MEDIA Desk - Bulgaria

MEDIA is a six year programme of the European Union to strengthen the competitiveness of the European film, TV and new media industries and to increase international circulation of European audiovisual product.

MEDIA Plus commenced on 1 January 2001 and will run to 31 December 2006. With a budget of €513 million MEDIA Plus supports professional training (screenwriting, business and new technologies), project development (single/slate), and the distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works.

MEDIA Plus's predecessor, MEDIA 2, has been hailed as a great success - the proportion of European films distributed outside their country of origin has increased from 14% in 1996 to over 22% in 1999. Over 60% of European films that are distributed outside their country of origin are supported by MEDIA.

Independent production and distribution companies can apply for development or distribution funding in the form of grants and interest free loans. Financial assistance is available for training providers and organisers of markets and festivals. Individuals may also benefit from subsidised places on training courses and international markets.

Practitioners in the audiovisual industry such as producers of film, television, animation, new media companies, distribution and sales companies and also 'enabling' organisations such as training bodies or film schools, promotional events or festival organisers.

Deadlines for the various schemes run throughout the year. You can download guidelines and application forms from this site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/media/index_en.html

The information desk of MEDIA Programme for Bulgaria is located at 2A, Dondukov blvd., last floor, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria (enter from the church yard of St. George Rotunda).