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Strategic Analysis
This call targets independent European production companies to develop a mini-slate of 2-3 audiovisual works, emphasizing high creative value, cultural diversity, and strong cross-border exploitation potential. A winning proposal will demonstrate a robust development strategy, including early-stage marketing and distribution plans, and a clear commitment to integrating sustainability, gender balance, and inclusion across all project phases.
Support will be given to independent European production companies able to develop a slate of 2 to 3 audiovisual works (fiction, animation, creative documentary).
This should allow production companies to reduce risks and increase their capacity to attract and retain talents.
The European mini-slate development shall provide support to the development of minimum 2 and maximum 3 works for commercial exploitation intended for cinema release, television broadcasting or commercial exploitation on digital platforms or a multi-platform environment in the following categories: animation, creative documentary or fiction.
Applicants may add a short film by emerging talent to their slate (optional).
The aim is to provide funds to audiovisual production companies to develop work with high creative value and cultural diversity and wide cross-border exploitation potential.
Companies are encouraged to develop strategies for marketing and distribution from the outset of the development phase thus improving the potential to reach audiences at a European and international level.
Greater cooperation, including co-development, between operators from different countries participating in the MEDIA Strand is also pursued as well as strengthening the competitiveness of European audiovisual production companies by consolidating their capacity for investment in the development phase and expanding companies’ activities and their innovation capacity to explore new fields and markets.
Special attention will be given to applications presenting adequate strategies to ensure a more sustainable and more environmentally-respectful industry and to ensure gender balance, inclusion, diversity and representativeness.
Foster the competitiveness of European independent production companies and to increase their economic weight on the market.
Increase the capacity of audiovisual producers to develop projects with the potential to circulate throughout Europe and beyond.
Facilitate European and international coproduction.
Provide an entry point for emerging talent, giving them the opportunity to direct a short film supported by the strong foundation provided by experienced companies.
A stronger position on European and international markets for companies selected under European slate development.
Increased quality, feasibility, cross-border potential and market value of European works supported.
No expected impacts identified for this destination.
CREA Regulation 2021/818
highThis regulation establishes the Creative Europe Programme for the period 2021-2027, aiming to safeguard, develop, and promote European cultural and linguistic diversity and heritage, and to increase the competitiveness and economic potential of the cultural and creative sectors, in particular the audiovisual sector. It supports actions that foster creativity, innovation, and international cooperation, addressing challenges such as digitalization and global competition.
Evaluators will look for proposals that clearly align with the objectives of the Creative Europe Programme, demonstrating how the proposed "European mini-slate development" contributes to strengthening the European audiovisual sector, promoting European works, fostering cross-border cooperation, and enhancing the competitiveness of European content creators. Proposals should articulate how they will address market needs, audience engagement, and the digital transition within the cultural and creative industries.
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
mediumThis regulation governs the financial management of EU funds, ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficient use of resources. It is relevant for proposals involving large-scale piloting and validation of AI systems in healthcare.
Evaluators will look for clear financial planning, cost-efficiency analysis, and compliance with EU financial rules, particularly in demonstrating the economic viability and sustainability of the proposed AI solutions.
No specific eligibility rules extracted from this call.
1. Admissibility conditions — Proposal page limit and layout described in the call document . Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
2. Eligible Countries — described in the call document .
3. Other Eligibility Conditions — described in the call document .
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion — described in the call document . 5a. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes described in the call document . 5b. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds Evaluation criteria, scoring, threshold and process are described in the call document .
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement — described in the call document . Publication of the call: 4 December 2025. Deadline for submitting applications: 17 September 2026 , 17:00 (Brussels time). Evaluation period: September 2026 - February 2027. Information to applicants: March 2027. Signature of grant agreement: June 2027.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants — described in the call document . Call document and annexes: call document . Application form templates Standard application form (CREA MEDIA) — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System Calculator (CREA MEDIA LS DEVSLATE and DEVMINISLATE) Creative dossier (CREA MEDIA CODEV, DEVSLATE and DEVMINISLATE) I nformation on independence and ownership control (CREA MEDIA) Information on language of submission documents (CREA MEDIA) Model Grant Agreements (MGA) CREA MGA Lump Sum MGA
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 Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Evaluators will prioritize the artistic and creative merit of the proposed slate, its market viability, and concrete strategies for European and international circulation. Crucially, they will look for detailed plans addressing environmental sustainability, gender balance, inclusion, and diversity within the production process and content. Evidence of strong co-development and collaboration with partners from different MEDIA participating countries will also be highly valued.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Support will be given to independent European production companies able to develop a slate of 2 to 3 audiovisual works (fiction, animation, creative documentary). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2This should allow production companies to reduce risks and increase their capacity to attract and retain talents. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3The European mini-slate development shall provide support to the development of minimum 2 and maximum 3 works for commercial exploitation intended for cinema release, television broadcasting or commercial exploitation on digital platforms or a multi-platform environment in the following categories: animation, creative documentary or fiction. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Applicants may add a short film by emerging talent to their slate (optional). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5The aim is to provide funds to audiovisual production companies to develop work with high creative value and cultural diversity and wide cross-border exploitation potential. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Companies are encouraged to develop strategies for marketing and distribution from the outset of the development phase thus improving the potential to reach audiences at a European and international level. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Greater cooperation, including co-development, between operators from different countries participating in the MEDIA Strand is also pursued as well as strengthening the competitiveness of European audiovisual production companies by consolidating their capacity for investment in the development phase and expanding companies’ activities and their innovation capacity to explore new fields and markets. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8Special attention will be given to applications presenting adequate strategies to ensure a more sustainable and more environmentally-respectful industry and to ensure gender balance, inclusion, diversity and representativeness. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Foster the competitiveness of European independent production companies and to increase their economic weight on the market. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Increase the capacity of audiovisual producers to develop projects with the potential to circulate throughout Europe and beyond. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Facilitate European and international coproduction. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4Provide an entry point for emerging talent, giving them the opportunity to direct a short film supported by the strong foundation provided by experienced companies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO5A stronger position on European and international markets for companies selected under European slate development. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO6Increased quality, feasibility, cross-border potential and market value of European works supported. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| No other requirements in this call. | |||
| Expected impacts | |||
| No expected impacts in this call. | |||
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1crea regulation 2021/818This regulation establishes the Creative Europe Programme for the period 2021-2027, aiming to safeguard, develop, and promote European cultural and linguistic diversity and heritage, and to increase the competitiveness and economic potential of the cultural and creative sectors, in particular the audiovisual sector. It supports actions that foster creativity, innovation, and international cooperation, addressing challenges such as digitalization and global competition. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. The steps below fill in as it takes shape, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
Step 1 of 2 · Build your concept
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Many independent European production companies struggle to manage the development of a slate of projects due to resource constraints, leading to higher risks and reduced market competitiveness.
Developing innovative and culturally diverse audiovisual content often involves significant financial risk, making it difficult for independent companies to attract necessary investment and ensure commercial exploitation.
Despite the high creative value of European works, they often face barriers in reaching wider European and international audiences, and opportunities for co-development and co-production across borders are not fully exploited.
New and emerging audiovisual talent often lack structured pathways and support to gain experience and direct commercially viable projects, limiting their professional growth and the industry's renewal.
The European audiovisual industry has not fully adopted comprehensive strategies to ensure environmental sustainability, gender balance, inclusion, and diversity in its production processes and content, impacting its social responsibility and long-term viability.
Companies responsible for developing and producing audiovisual works, seeking to enhance their competitiveness and market presence.
Creative and technical professionals involved in the development and production of the proposed audiovisual works.
New or less experienced directors and creators seeking opportunities to develop and direct short films within an established production framework.
The ultimate consumers of the audiovisual works, benefiting from increased access to diverse and high-quality European content.
Audiences outside Europe who will gain access to European audiovisual works through enhanced cross-border exploitation.
Companies responsible for the dissemination and exhibition of audiovisual content, benefiting from a stronger pipeline of market-ready European works.
Step 2 of 2 · Build your concept
The long-term impacts your project should drive — this shapes the objectives next.
The project will enable production companies to strengthen their financial stability, reduce risks, and increase their competitive edge in the European and international audiovisual market, leading to sustainable growth.
High-quality, culturally diverse European audiovisual works will achieve wider distribution and reach larger European and international audiences, fostering cultural exchange and generating increased revenue streams for the industry.
The project will provide a structured entry point and professional support for new talent, fostering the next generation of European creators and enriching the industry with fresh perspectives.
By systematically integrating sustainability, gender balance, inclusion, and diversity strategies, the project will contribute to a more responsible, ethical, and representative European audiovisual industry.