Cannes: Twenty-three EU Ministers of Culture, including Cyprus’ Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou, have signed a Joint Statement at the initiative of the French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, on the occasion of the 78th Cannes Film Festival taking place this week, expressing their collective support and effort to promote European cinema.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Deputy Ministry of Culture announced in a press release that the Joint Declaration highlights the successes of European cinema, the diversity of EU cultures, and the importance of co-production and distribution of works, which should remain priorities in the upcoming EU agenda for the sector.
The Joint Statement emphasized the challenge of making cinematic diversity an integral part of affirming European cultural sovereignty, amidst the threat of a global trade war in the cultural sector, primarily in cinema. It applauded the significant European success at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, noting that 7 of the last 10 Palmes d’Or were European and 62% of the films selected this year are European.
The Statement referred to European cinema as “a goldmine” that is not sufficiently recognized. It emphasized the EU’s commitment to defending cultural diversity, a principle acknowledged 20 years ago by the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity, which has contributed to maintaining a rich and evolving cinematic landscape.
The Ministers highlighted Europe’s belief in films rooted in historical, social, and human realities, capable of uniting people across borders. The Cannes Film Festival’s tradition of lively cinematic debates was cited as a testament to the unique and diverse nature of European cinema.
The Joint Statement called for collective action to promote a Europe of Culture, with cinema as a central component. It aimed to expand the audience’s horizon, encouraging them to explore the filmography of their European neighbors, while acknowledging the need for coordinated strategies and strong political will to circulate films beyond borders.
The Ministers expressed their commitment to supporting the dissemination of projects across Europe, ensuring European cinema’s visibility in all distribution channels, despite algorithmic challenges.
They also reaffirmed the importance of co-productions in Europe, citing recent successes in the cinema and audiovisual sectors as proof of the potential when forces are united. The Statement concluded with a pledge to prioritize collaborative efforts and shared works on the European agenda in the coming months, reinforcing European and cultural sovereignty.
The Joint Declaration was signed by culture ministers from Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Estonia, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden, and Finland.