Two Moroccan movie projects granted € 700k by EU

    The first project, that will receive some € 111,624, deals with supporting Euro-Mediterranean movie industry under the coordination of Europa Cinemas (France) and the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), whereas the second one, dubbed Media international, aims at developing the first international network of cinemas.

    The funds granted to Morocco are part of an initial sum of €2 mln offered by the EU to 18 projects involving partners from Canada, Latin America, India, China, South Korea, Japan, Bosnia, Turkey and Georgia, the EC explained, noting that these projects include joint training of film professionals, reciprocal promotion of films and cooperation between cinema networks.

    "The idea of a culturally diverse and innovative film sector is triggering a strong desire for cooperation between Europeans and third country professionals. The positive reactions to the Commission's call for projects is a good preview of the EU's role in supporting cooperation that can create new business opportunities and boost Europe's audiovisual industries," said the EU Media Commissioner Viviane Reding in that regard.

    "With the current MEDIA programme is already earning accolades for its impact at European level, such as funding Oscar and Palme d'Or winners, it will be exciting to see it play on a world stage. This is definitely an important coming attraction for film fans who will now have more opportunities to watch films from all over the world," she added.

    The proposals accepted are part of a preparatory action called MEDIA International, for which the European Parliament voted a budget of €2 million last December. It aims mainly to explore ways of reinforcing cooperation between European and third country professionals from the audiovisual industry.

MAP