EU funding pays off at Cannes

Date: 04/05/05

When the Cannes Film Festival opens on 11 May, there will be 12 films on show that have been supported by the EU's MEDIA programme, either for development or distribution. The MEDIA programme has a budget of €513 million for film support in 2001-06.

The opening film of the Cannes main competition is Lemming, directed by Dominik Moll, which received €125,000.

Also in the main competition is Caché by Michael Haneke, which had €326,300 from MEDIA, Manderlay by Lars von Trier (255,800 euro) and L'Enfant by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (84,000 euro).

As part of another competition, 'Un Certain Regard', there will be two EU-supported films: Le temps qui reste by François Ozon (55,600 euro) and Habana Blues by Benito Zembrano (168,000 euro).

Out of competition will be screened Joyeux Noel, by Christian Carion (100,000 euro) and C'est pas tout à fait la vie dont j'avais revé (10,000 euro).

The International Critics' Week programme includes L'orrizonte degli eventi, by Daniel Vicari (83,750 euro), La Petite Jérusalem by Karin Albou (30,745 euro) and Vento di Terra by Vincenzo Marra (32,400 euro).

The Directors' Fortnight programme includes Cache Cache by Yves Caumon (77,000 euro).

The Festival has designated 17 May as its Europe Day, supported by the European Commission. European ministers for culture and some film personalities will meet to reflect on the theme of European cinemas in an information-driven society.

Article lists the films shown at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival which enjoyed funding from the EU's MEDIA programme.