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Euromed Cinemas supports 27 releases of Mediterranean and European films

Support

03 11 2008

During its recent 11th Expert Committee meeting, with the aim of improving the distribution and reach of films in the Mediterranean countries and EU Member States, Euromed Cinemas resolved to support 27 film releases with a total of 256,400 euro.

The support was given as follows:
14 releases of Mediterranean films to be exhibited in the European Union;
7 releases of Mediterranean films to be screened in the Mediterranean region; and
6 releases of European films to be showcased in the Mediterranean region.

The supported Mediterranean films to be screened in the EU are: Captain Abu Raed by Amin Matalqua (JO); Waltz with Bashir by Ari Folman (IL/FR/DE/US); Je veux voir by J.Hadjithomas & K.Joreige (LB/FR); and Three Monkeys by Nuri Bilge Ceylan (TR/FR/IT).

Support for the screening of Mediterranean films in the Mediterranean countries goes to: Beyrouth Ville Ouverte by Samir Habchi (LB/EG); Al Rais Omar Harb by Khaled Youssef (EG); Hena Maisara by Khaled Youssef (EG); Sous les bombes by Philippe Aractingi (LB/FR/GB); Cabaret by Sameh Abdel Aziz (EG); and Waltz with Bashir by Ari Folman (IL/FR/DE/US).

Finally, support for the exhibition of European films in the Mediterranean countries goes to: Gomorrah by Matteo Garrone (IT); Sztuczki by Andrzej Jakimowski (PL); Un conte de Noel by Arnaud Desplechin (FR); The broken by Sean Ellis (GB/FR); Le deuxième souffle by Alain Corneau (FR); and Entre les murs by Laurent Cantet (FR).

Thanks to the visibility and awareness-raising activities of Euromed Cinemas over the last 3 years, including in countries of northern and Eastern Europe, distributors from these countries are beginning to show a certain interest in Mediterranean films. Indeed, at the most recent meeting of the Expert Committee, Euromed Cinemas decided to support the release of the films Three Monkeys by Nuri Bilge Ceylan and Waltz with Bashir by Ari Folman in three Baltic countries, namely: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Moreover, with support for a new release in Hungary of the film Waltz with Bashir by Ari Folman, the interest by the distributors and the public of the eastern European Union countries is further confirmed.

The 12th Expert Committee is due to meet in early January 2009 to examine proposed film releases between 15 January and 15 March 2009. The deadline for applying to the upcoming final Expert Committee is 28 November 2008.

Euromed Cinemas is a project of the EU-funded regional programme Euromed Audiovisual II which supports the distribution and exhibition of Mediterranean and European films.