EP initiatives for cinema reminded in 65th Mostra

Europarliament Cultural Committee chairwoman in a series of meetings with Venice officials

Venice. The significance of the EU Media Programme for Cinema, as one of the most important cultural industries, was stretched out by the chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education Mrs Katerina Batzeli, who visited Venice during the 65th International Film Festival that closed successfully September 6, 2008.

In a number of meetings with the director of the Mostra Marco Müller, the Venice Biennale President Paolo Baratta, Venice Mayor Massimo Cacciari and the president of the European Cinema Network A. Borher, the Europarliament representative said that “the European cultural industry (of cinema) underlines the importance of Intercultural Dialogue between the European regions and with third countries, as well as the existing social diversity”.

The Media Programme is encouraging filmmakers to engage in international projects in the European regions in order to facilitate film distribution. For that reason, the Media is using various other programmes like Cinema Mediterranea, Media Mundus and Media International.

The Media Programme has already financed the networking for 379 cinema theatres in 53 countries and has funded 14 films, two of which have been nominated for the US Academy Awards, while the European Parliament has introduced the Lux Prize for European Cinema, Mrs Batzeli said underlining the importance of cinema for the cultural dimension of Europe.