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Save the date :  ZOOM PRESENTATION SESSIONS - JANUARY 17 & 18, 2024 (11 am - 1 pm CET)

To support this year’s bids, Europa Cinemas will be hosting two online presentaton sessions. Moderated by Michael Gubbins (Consultant, Sampo Media), these Zoom Sessions will allow you to ask questions about the programme's Guidelines, the application process, the procedures and rules to follow.

Two sessions are organized in order to enable as many members to attend:

• Wednedsday, January 17th at 11am (CET), with simultaneous translation in English, French, German
• Thursday, January 18th at 11am (CET), with simultaneous translation in English, Italian, Spanish

Kindly confirm your participation using the following form: 

https://form.jotform.com/233534241113342

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For the attention of network exhibitors:

In 2024, the COLLABORATE TO INNOVATE budget will amount €1,5 Mio.

Initiated in 2021 by Europa Cinemas with the support of Creative Europe/MEDIA, this flagship scheme aims to reward outstanding innovative and collaborative projects implemented by network members from the same country or at a European level. Since 2021, 45 projects all across Europe have been supported.

COLLABORATE TO INNOVATE seeks to support projects which have the potential to inspire other exhibitors in the Network and beyond. Successful projects will need to offer evidence of potential impact on the film sector in areas such as the promotion, circulation and visibility of European films; audience development and young audience growth in particular; and enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of cinemas in their own markets and communities. Among the main priorities of the scheme will be social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and the development of data-analytics and digital marketing tools.

In 2023, a record number of 17 projects (incl. 4 international initiatives) have been selected, involving 99 cinemas in 16 European countries. Representing the full diversity of the Network, they cover a wide range of topics: film literacy and young audience development, European film circulation, technological innovation, digital marketing, enhanced cinema-going experience, as well as green practices and inclusion of disadvantaged audiences. Each individual project has set out its own measurable objectives. Results will be analysed and shared across the Network for further development. Please click here to know more about all the supported projects.

PLEASE NOTE SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

•          APPLICATION DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE DULY FILLED IN AND SUBMITTED ONLINE BY MONDAY 19TH FEBRUARY, 2024 (7:00 PM CET). APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THIS DATE AND TIME WILL BE INELIGIBLE.

•          EUROPA CINEMAS' FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION WILL AMOUNT TO A MAXIMUM OF €100,000 PER PROJECT AND WILL NOT EXCEED:

70% of overall costs for projects submitted mainly by applicants from A and B countries, and where the main expenditure of the project will be in A and B countries.

80% of overall costs for projects submitted mainly by coordinators and partners from C and D countries.

•          PROJECTS CAN EXCEPTIONALLY INVOLVE NON-MEMBER CINEMAS IF THE APPLICATION INCLUDES THE REQUIRED MINIMUM NUMBER OF EUROPA CINEMAS PARTNER THEATRES AS MENTIONED IN PART C OF THE GUIDELINES.

•          A GROUP OF CINEMAS/EXHIBITORS CAN ONLY SUBMIT ONE PROJECT.

•          A CINEMA CAN ONLY BE PARTNER IN ONE PROJECT.

•          PROJECTS CAN ONLY BE SUPPORTED ONCE.

•          APPLICATION FORMS, INCLUDING BUDGET AND MANDATE, NEED TO BE COMPLETED ONLINE.

DO YOU NEED A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION/REPLICATION WHEN BUILDING YOUR OWN PROJECTS?

Many COLLABORATE TO INNOVATE (CTI) projects have been presented and highlighted during our 2022 Network Conference but also this year again during our Audience Development and Innovation Labs (Sofia, Bologna and Valladolid) that included specific CTI sessions for sharing experiences on these innovative projects. Please check the recordings of the workshops from Europa Cinemas 22nd Network Conference and of our 2023 Audience Development & Innovation Labs on Europa Cinemas Youtube channel (workshop 1, workshop 2, workshop 4).

If you plan to implement new and original initiatives in your region - aiming at developing new audiences (particularly young ones), using new digital technologies, subscription models, improving environmental sustainability, contributing to social cohesion within your structure or in your communities - please go ahead and send us your application!

COLLABORATE TO INNOVATE Guidelines were designed with the active support of Network members. They are available in English, French, Italian, Spanish and German.

The link to the application form is available at the bottom of the Guidelines. 

We will be organizing 2 zoom sessions in January 2024 where the Guidelines will be presented and you will be able to raise questions about the process, procedures and rules of the scheme. If you are unable to attend these meetings, but need any additional information or clarification, please do not hesitate to check our FAQs or contact us @ collaboratetoinnovate@europa-cinemas.org.

Exclusive to members of the Network, the Call for applications is a great opportunity to highlight the diversity, vitality and creativity of your work, projects and cinemas!

COLLABORATE TO INNOVATE is an exciting and important scheme, not just for the Europa Cinemas Network but for the film industry. We look forward to your applications!

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