Eighteen films supported by the European Commission’s MEDIA programme participated in the Cannes Film Festival’s ‘Official Selection’ this year, of which seven are in competition for the Palme d’Or. During the Festival, Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, awarded the first ‘Prix MEDIA’ to Iranian film-maker Asghar Farhadi and his French producer Memento Films Production. The prize includes a grant of € 60 000 for the development of Farhadi’s new film, which will be shot in Paris and its suburbs this autumn.
The Commissioner, together with the President of the Cannes Film Festival, Gilles Jacob, also hosted a public debate discussing the Commission’s proposed new ‘Creative Europe’ programme, which includes MEDIA, with film directors and professionals. The new programme, which focuses on the cultural and creative sectors, has received strong support from EU Culture and Audiovisual Ministers.
European Commission Press Release, 16 May 2012
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