Brussels: 29 April 2020 – The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the body representing European cinema trade associations and operators, has today issued the following statement:

The performance of Trolls Word Tour should be viewed – and only viewed – in the context of the exceptional circumstances surrounding its release and the unprecedented times we are living through. When a third of the global population is currently on some form of a Coronavirus lockdown and only 4 per cent of cinema screens around the World are open, it is hardly surprising that many have turned to VOD and similar other services.

The 22nd Thessaloniki Documentary Festival which was postponed due to the international coronavirus crisis, will take place online from Tuesday, May 19th until Thursday, May 28th, 2020, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.

Serie Series, a meeting place for European series and their creators, is to take place June 30-July 2, 2020. The event usually runs in Fontainebleau, France. The organizational team is monitoring the current situation closely and will inform the public about any possible changes.

On April 12, Kino Pod Baranami launched its virtual screening rooms. This marks the very first virtual cinema in Poland. On the cinema’s streaming platform one can find carefully selected films, special screenings and films followed by online discussions. 

In this most diverse festival competition short documentaries, animations and live action films from all round the world will compete for a Golden and Silver Dragons in front of an international jury. Six Polish films are among them. The awards given in this competition make winners eligible to submit for Oscars and European Film Awards consideration.

The following grants were announced by the Georgian National Film Center on 20 April 2020.

COVID-19 - Cultural & Creative Sectors

UNIC is collecting detailed information on the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on the cinema industry across the 38 territories it represents – please see public version here.

The research includes detailed information on national closure processes, support mechanisms, measures relating to employment, taxation, rent and related costs, campaigns and opening strategies.

21/04: UNIC welcomes the new resolution adopted by the EU Parliament - UNIC

In an extraordinary Plenary held on 16 and 17 April in Brussels, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences. The resolution, among others, makes two direct references to the creative and cultural sectors having suffered from the impact of the crisis.

21/04: EU funds must reach media and creative sector, say MEPs – European Parliament

The European Union must do more to help those struggling sectors to get back on their feet, stress the members of the European Parliament’s Culture and Education Committee, in a letter to Commissioners Thierry Breton and Mariya Gabriel.

17/04: “Creative communities and governments need to act urgently to address the impact of Covid-19” a ResiliArt debate organised by UNESCO and CISAC heard – CISAC

CISAC joined forces with UNESCO to hold an inaugural “ResiliArt” debate on April 15th to mobilise the creative community and governments in responding to the Covid-19 crisis.   A panel of renowned creators, led by CISAC President Jean-Michel Jarre, discussed the devastating impact on culture, the need for unity among creators and the urgency of government strategies in responding.

COVID-19 – EU

21/04: More ambition needed for EU recovery instruments, says majority of MEPs – European Parliament

During the hearing in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, numerous MEPs called for stronger measures to be put forward, arguing that the ones currently on the table consisted mostly of loans which would leave those countries most hit by the Coronavirus heavily indebted and increase economic divergence in the Eurozone.

24/04: Speech of Commissioner Breton at the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy – European Commission

24/04: Von der Leyen announces Global Response and calls for united world front against coronavirus – European Commission

The European Union will spare no effort to help the world come together against coronavirus, said Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, at the joint press conference with a number of world leaders, which the World Health Organization hosted on 24 April.
Statement here. Q&A here.

EU Council Summit

23/04: Conclusions of the President of the European Council following the video conference of the members of the European Council, 23 April 2020 – Council of the EU

EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027

27/04: Q&A on the EU's long-term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework, MFF) – European Parliament

Slovakia

24/04: Commission supports Slovakia’s cultural industries – European Commission

The European Commission has been providing tailor-made strategic advice to Slovakia through the Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP) to support the development of cultural industries and foster their contribution to Slovakia’s economy.

Latvia

Riga Municipality Allocates Money for Riga Film Fund – Film New Europe

The Riga Municipality has allocated 800,000 EUR for the Riga Film Fund in its 2020 budget. The funds will be available for foreign and national coproductions shot in Latvia.

Events:

29-30 April: Commissioner Dombrovskis Participates in the videoconference of the ECB Governing Council
30 April: Commissioner Thierry Breton holds a videoconference with members of the European Digital Rights
6 May: Commission to present Coronavirus recovery plan
Mid-May: EU consultation on Digital Services Act postponed
15 July: Postponed CJEU opinion on the YouTube copyright case