Press release: EFAD calls for a strong audiovisual pillar within AgoraEU to secure Europe’s cultural and democratic future

As the European Union prepares the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034) and negotiates the proposed AgoraEU programme, EFAD members expressed strong support for the ambition to bring together culture, media and democratic values under one coherent framework. At the same time, they stressed that this ambition can only succeed if the audiovisual sector is given a clear, robust and well-resourced place within the new programme architecture.

Public investment in film and audiovisual creation is not a corrective to market failure alone; it is a structural pillar of Europe’s creative economy. Across all Member States, national film agencies invest in the development of original intellectual property, support independent producers, and enable stories to be told in Europe’s many languages.

This public commitment sustains a vibrant ecosystem of small and medium-sized enterprises, encourages creative risk-taking and ensures that European audiences have access to a rich diversity of perspectives and narratives.

In a global market increasingly dominated by vertically integrated and non-European platforms, public film funding acts as strategic investment capital. It enables European works to compete internationally while preserving cultural and linguistic diversity at home.

“European audiovisual creation is both a cultural expression and an economic driver. Public funding is the bridge between these two dimensions,” EFAD stated.

The creation of AgoraEU reflects a recognition that culture, media and democracy are closely interconnected. European films, series, documentaries, animation and video games contribute not only to economic growth and employment, but also to democratic debate, social cohesion and Europe’s global voice.

EFAD welcomes this integrated vision. However, the organisation emphasises that the specific nature of audiovisual creation must be clearly acknowledged within the new programme. Creative works differ fundamentally from journalistic content in mission, production logic and policy needs. A successful AgoraEU must therefore ensure clarity of objectives and appropriate instruments for each sector.

In a time of geopolitical uncertainty, technological transformation and intense global competition for audiences, Europe’s capacity to create and circulate its own stories is an essential component of its strategic autonomy.

A strong audiovisual pillar within AgoraEU is therefore not a sectoral demand, but a European necessity.

EFAD underlined the central role of independent production companies in sustaining Europe’s audiovisual landscape. Independent producers develop original content, retain creative ambition and nurture new talent across the continent. They are critical to maintaining pluralism, innovation and freedom of expression.

A future-proof AgoraEU should explicitly recognise and support this independent production ecosystem, ensuring that European intellectual property continues to be developed and owned within Europe.

For AgoraEU to deliver on its promise, EFAD calls for:

• Clear and transparent budget allocations for the audiovisual strand, ensuring financial predictability across the programme period;
• Strong governance and consultation mechanisms involving Member States and sector stakeholders in programme design and implementation, and well resourced programme Desks
• A clear recognition of the dual nature of audiovisual works as both cultural expressions and economic assets;
• Continued support for cross-border circulation, audience development and innovation, including in emerging formats such as video games and immersive storytelling.

Legal certainty and stable programme structures are essential for long-term investment decisions in the audiovisual sector. European creators and producers need a predictable framework to plan development, co-productions and distribution strategies across borders.

European audiovisual works shape how Europeans see themselves and how the world sees Europe. They foster dialogue, preserve linguistic richness and reflect the diversity of European societies.

As negotiations on AgoraEU advance, EFAD stands ready to work constructively with the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council to ensure that the new programme fully realises its cultural and democratic ambition.

“Europe’s stories are a public good. Investing in them means investing in Europe’s future,” EFAD concluded.