Creative Europe MEDIA strand

Creative Europe MEDIA strand is sponsored by European Commission. The MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe programme supports the European film and audiovisual industries to develop, distribute and promote European works, taking into account today's digital environment.

Creative Europe MEDIA Programme | Shaping Europe’s digital future Creative Europe MEDIA Programme The MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe programme is designed to support European film and other audiovisual industries. What is Creative Europe MEDIA Programme? Creative Europe is the EU programme supporting the cultural and creative sectors .

With a budget of €2. 44 billion for 2021-2027, the programme is investing in actions that reinforce cultural diversity and respond to the needs and challenges of the cultural and creative sectors. It contributes to the recovery of these sectors after the COVID crisis, reinforcing their efforts to become more digital, greener, more resilient and more inclusive.

The programme is split in three different strands: MEDIA , CULTURE and CROSS-SECTORAL . In 2026, the MEDIA strand marks its 35th anniversary of support to European audiovisual content. MEDIA has consistently aimed to serve the double objective of promoting, cultural diversity and strengthening the competitiveness of the audiovisual industry.

The programme continues to adapt to technological developments and changing consumption habits, covering film, television, video games and immersive content. The success of the MEDIA programme paves the way to the proposed AgoraEU programme for 2028-2034, which strengthens the support to the audiovisual industry as well as the news media sector through its MEDIA+ strand.

The MEDIA strand focuses on: encouraging cooperation both across the value chain and at EU level in order to scale up audio-visual enterprises and European content globally; nurturing talents , wherever they come from, and broadening participation and collaboration across countries; enhancing global circulation , promotion and distribution of European audiovisual works, taking into account the new digital environment; supporting the engagement and development of audiences of all ages, in particular young audiences, across Europe and beyond.

Since 2021, to ensure more flexibility in the actions supported and to encourage cooperation among the different parts of the audiovisual value-chain, the priorities are structured around 4 clusters: Content : encouraging collaboration and innovation in the creation and production of high-quality works.

Business : promoting business innovation, competitiveness, scalability and talents to strengthen Europe’s industry vis-à-vis global competitors. Audience : strengthening the accessibility and visibility of works for their potential audiences, through distribution channels and audience development initiatives. Policy: supporting policy discussion/exchange fora, studies and reports.

Promoting awareness-raising activities. Creative Europe MEDIA open calls Creative Europe MEDIA reports Facebook: @CreativeEuropeEU CreativeEurope MEDIA on X Six EU-supported films awarded at 2026 Cannes Film Festival, including prestigious Palme d'Or Six EU funded films have received awards at the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, which closed on Saturday 23 May.

Executive Vice-President Virkkunen in Cannes to support 19 EU-backed films and engage with audiovisual industry Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, is attending the Cannes Film Festival this year to engage with the audiovisual industry on media policy.

Oscars 2026: EU-funded ‘Sentimental Value’ wins award for Best International Feature Film On Sunday 15 March, the winners of the 98th Academy Awards were announced. Six EU-funded films nominated for 15 awards at the Oscars Six of the films competing for the gold-plated statuettes in the 98th Academy Awards have been supported by the EU's Creative Europe MEDIA programme.

Audiovisual Media Services Directive - AVMSD The EU's Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) governs EU-wide coordination of national legislation on all audiovisual media — traditional TV broadcasts and on-demand services. Creative Europe MEDIA — Supporting high-quality audiovisual content The creation and production of high-quality content is the foundation of the European audiovisual...

Creative Europe MEDIA — Supporting a holistic European audiovisual policy A common European approach to the main audiovisual policy issues is essential for the consolidation... Creative Europe MEDIA — Supporting audience development for European audiovisual content The MEDIA programme will support innovative ways of engaging with audience at all levels to ensure...

Creative Europe MEDIA — Supporting business innovation in audiovisual The MEDIA programme will support the audiovisual sector to create a business environment that can...