Brussels, 02/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - Experts from the southern Mediterranean have mooted the idea of creating a regional network for collecting data on the region's film sector. The idea was put forward following a Euromed audiovisual meeting in Casablanca, in collaboration with the European Audiovisual Observatory. The recommendations will be presented to the southern Mediterranean states, the European Union and also to professional organisations and companies. They underline the importance of economic transparency and the need for permanent data collection for the countries of that region.
During the meeting in Casablanca, the most urgent issue identified was that of information on the transition to digitisation. While the digitisation of cinemas in Europe is making significant progress with over 70% of cinemas now digital, the process has barely begun in the countries of the southern Mediterranean region. This is likely to increase the difficulty of circulating films between Europe and the Arab countries, which is already low. Participants at the meeting also decided to develop a feasibility study to be published at the end of 2013. The study will propose the creation of a permanent network of regional experts to continue with data collection in the region. (IL/transl.jl)