Archive · 22 Sep 2025
European Producers Express Concerns Over New EU Funding Program
Imagine a big pot of money the EU has to help make movies and TV shows.
The EU wants to change how it gives out this money with a new program called AgoraEU.
Independent film and TV makers are worried because the new plan mixes this movie money with money for news and other projects.
They fear this change could reduce the funding for independent films, give more money to big companies, and make it harder for smaller companies to succeed.
The producers want the EU to keep supporting independent creators and ensure the movie money stays separate from other funds to protect cultural diversity and creative independence.
European independent producers express concerns over the AgoraEU program.
The AgoraEU program merges existing programs, including Creative Europe MEDIA.
Producers fear the new program waters down support for independent productions.
Concerns raised over merging audiovisual funding with news and other objectives.
Producers worry about funding decisions and potential concentration in large entities.
- Who
- Independent film and TV producers across Europe
- What
- Have raised concerns over the European Commission's proposed AgoraEU program.
- When
- Negotiations expected to begin this fall and continue across 2026.
- Where
- Across the 27-nation European Union.
- Why
- They believe the program threatens creative independence and waters down support for independent audiovisual creation.
Independent Producers' Concerns
European Commission's Stated Aims
Support for Independent Production
Independent Producers' Concerns
Worry that the new MEDIA+ strand strays from supporting independent productions.
European Commission's Stated Aims
Aims to strengthen the media ecosystem, support pluralism, and promote media freedom.
Funding Allocation
Independent Producers' Concerns
Fear of funds being directed away from independent producers to non-European entities and subsidiaries.
European Commission's Stated Aims
The budget of AgoraEU has not been specified for European audiovisual works, nor is its circulation guaranteed.
- Program Name
- AgoraEU
- Budget
- €8.58 billion ($10.1 bn)
- Funding Period
- 2028 to 2034
- Affected Program
- Creative Europe MEDIA
- Concern
- Threat to creative independence