MEDIA Mundus is a new broad international co-operation programme, formally adopted by the European Commission in January 2009, with the aim of strengthening cultural and commercial relations in the audiovisual industry between Europe and professionals of non-European countries.

The EU will provide €15 million of funding from 2011-2013 for projects submitted by audiovisual professionals from the EU with partners in countries outside of Europe.

Co-operation with the European film industry is in strong demand around the globe as shown by the initial success of the MEDIA International Preparatory Action under which the EU provided €2 million of funding for 18 projects involving international partners.  The 2009 Call for Proposals offered an increased budget of €5 million for further initiatives, and supported 40 projects.

The new MEDIA Mundus programme will run from 2011-2013 and will capitalise on this growing interest and the opportunities offered by global cooperation of the audiovisual industry. It will increase consumer choice by bringing more culturally diverse products to European and international markets and will create new business opportunities for audiovisual professionals from Europe and around the globe.

The proposed new MEDIA Mundus programme will:

1. boost the exchange of information between professionals, particularly through training activities and scholarships that make networking between European and third country audiovisual professionals easier. This will improve ccess to foreign markets and build trust and long-term commercial relationships.
2. improve the competitiveness and transnational distribution of audiovisual works worldwide by making international co-productions easier.
3. improve circulation and exposure of audiovisual works worldwide and increase public demand, especially among young audiences, for culturally diverse audiovisual content.

See the European Commission's website for more information on MEDIA Mundus.