European Film sales agent

Overview

The European Film Sales grant, under the Creative Europe Programme, focuses on enhancing the transnational distribution of non-national European films by supporting sales agents. This initiative allows eligible applicants, specifically European sales agents involved in film marketing and licensing, to obtain grants up to €750,000 for their projects. Eligible applicants must be legal entities established in certain countries, predominantly EU member states, EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), and candidate countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia), with Montenegro excluded as of February 2024.

Applications are limited to single entities; consortiums are not permitted. The primary funding mechanism is grants intended for reinvestment in film distribution activities, emphasizing the commercialization stage of projects. The application process is structured as an open call with a single-stage submission requirement. Grants cover 70% of eligible costs, requiring applicants to co-fund 30%.

This funding aims to incentivize sales agents based on their market performance, enabling them to reinvest in the acquisition, promotion, and distribution of European films. The call was published on December 3, 2024, with a submission deadline of June 19, 2025, and an evaluation period extending from July to October 2025. The total budget allocated to the initiative is €5,150,000.

Two information sessions are scheduled: one at the Marche’ du Film in Cannes on May 16, 2025, and another online on June 5, 2025. Applicants can access necessary documents and details about eligibility and submission through the Funding & Tenders Portal, where they will also find guidance on application requirements and instructions for proposal submission.

This program aims to strengthen the links between production and distribution, ultimately enhancing the competitive position of European films in the global market. Interested applicants should closely review the call documents and participate in the information sessions to ensure comprehensive understanding and compliance with application guidelines.

Detail

The European Film Sales 2025 call, under the Creative Europe MEDIA Programme (CREA2027), aims to improve the transnational distribution of recent non-national European films, increase investment in their production, acquisition, promotion, and distribution (theatrical and online), and develop links between the production and distribution sectors to enhance the competitive position of these films. The call is managed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

The call follows a two-phase activity structure. Phase 1 involves generating a potential fund based on the company's performance in the European market. Phase 2 requires reinvesting this fund into minimum guarantees or advances for international sales rights on eligible non-national European films, as well as their promotion, marketing, and advertising.

The call was published on December 3, 2024, and the deadline for submitting applications is June 19, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. The evaluation period is scheduled from July to October 2025, with information to applicants expected in December 2025. The grant agreement is planned for signature in March 2026.

The total budget allocated to the CREA-MEDIA-2025-FILMSALES topic is EUR 5,150,000. The call is structured as a single-stage submission process, and the opening date for submissions was April 29, 2025.

Two information sessions are scheduled: one in person at Marche’ du Film in Cannes on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the European Pavilion, Creative Europe MEDIA Stand number 124, Village International, and another online on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 2:30 PM CET, accessible via a provided link. Slides from the online session will be published online, and the session will not be recorded. Registration is not required for either session.

The admissibility conditions, eligible countries, other eligible conditions, financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria, submission and evaluation processes, award criteria, scoring and thresholds, indicative timeline, and legal and financial setup of the grants are all described in the call document.

Applicants must adhere to the proposal page limits and layout described in Part B of the Application Form, available in the Submission System.

Required documents include the call document, standard application form (CREA MEDIA) available in the Submission System, a list of films (CREA MEDIA FILMSALES), a declaration on independence and ownership (CREA MEDIA), a PDF with information about films/works generated from the Creative Europe MEDIA Database, and official box office evidence if the eligible film is not in the Creative Europe Media Database. Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include the CREA MGA. Additional documents include CREA Annual Work Programmes, CREA Regulation 2021/818, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The Funding & Tenders Portal provides access to the Electronic Submission Service. LEARs, Account Administrators, and users with public profiles can publish partner requests.

For assistance, applicants can contact their local Creative Europe Desks, the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, or the IT Helpdesk. An Online Manual is also available.

In summary, this call aims to bolster the European film industry by supporting the transnational distribution of non-national European films. It provides funding to sales agents based on their market performance, which they must then reinvest in acquiring, promoting, and distributing eligible films. The call seeks to strengthen the links between film production and distribution, ultimately enhancing the competitiveness of European films in the global market. Interested applicants should carefully review the call documents and annexes, attend the information sessions, and submit their applications by the deadline through the Funding & Tenders Portal.

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Breakdown

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given the context of "European Film Sales" and "Creative Europe MEDIA," it can be inferred that eligible applicants are likely companies involved in film sales, distribution, and potentially production. Further details would be available in the call document.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a "CREA Project Grant" (CREA-PJG) and a "CREA Action Grant Budget-Based [CREA-AG]".

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. The partner search announcements suggest that collaboration is possible, but it is not mandatory. The call document would provide definitive information.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. However, given the name "European Film Sales," it is highly likely that the beneficiary scope includes entities from the EU and potentially other countries participating in the Creative Europe program. The "Eligible Countries" section refers to the call document for details.

Target Sector: The target sector is clearly the film industry, specifically focusing on the sales and distribution of non-national European films. The program aims to improve the trans-national distribution, increase investment, and develop links between production and distribution within this sector.

Mentioned Countries: The text mentions France, specifically the city of Cannes, as the location for an information session at Marche’ du Film.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on the distribution and sales phase of films, rather than earlier stages like research or development. The activities involve generating funds based on market performance and reinvesting in international sales rights, promotion, and marketing.

Funding Amount: The total budget for the topic CREA-MEDIA-2025-FILMSALES is EUR 5,150,000. The indicative number of grants is not specified in the provided text.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, as indicated by "Open For Submission" and the single-stage deadline model.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant, which is to be reinvested in activities related to film sales and distribution.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage, meaning applicants submit a complete proposal by the deadline.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for proposals under the Creative Europe MEDIA program, specifically targeting European film sales. The call, titled "European Film Sales (CREA-MEDIA-2025-FILMSALES)," aims to improve the trans-national distribution of recent non-national European films, increase investment in their production, acquisition, promotion, and distribution, and foster connections between the production and distribution sectors. The funding mechanism is a grant, and the application process is a single-stage open call.

The funded activities are structured in two phases: first, the generation of a potential fund based on the company's performance in the European market; and second, the reinvestment of this fund in minimum guarantees or advances for international sales rights, promotion, marketing, and advertising of eligible films.

The call was published on December 3, 2024, and the deadline for submitting applications is June 19, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. The evaluation period is scheduled from July to October 2025, with information to applicants expected in December 2025 and the signature of grant agreements in March 2026.

Interested applicants can find more information and access the application form through the Funding & Tenders Portal. The call document and annexes provide detailed conditions, eligibility criteria, and submission guidelines. Two information sessions are planned: one in person at Marche’ du Film in Cannes on May 16, 2025, and another online on June 5, 2025. These sessions are open to all potential applicants and do not require registration.

Short Summary

Impact
The grant aims to enhance the transnational distribution of non-national European films by supporting sales agents based on their performance, allowing them to reinvest in acquiring and promoting films.
Applicant
Applicants need to be European sales agents specializing in marketing and licensing films to distributors, established in eligible countries and majority-owned by nationals from those countries.
Developments
Funding will support the distribution and sales phase of films, focusing on the commercialization of non-national European films.
Applicant Type
This funding is designed for European sales agents, which are legal entities involved in film sales and distribution.
Consortium
Only single applicants are allowed; consortium applications are excluded.
Funding Amount
The maximum funding per project is €750,000.
Countries
Eligible countries include EU member states, EEA countries like Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and candidate countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
Industry
This funding targets the film distribution sector within the cultural industry.

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