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Creative Europe MEDIA – European Film Distribution 2027 (for cinema distributors)

Creative Europe · MEDIA strand

Εκτελεστικός Οργανισμός Εκπαίδευσης και Πολιτισμού – EACEA (European Education and Culture Executive Agency)

In plain words

A grant of up to €1 million for cinema distributors, based on 2026 admissions for the non-national European films they released. The money is reinvested in new European films: co-production, buying distribution rights and promotion. Opens 3 Dec 2026 and closes 8 Apr 2027; in Greece you need a 'potential fund' of at least €9,000.

Who can apply

European cinema distribution companies whose main activity is theatrical distribution, based in a MEDIA country and majority-owned by nationals of MEDIA countries. They must hold the theatrical rights, carry out the release themselves and pay its costs. Individuals cannot apply, except sole traders. Greece and Cyprus count together: one application covers both.

What it pays for

First a 'potential fund' is calculated from 2026 admissions (1 Jan–31 Dec 2026) for eligible non-national European films (at least 200 admissions per film, 60+ minutes, copyright from 2023 onwards). The fund is then reinvested in up to 12 non-national European films: co-production, buying distribution rights (e.g. minimum guarantees) and promotion/advertising for cinema and online releases. Co-production and rights together up to 70% of the reinvestment budget. 70% of costs are funded; staff and travel are not covered. Projects last 12–18 months.

What must be true for you

Tick what applies. Saved on this device only.

  • A company whose main activity is theatrical distribution, based in a MEDIA country and owned by nationals of MEDIA countries
  • Certified 2026 admissions for non-national European films giving a 'potential fund' of at least €9,000 for Greece
  • One application per company (a joint one for Greece and Cyprus)
  • Annexes: film information file from the MEDIA Database and a declaration on independence and ownership

How to apply

  1. Read the CREA-MEDIA-2027-FILMDIST call document and ask Creative Europe Desk Greece for help.
  2. Certify your 2026 admissions for the eligible films and register them in the MEDIA Database.
  3. Create an EU Login and a PIC for the company.
  4. Fill in Parts A and C online and upload Part B (up to 50 pages) on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
  5. Submit between 3 Dec 2026 and 8 Apr 2027, 17:00 Brussels time; results are expected in October 2027.

Where to apply: EU Funding & Tenders Portal – ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunitie… (πρόσκληση CREA-MEDIA-2027-FILMDIST)

Deadline

Call CREA-MEDIA-2027-FILMDIST opens on 3 Dec 2026 and closes on 8 Apr 2027, 17:00 Brussels time (18:00 in Greece). The deadline cannot be extended.

Sources we read

Research notes: Call fiche CREA-MEDIA-2027-FILMDIST v1.0 (30/09/2026): opening 03/12/2026, deadline 08/04/2027 17:00 CET (Brussels), 'cannot be extended'; timetable labelled indicative. Budget €38M, subject to adoption of the 2027 EU budget. Max €1,000,000 per project; the potential fund is capped at €1M per applicant; 70% funding rate; indirect costs 7% flat. Greece is in the group with a €9,000 minimum potential fund and a 75,000 per-film admissions ceiling. Award criterion: Relevance only (admissions scale: 200–30,000 = 70 points … over 150,000 = 100); threshold 70; proposals above it are funded up to the budget ceiling. Results expected October 2027, grant signature January 2028. No minimum grant is stated, so amount_min is null.

See also