Francis Ford Coppola, Sandra Hüller, Stellan Skarsgård, Juliette Binoche, and Joachim Trier Stand with 4,700 Cinema Professionals in Urging the EU to Support the MEDIA Program’s Future
Cinematic Leaders Urge EU to Protect MEDIA Program
Prominent figures in the film industry, including Juliette Binoche, Francis Ford Coppola, Joachim Trier, Ruben Östlund, Stellan Skarsgård, Sandra Hüller, and Vicky Krieps, are advocating for the European Union to ensure the longevity of its 35-year-old MEDIA program. This initiative has played a crucial role in supporting thousands of films over the years.
More than 4,700 cinema professionals have signed an open letter titled “Europe needs cinema, Cinema needs Europe.” The letter was released as EU member states engage in discussions regarding the proposed AgoraEU program, a controversial new initiative aimed at consolidating funding for culture, media, and civil society under a unified banner. Concerns are mounting within the independent European film sector regarding the implications of this shift.
The proposal seeks to merge the MEDIA program into a new Media+ strand, which would encompass support for both the film and audiovisual industries, as well as video games, news media, and journalism. Previously, MEDIA operated under the Creative Europe framework with well-defined funding pathways established over three decades.
The European Commission has suggested allocating €8.6 billion ($1 trillion) for AgoraEU in its 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) plan. However, the European Parliament has recommended increasing this amount to €10.7 billion during its ongoing consultation.
Industry professionals highlight that while these figures may signal a potential increase in overall funding for culture and media, there are no assurances about the allocation for the film and audiovisual sectors, nor any specified objectives. The letter reflects a growing campaign aimed at raising awareness about the stakes involved.
“Just as the idea of Europe itself is a unique project, the idea of the MEDIA program is to sustain diverse European voices in a common house,” the letter states. It emphasizes that for over 35 years, the program has supported a range of European stories from development to production, including independent films and their release in cinemas and online.
Despite the challenges ahead, the letter appeals to the European Commission, European Parliament, and member states to preserve the integrity of the MEDIA program, asserting that without artistic creation, shared values and democracy cannot thrive.
Member states are scheduled to adopt a preliminary stance on the AgoraEU proposal on May 12, coinciding with the opening of the 79th Cannes Film Festival.
The signatories include many notable figures who frequent Cannes, such as contenders for the 2026 Palme d’Or—Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Lukas Dhont, Pawel Pawlikowski, and Arthur Harari—alongside others like Yorgos Lanthimos and Agnieszka Holland. While most signatories are from Europe, support has also come from beyond its borders, including Coppola.
Traditionally, the Cannes Film Festival celebrates the MEDIA program, which has supported numerous films featured in its official selection and parallel sections. This year, however, discussions surrounding the program’s future will become a focal point for industry professionals attending the festival.
