European Film Distribution
European Film Distribution supports theatrical distributors in co-producing, acquiring rights to and promoting non-national European films to expand their circulation in cinemas and online.
Funder: Creative Europe
Due Dates: December 3, 2026 (Opening) | April 8, 2027, 17:00 Brussels time (Submission)
Funding Amounts: Up to €1,000,000 per project at 70% funding, normally for 12–18 months; €38,000,000 total budget
Summary: Supports European theatrical distributors reinvesting market-performance-based funds in the co-production, acquisition and promotion of non-national European films.
Key Information: Admissions must be certified by the designated national authority before submission to generate funding.
Description
European Film Distribution is a Creative Europe MEDIA action grant managed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). It supports the wider transnational circulation of recent non-national European films in cinemas and online, increases investment in their production and distribution, and strengthens links between producers and distributors.
Support operates in two phases. A company first generates a potential fund based on its eligible European-market admissions in 2026. It must then reinvest that fund in eligible non-national European films through co-production, acquisition of theatrical or online distribution rights, or promotion, marketing and advertising for theatrical and online releases.
