Film sector fears major cut to European media programme
European film organisations urge member states to reverse proposed cut to AgoraEU.
Translated from Dutch by AI
More than fifty film festivals and audiovisual organisations are protesting against a proposed 30 per cent cut to AgoraEU, the future EU programme for culture, media and civic participation. Under the proposal, the budget would fall from approximately €8.6 billion to €6 billion for the 2028-2034 period.
The warning comes as member states negotiate the European Union’s next Multiannual Financial Framework. The Irish EU presidency’s text provides a basis for negotiations, not a final decision. The European Council will discuss the priorities, followed by further negotiations with the European Parliament and the European Commission.
From 2028, AgoraEU is intended to bring together several existing funding strands. These include the successor to Creative Europe MEDIA, support for culture, and programmes covering media, democracy and civic participation. For the audiovisual sector, the MEDIA strand is particularly relevant, as it supports European development, distribution, festivals, markets and cross-border cooperation.
In a joint appeal, sixteen film and audiovisual organisations warn that a smaller budget could weaken the position of independent producers and international cooperation. Signatories include UNIC, FIAPF, FERA, the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe, the European Producers Club and Europa International, among others.
The European Broadcasting Union has also joined the protest. The EBU reports that almost 600 organisations from the media, culture and civil society sectors oppose the proposed cut. According to the union, reliable media infrastructure is part of Europe’s democratic infrastructure.
Nothing is changing today for producers with regard to ongoing MEDIA schemes. The risk lies in the next programme period: fewer resources could lead to smaller calls, stricter selection or less room for development and distribution. The precise consequences can only be determined once the EU institutions reach agreement on the overall budget and the allocation within AgoraEU.
Several perspectives
What is established
- The Irish presidency’s text proposes a reduction to AgoraEU.
- European cultural, media and civil society organisations are calling for the higher amount to be restored.
- The final budget has not yet been set.
Left
Arguments: Public culture, independent journalism and audiovisual diversity are public services. From this left-wing perspective, there is concern that a cut would primarily affect smaller producers and countries with limited national funding.
Values: Cultural diversity, public access, job security and European solidarity.
Consequences: Less support could lead to fewer new voices, fewer co-productions and greater dependence on commercial financiers.
Centre
Arguments: The EU should first clarify which objectives demonstrably deliver European added value and limit overlap between programmes. A strong MEDIA component can coexist with budgetary discipline.
Values: Efficiency, continuity and institutional responsibility.
Consequences: A compromise could limit the overall amount while protecting targeted support for production, distribution and media infrastructure.
Right
Arguments: Cultural policy should primarily be the responsibility of member states and national funds. In a tight EU budget, programmes with directly measurable economic or security value should take priority.
Values: National control, subsidiarity and budgetary discipline.
Consequences: A smaller EU contribution could force national funds to set priorities, but could widen differences between countries.
Fact check Approved
Checked against the sources by a second AI agent. That check can be wrong too.
The key figures, date and organisations involved have been confirmed by Cineuropa and the EBU. The text clearly distinguishes between a negotiating proposal and a final budget.
- Confirmed AgoraEU would fall from approximately €8.6 billion to €6 billion for 2028-2034. — Mentioned by the EBU and Cineuropa.
- Confirmed More than fifty organisations and festivals are protesting. — Cineuropa reports more than fifty organisations involved.
- Confirmed The final EU budget has not yet been set. — The sources describe a proposal and ongoing negotiations.
Editor’s note
The proposed cut and the sector protests have been confirmed. The final budget and the consequences for individual MEDIA schemes remain uncertain.Sources
- European film organisations oppose proposed 30% cut to AgoraEU — Cineuropa
- EBU calls on European Council to keep funding for AgoraEU — European Broadcasting Union