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MEDIA PROGRAMME –Development Support & I2I

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MEDIA institutional structure

• The European Commission is responsible for the definition, budget and analysis of the MEDIA Programme

• The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) manages the MEDIA Programme on behalf and under the control of the European Commission

• The MEDIA Programme, as a unit of EACEA, is responsible for the implementation of the Call for Proposals

• Local Representation: MEDIA Desk and Antennae answer enquiries and explain the various funding opportunities and eligibility criteria

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DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT – THE AIM

• Promote the development of audiovisual production intended for European and international markets in the following categories: animation, creative documentary, fiction and interactive works.

• Support European producers by co-financing -> the artistic development (costs related to the writing process, author's rights acquisitions, research, travelling for location scouting, production of a teaser/demo/video treatment) -> the financing research (participation at markets, costs related to the search and identification of industry partners, co-producers and financiers).

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AVAILABLE BUDGET

BUDGET FOR 2011: 19 M €

• 6 M Slate Funding• 4 M Slate Funding 2nd stage

• 7 M Single Project• 2 M Interactive Works

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TYPES & AMOUNTS OF SUPPORT

Co-financing principle: max. support 50/60 %SINGLE PROJECTMin 10.000€ - Max 60.000€ / 80.000€ cinema animation

SLATE FUNDING (3-6 projects): Min 90.000€ - Max 190.000€, 10.000 to 60.000 per projectSLATE FUNDING 2nd stage (3-6 projects): Min 90.000€ - Max 190.000€

INTERACTIVE WORKS (complementing an audiovisual work)Min 10.000€ - Max 150.000€

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DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT –SELLING POINTS

- Development support is a GRANT (No interest, no repayment, no editorialcontrol, no territoriality of costs…)

- First payment is 70% of the support

! The only obligation is to provide a Final Financial Report with final certifiedaccounts

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CURRENT CALLS open since 29/9/2010:25/2010 (Single Project/Slate Funding) 26/2010 (Interactive Works)

Deadline11/04/2011

12 a.m. CET

ResultsSeptember 2011

contractingphase

November2011

payment 70%

Period of eligibility ends

30/11/2013(or enter intoproduction)

NEW CALLS TO BE PUBLISHED IN SEPTEMBER:Deadline 1 : November 2011Deadline 2 : April 2012

HOW TO APPLY:ONLINE APPLICATION

HOW TO APPLY = 2 STEPS

1. Submit online (master copy)2. Send application package (1 copy)

STEP 1

- Download the eFormhttp://ec.europa.eu/culture/media/programme/producer/develop/index_en.htm , save it and work offline- Attach 2 already prepared documents1)Detailed description of the project(s) in Word

or Pdf format2)Detailed budget(s) and sources of finance in

Excell format- Submit and wait for the confirmation e-mail

STEP 2

Send a paper application package by registered mail or private courier including:

- 1 copy of the duly filled in eForm

- 1 copy of the description of the project(s) and of thedetailed budget(s) and sources of finance

- 1 copy of the annexes requested in the checklist forapplication packages (signed declaration of honour, documents

concerning previous experience and ownership of rights...)

DO’S ☺

• Read at least the instructions on how to apply (1 page)• Use the relevant visual sample of eForm to prepare the

application • Contact on time the HelpDesk by e-mail if you encounter any

technical problem in downloading or submitting (e.g. provide a printscreen of the error message) EACEA-EXTERNAL-HELPDESK@ec.europa.eu

• Include key agreements or letters of interest as well as visual documents within the attachment concerning artistic material (! 5MB)

• Organise access to relevant supporting audiovisual material/visuals on one website

DONT’S

• Don’t wait the last minute to send the e-Form (next deadline 11/04/11 - 12:00 CET)

• Don’t forget to send the paper application package within the deadline (11/04/11)

• Don’t try to send more than 2 attachments to the e-Form

• Don’t forget that you must receive an electronic acknowledgement of receipt (check the contact e-mail address)

TO BE SELECTED:Fulfil Eligibility Criteria

1. TO BE AN INDEPENDENT EUROPEAN PRODUCTION COMPANY

2. TO HAVE THE REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

3. TO HOLD THE MAJORITY OF THE RIGHTS TO THE PROJECT(S)

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1. TO BE AN INDEPENDENT EUROPEAN PRODUCTION COMPANY

What is checked from the application documents?

• European shareholding

• Main activity is audiovisual production

• Registration date:

– 1 year Single Project – 3 years Slate Funding/Slate Funding 2nd stage– New companies only for Interactive Works

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2. TO BE EXPERIENCED

FOR SINGLE PROJECT:Proof of completion of a previous work that has been distributed during the period between 1 January 2008 and the date of submission.

FOR SLATE FUNDING:Proof of completion of at least two previous works that have been INTERNATIONALLY distributed and produced within 5 yearsbefore the date of submission

FOR SLATE FUNDING 2nd stage:- Beneficiary of a Slate Funding or Slate Funding 2nd Stage agreement

signed in the course of 2005-2009 (ineligible if beneficiary in 2010) - At least one of the supported project has entered into production

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3. TO HOLD THE MAJORITY OF THE RIGHTS TO THE PROJECT(S)

• A contract duly signed and dated by the author(s) covering the rights to the artistic material must be provided. This must cover at least the ownership of rights to the concept, subject, treatment, script or bible through:

- an option agreement concerning the transfer of rights between the author and the applicant company

- a contract transferring the rights from the author to the applicant company.

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FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY CHECKS

You are Eligible the application is sent to minimum two/threedifferent experts for the award criteriaassessment + panel of experts

You are non eligiblepre-information e-mail is sent to applicant

HOW TO BE SELECTED?

Understand correspondance between requested information/ How this information is assessed

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Single Projects – Award Criteria

Criteria relating to the applicant company Criteria relating to the submitted project

Criteria Weighting Criteria Weighting

Quality of the development strategy

10 Quality of the project 40

Consistency of the development budget

10 Potential for production and the feasibility of the project

10

Quality of the financing strategy

10 Potential for European and international distribution

10

Quality of the distribution strategy

10

Total 40 points Total 60 points

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Slate Funding/Slate Funding 2nd stage –Award Criteria

Criteria relating to the applicant company

Criteria relating to the submitted project

Criteria Weighting Criteria Weighting

Capacity of the company to develop and produce at a European level

15/30 Quality of the projects 10

Quality of the development strategy and consistency of the development budget

15/10 Potential of the creative team 10

Quality of the financing strategy

15/10 Potential for production and the feasibility of the project

10

Quality of the distribution strategy

15/10 Potential for European and international distribution

10

Total 60 points Total 40 points

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Quality of the project

Evaluation and score are based on1. originality, premise and strength of idea2. quality of the writing, the character development and the

world of the story3. creative potential of the project taking into consideration the

specific approach suggested, the creative team and the likelihood to succeed due to artistic qualities • fiction: quality of the dramatic potential and narrative

choices• creative documentary: strength of subject matter, purpose

and quality of the project focus, quality of the visual approach, the research work, the expressed point of view

• animation: quality of the visual approach and art work

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Some Advises on the Quality of the Project

• Main grounds for rejection:

- A lack of information/details- A lack of focus- A lack of European appeal (a too local/ specific topic/too

national oriented)

• Quality of project is over estimated• Quality of translation• Access to persons and/or locations crucial in some projects and should be

addressed in the application

Quality of the Development Strategy

Key Aspects:• The Adequacy to the needs of the project• The Sufficiency of detail• The Potential of creative team

Information to be provided:• A description of the foreseen activities • A development schedule until the start of production

-> scriptwriting, script editing, research work, choice of the director, casting, scheduled start of production

• A description of the team experience and optional supporting document: a statement of intent of the producer

Some advises on the Quality of the Development Strategy

• Be clear and structure the information: - By type of action: research, scouting, script, partners etc.- By chronological order: what has been done before submission + month

by month until production

• Be detailed (include all necessary steps)

• Identify specifically project’s needs (each project is unique)

• Be realistic (foresee enough time)

= Show a careful thought

Quality of the Financing Strategy

Key Aspects:• Adequacy to the estimated production costs• Awareness of the potential partners and territories• Sufficiency and realism of detail• Co-financing capacity of the company

Information to be provided:• a description of the strategy to finance the development & production including

financial main options, initial financial elements in place or to be confirmed • countries considered important in terms of a possible co-production• letters of interest for co-development/co-production/pre-sale/ distribution

Some advises concerning theFinancing Strategy

• Structure the information and show awareness of possible sources:

- By phases: development and production- By sources: regional, national, European, international - By type: public/private, pitching forums, co-producers, broadcasters

• Be concrete: avoid vague/unspecific/generic sentences

• Be realistic, reasonable, consistent in terms of feasability, according to your experience

• Quality & relevance of mentioned partners is assessed

• Foresee different options /alternatives

• Explain if a European co-production element is not sought

Quality of the Distribution Strategy

Key Aspects:• Knowledge-Awareness of the markets/marketing potential• European / International vision• Target audience (sufficiency of info on the identification)• Choice of territories (relevance)

Information to be provided:• A description of the planned strategy at national and European level• Clear identification of markets and of audience groups (age, slots ...)• Countries for the distribution • Demonstration of established contacts through letters of interest for co-

development/ co-production/ pre-sale/ distribution

Some Advises on the Quality of the Distribution Strategy

• Describe well & sufficiently (structure, bespecific)

• Don’t be too nationally oriented• Show awareness identifying clear markets and

audience groups• Demonstrate established contacts with both

sales and distribution companies or at least relevant knowledge/awareness

Specific for Slate Funding & Slate Funding 2nd stage

Evaluation and score take into account:• the track record of the company and/or the experience

of its members• the position of the company on the European market• the capacity in terms of management concerning the

simultaneous development of a slate of projects

Specific advises for Slate Funding applications

• Each project needs proper/specific strategies (no copy/paste)• Propose a diverse and balanced slate• All projects by same team is not very credible• Provide sufficient artistic material of each project• Envisage different production planning for each project• Structure the application: presentation of each project could

follow the same pattern• Reflection on number of projects/requested amount and the

size of the company• Don’t rely only on names and track record• Too many debuts as writer & director might be an handicap

Examples of Bad Strategies …

• Generic/unspecific sentences– “We are aiming at international audience.”– We will make approaches to European producers, broadcasters and private

industry to explore potential partnering opportunities for development whichlead to production support.

– “Thanks to our important experience in producing first films, we are convinced that we can use the right persons to structure and develop the scenario the best way.”

– The step is to find strong relation with distributor– We would like to establish strong relation with UK…– We will dedicate a particular attention to international festivals

• Letters of interest following the same model• “We have a good script” but it is not included in the application• “Our usual way” – describe it!• If strategies are not in place yet= Too early submission• Lazy/sloppy applications with thin material

i2i AUDIOVISUAL

MEDIA Programme 2007-2013i2i AUDIOVISUAL

Objectives

I2I support is addressed to European Independent Audiovisual Production Companies and aims to:• Facilitate their access to external financing:

Banks and other financial institutions By• Co-financing the costs of guarantees required by

such institutions and the bank financing costs

AVAILABLE 2011 BUDGET AND FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

• AVAILABLE BUDGET 3 M €

• TYPE OF SUPPORT: GRANT70% upon signature of the EACEA agreement30% after submission of the final report

• AMOUNT: between 5.000 € and 50.000 €up to 50% of the eligible costs

Priorities are:

• Support for Insurance costs• Support for Completion Guarantee costs• Support for Financial Costs related to bank

financing agreement

• Modules may be combined

Grant for what exactly?

Who can apply?

• European Audiovisual ProductionCompany

• Max 2 applications per company in the framework of the same call for proposals

Who can apply in case of co-production ?

Either the majority co-producer (if necessary with the co-producers costs)

Or

The co-producer that bears the costs

For what kind of project?

- Drama 50’, creative documentary25’, animation 24’ for theatricalrelease or television broadcast- European Project: * With a significant Europeanparticipation* Min 50% of the Production Budget

financed by European sources

How to be selected ? Award Criteria

Projects benefiting from MEDIA Development ,Single or Slate for Countries with Low Audiovisual Capacity, or Single projects for the rest

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Projects with a credit agreement 10

Projects from countries with low audiovisual capacity 10

Projects from the new Member States 5

Projects with a European dimension: more than one country involved in the production

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And then, if necessary:

Co-production covering more than one country participating in the MEDIA Programme: 1 point per country

1 point per territory

If there are still more projects with the same number of points,than the budget available

International distribution Potential 0-5

Call for Proposals 27/2010(published on 10/11/10)

Deadline 1: 07/01/2011 – 1.5MFor projects which start between 01/06/2010 and 10/01/2011

Deadline 2: 06/06/2011 – 1.5MFor projects which start between 01/12/2010 and 06/06/2011

NEW CALL FORESEEN IN OCTOBER