Brussels, 17/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - In an open letter to ministers responsible for cinema in the member states, cinema professionals denounce the European Union's increasing interference in the European cinema sector and called for a flexible scheme to be maintained, which respects cultural diversity and ensures the safeguarding of the sector. In their letter, cinema professionals explained that certain individuals at the European Commission are threatening the future of the cinema industry and undermining the freedom of member states to decide themselves how they wish to support the European cinema industry.
The Union Internationale des Cinémas, Art Cinema and Europa Cinemas criticised the European Commission's “media chronology” as promoted by Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes. During a roundtable on 9 October 2012, Kroes defended the concept of releasing films in cinemas simultaneously with Video on Demand (VOD). Despite arguments against, put forward by many sector professionals attending, Kroes and Commissioner for culture Androulla Vassiliou published a press release in which they alleged that meeting participants had adopted the Commissioner's ideas, which the signatories of the open letter strongly deny. They also denounce the new funding system launched by the MEDIA programme, following the European Parliament initiative, which encourages the release of films by VOD before they are released in the cinema. Cinema exhibitors claimed that this project damages the European cinema industry at both economic and cultural levels. Jan Runge, UNIC presidident, declared that that their aim was to “raise awareness of the fact that EU policy makers are increasingly promoting their personal views on when, where and how the film sector 'should' release its titles”. Runge said such ministerial views “differ significantly from those of a majority of film and cinema professionals in Europe” and that “they are not based on evidence”. The sector is therefore urging ministers responsible for cultural affairs to stay on guard and closely follow the most recent developments in this sector, so that they really do benefit the European cinema industry. (IL/transl.fl)