The Council of the European Union
The Ministers of Cultural Affairs
El Escorial, 17th of November 2000
Concerning the proposed limitation of national film funding
The European Council of Artists, which gathers national councils of professional artists and artists’ associations in 24 European countries, strongly objects to the idea of the European Commission to limit national subsidies for film production to 50% of the total cost.
Such a limit imposed by the competition committee would ruin national film production not only of artistic quality in many European countries. Consequently these measures would affect European cultural diversity very negatively and violate Article 22 of the newly established charter of fundamental rights.
ECA recognizes that the ministers of culture in various member countries of the European Union have publicly spoken out against this new attempt to interfere in cultural matters by means of competition regulations. We strongly advise the respective governments to keep up the resistance against limitation of national film funding.
We have seen a similar development only recently in the debate concerning fixed prices for books. It gives us the impression that basic principles of cultural subsidiarity have been eroded by simply placing competition regulations above cultural policies. As an NGO representing artists all over Europe, we demand our involvement in the decision making process affecting our work and our creative capacities and freedom of expression.
Yours sincerely
Jorge Bosso
president