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LEGISLATION Europe

Mariya Gabriel announces new digital MEDIA initiatives

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- EU Digital Commissioner to create an online directory of European content available on legal on-demand services

Mariya Gabriel announces new digital MEDIA initiatives
(l-r) SACD general director Pascal Rogard, EU Digital Commissioner Mariya Gabriel and MEP Viviane Reding

The European Commissioner for Digital, Mariya Gabriel, intends to promote Europe's film heritage and create an online directory of European content available on legal on-demand services.

Speaking at the opening of the conference on cultural diversity in the digital age organised by the CEDC (European Coalitions for Cultural Diversity) on 24 January in the European Parliament, Mariya Gabriel presented the pillars of her new "digital agenda for culture.” "Digital is an inexhaustible resource for promoting our cultural diversity and values," she stated. “The #Digital4Culture strategy aims to support our creative industry by building a single digital market with a human face to it." 

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Given that 2018 is the European Year of Cultural Heritage, we intend on setting up a European Film Week focusing on heritage films, a program that will also be made available to schools across the EU to promote film education. 

Among the most interesting initiatives unveiled by the commissioner is an online directory project providing access to a catalogue of European content. "It could be used as a B-to-B tool, allowing professionals to know where their films are being used and accessed, it could also inform the consumer about availability and legal access to content," she indicated. The initiative is inspired by the platform set up in France by the CNC (click here), providing access via just "two clicks" to all legal French content.

The European strategy will also focus on the definition and implementation of innovative production models, the exploitation of big data in production and distribution and the development and support of young talent through the mentoring of experienced professionals. Mariya Gabriel would also like to create a financial mechanism on the basis of a public/private partnership, able to support large-scale film projects.

The Digital Commissioner finally stated that the MEDIA program was "a real success story," even if some reform is necessary to refocus the mechanisms, which are too numerous, on more strategic objectives. "I will defend the MEDIA budget all the way," she then promised that a public consultation has been initiated concerning the place of cultural programs in the future EU budget framework beyond 2020.

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(Translated from French)

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