European Film Distribution — FILMDIST

🔬 Scientific Alignment

Scope Activities (4)

SC1

The generation of a potential fund which will be attributed according to the performance of the company on the European market.

SC2

Reinvestment in the co-production of eligible non-national European films.

SC3

Reinvestment in the acquisition of distribution rights, for example by means of minimum guarantees, of eligible non-national European films.

SC4

Reinvestment in promotion, marketing and advertising on the market of eligible non-national European films both for theatrical and online releases.

Expected Outcomes (3)

EO1

Improvement in the trans-national distribution of recent non-national European films.

EO2

Increase in the investment in the production, acquisition, promotion, theatrical and online distribution of non-national European films.

EO3

Develop links between the production and distribution sector thus improving the competitive position of non-national European films.

🌍 Impact Strategy

Target SDG Topics

Select the SDG targets (topics) that your future project proposal will actively address to align with EU Policy Impacts.

Expected Impacts (0)

No expected impacts identified for this destination.

EU Policy Alignment

CREA Regulation 2021/818

high

This regulation establishes the Creative Europe Programme (2021-2027), the EU's framework programme for support to the cultural and audiovisual sectors. It aims 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.

💡

Evaluator focus:

Evaluators will look for proposals that clearly align with the objectives of the Creative Europe Programme, demonstrating how they contribute to strengthening the European audiovisual sector, fostering cross-border cooperation, promoting European works, and addressing challenges such as digitalization and audience development. Specific attention will be paid to the proposal's impact on the distribution, promotion, and accessibility of European films.

EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509

low

This 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.

💡

Evaluator focus:

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.

📋 Additional Guidance

⚖ Eligibility rules

No specific eligibility rules extracted from this call.

⚖ Eligibility — synthesis

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: 23 April 2026 17:00 (Brussels time). Evaluation period: May - September 2026. Information to applicants: October 2026. Signature of grant agreement: January 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 Certified admissions (CREA MEDIA FILMDIST) Information on independence and ownership control (CREA MEDIA) Other mandatory annex to be attached to the proposal: PDF with information about film(s)/work(s) generated from the Creative Europe MEDIA Database Model Grant Agreements (MGA) CREA MGA

Additional documents

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

🎯 Call process & Evaluation criteria (Pre-award)

Evaluators will primarily focus on the operational feasibility and financial sustainability of the proposed automatic support mechanism. They will scrutinize the methodology for fund generation based on market performance and the strategic allocation of reinvestments across co-production, acquisition, and multi-platform promotion. Strong emphasis will be placed on the project's ability to foster genuine collaboration between European film producers and distributors, demonstrating a clear, measurable impact on the trans-national circulation and competitive standing of non-national European films.

📊 Coverage

Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.

See how your concept covers this call

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.

Scope activities4requirements

Expected outcomes3requirements

Other requirements0requirements

Expected impacts0requirements

Underlying policies1requirements

Requirements matrix

Coverage of the call requirements
Requirement	Covered by	Carried	Status
Scope activities
SC1The generation of a potential fund which will be attributed according to the performance of the company on the European market.	·	·	Sign up to track
SC2Reinvestment in the co-production of eligible non-national European films.	·	·	Sign up to track
SC3Reinvestment in the acquisition of distribution rights, for example by means of minimum guarantees, of eligible non-national European films.	·	·	Sign up to track
SC4Reinvestment in promotion, marketing and advertising on the market of eligible non-national European films both for theatrical and online releases.	·	·	Sign up to track
Expected outcomes
EO1Improvement in the trans-national distribution of recent non-national European films.	·	·	Sign up to track
EO2Increase in the investment in the production, acquisition, promotion, theatrical and online distribution of non-national European films.	·	·	Sign up to track
EO3Develop links between the production and distribution sector thus improving the competitive position of non-national European films.	·	·	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 (2021-2027), the EU's framework programme for support to the cultural and audiovisual sectors. It aims 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.	·	·	Sign up to track

Scope activities

SC1Sign up

The generation of a potential fund which will be attributed according to the performance of the company on the European market.

SC2Sign up

Reinvestment in the co-production of eligible non-national European films.

SC3Sign up

Reinvestment in the acquisition of distribution rights, for example by means of minimum guarantees, of eligible non-national European films.

SC4Sign up

Reinvestment in promotion, marketing and advertising on the market of eligible non-national European films both for theatrical and online releases.

Expected outcomes

EO1Sign up

Improvement in the trans-national distribution of recent non-national European films.

EO2Sign up

Increase in the investment in the production, acquisition, promotion, theatrical and online distribution of non-national European films.

EO3Sign up

Develop links between the production and distribution sector thus improving the competitive position of non-national European films.

Other requirementsNo other requirements in this call.

Expected impactsNo expected impacts in this call.

Underlying policies

POL1Sign up

crea regulation 2021/818

🧩 Project backbone

0%Concept coverage

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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

Problems & target groups

The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.

✨ Problems to be solved

Fragmentation and limited trans-national reach of non-national European films.

Many European films struggle to cross national borders within Europe due to fragmented distribution networks, language barriers, and insufficient marketing budgets, limiting their audience potential and economic viability.

👤 European Film Distributors👤 European Film Producers👤 European Audiences

Insufficient investment in the production and distribution of diverse European cinematic content.

There is a perceived lack of adequate financial mechanisms to support the co-production, acquisition, and robust promotion of non-national European films, hindering their ability to compete with dominant non-European content.

👤 European Film Producers👤 European Film Distributors

Weak linkages and coordination between European film production and distribution sectors.

A disconnect often exists between film producers and distributors, leading to missed opportunities for early collaboration, strategic planning, and coordinated market entry, thereby undermining the competitive position of European films.

👤 European Film Producers👤 European Film Distributors

✨ Target Groups

European Film DistributorsDirect

Companies actively involved in the trans-national distribution of European films, who will benefit from the automatic support fund and reinvestment opportunities.

European Film ProducersDirect

Production companies creating non-national European films, who will benefit from increased co-production and acquisition investments.

European AudiencesDirect

Citizens across Europe who will gain access to a wider variety and greater number of non-national European films through enhanced distribution.

Online Platforms/VOD ServicesIndirect

Digital distribution channels that will host and promote an increased volume of non-national European film content.

Film Industry ProfessionalsIndirect

Individuals working in various capacities within the European film industry (e.g., marketers, sales agents, festival organizers) who will benefit from increased sector activity and investment.

Step 2 of 2 · Build your concept

The change you want to make

The long-term impacts your project should drive — this shapes the objectives next.

I1Enhanced cultural diversity and accessibility of European films.SocialEconomic

The project will significantly increase the visibility and availability of diverse non-national European films across different European territories and online platforms, enriching the cultural landscape for audiences.

📏 Percentage of population satisfied with access to diverse cultural content (measured via survey) (UN-Habitat Quality of Life Initiative Guidelines, adapted for cultural content).

EI (Matched)👤 European Audiences👤 European Film Distributors👤 European Film Producers

I2Increased economic competitiveness and sustainability of the European film industry.EconomicPolicy

By fostering reinvestment and strengthening links between production and distribution, the project will lead to a more robust and self-sustaining European film sector, capable of competing effectively in the global market.

📏 Number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the film sector with increased access to financing for production and distribution (IRIS, adapted for film sector).

EI (Matched)👤 European Film Producers👤 European Film Distributors👤 Film Industry Professionals

I3Strengthened European identity and cultural exchange through cinema.SocialPolicy

The wider circulation of non-national European films will promote cross-cultural understanding and reinforce a shared European identity among citizens.

📏 Percentage of population reporting increased engagement with non-national European cultural content (measured via survey) (UN-Habitat Quality of Life Initiative Guidelines, adapted for cultural engagement).

EI (Matched)👤 European Audiences