01/11/2023 - The director of the European Film Academy offers some insights into the second edition of the promotional project and shares his long-term plans for it

We sat down with Matthijs Wouter Knol, CEO and Director of the European Film Academy, to delve into the new edition of the Month of European Film, an initiative launched in 2022 to celebrate the diversity of European film in the run-up to the European Film Awards. Kicking off on 1 November, this extensive programme will travel to more than 40 countries, with screenings of European films, special events and dedicated retrospectives organised by a wide network of partner cinemas across 70 European cities (read news). Knol shared with us the main outcomes of the project and elaborated on his long-term vision for its future.

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Cineuropa: What would you say were the highlights of the Month of European Film last year?
Matthijs Wouter Knol: It was the first time we’d launched a pan-European edition, establishing partnerships with cinemas in 35 cities across Europe. The first thing I would highlight is the number of ideas that emerged from all the different cinemas. Beyond showing European films, some partners seized the opportunity to host retrospectives, school screenings, and special programs tailored for both elderly and young audiences. It created a community of cinema owners who inspired each other. Another important outcome was that audiences felt something special was going on in these cinemas, which led to an increase in admissions. Lastly, the European Film Academy clearly showed that we’ve stepped away from only organising a weekend for the European Film Awards. We’ve expanded the project and set up collaborations with cinemas in small towns all over Europe. This offers an opportunity for partners to align their efforts with the European Film Academy and the European Film Awards, thereby enhancing their visibility.

What can we expect from the second edition?
The format will be quite similar, but we've significantly expanded the number of cinemas compared to the previous edition, encompassing 75 cities across 40 countries. However, it’s important to note that the European Film Academy doesn't decide on the programme. We actively encourage cinemas to curate the content which they believe best serves their audiences. That means that we don’t cover the costs of the screenings either. Our primary role is to promote and support their initiatives, ensuring a cohesive sense of connection under the umbrella of the Month of European Film.

Besides expanding the number of partner cinemas, what are your long-term goals for this project?
We see opportunities for cinemas beyond Europe to join the project. Why not host a Month of European Film in cities like New York or Shanghai? There are audiences for European films there too. Our long-term goal is to establish a broader, more global event, which will still culminate in the European Film Awards ceremony. By expanding the project, we’re creating a longer window for promoting European films, which also facilitates greater media coverage for these titles. Promotion and marketing budgets are usually very fragmented in Europe because they’re focused on national releases. We believe that some titles are better served by a more pan-European approach. In 2026, we plan to move the awards ceremony to January, potentially transforming the Month of European Film into an entire season. This could help rights holders, distributors, sales agents, and producers to align their efforts during the international awards season.

The final nominees for the 2023 European Film Awards are yet to be announced, but we can confirm two of the honorary winners: Vanessa Redgrave and Béla Tarr. Could you shed some light on the selection process?
Each year, the European Film Academy's Board, representing all the various members in Europe, gathers to select the recipients of the three honorary awards [the prize for European Achievement in World Cinema will be announced in mid-November]. It's important that these three names represent people coming from different territories, generations, and backgrounds. The European Film Academy is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women in the film industry. After Márta Mészáros in 2021 and Margarethe von Trotta in 2022, this year we’re paying homage to Vanessa Redgrave. For the new Board, this has become a priority which is likely to continue in the future.