Czech audio-visual projects get a record EUR 10 million in EU support

Czech projects last year received a record EUR 10 million from the European Commission’s Creative Europe grant program that supports European cultural and creative sectors. Compared to previous years, the sum awarded to Czech projects set a record.

Audiovisual projects received more than EUR 8.5 million, while European cooperation projects received EUR 1.6 million. Vlaďka Chytilová, head of Creative Europe’s Czech desk for media, said that the amount allocated to the film industry was four times higher than previous years' averages.

"This increase is a result of the success rate of Czech applicants, higher funding amounts designated for multi-year support, and a revised reporting methodology that includes funds allocated to Czech partners in projects coordinated by foreign entities," Chytilová said in a press release.

Film producers obtained EUR 946,784 to develop 28 projects last year. This enabled, for instance, the creation of the biographical miniseries Agnes  (Já, Anežka), which focuses on the medieval princess Agnes of Bohemia, who lived in the 13th century.

Several films that received support from the EC program in the past, such as Il Boemo and Medieval (also called Jan Žižka), were released in cinemas last year.

In 2022, the program expanded its call for projects to include video games and immersive content development. This opportunity is now open to both video game developers and production companies. Kube Games, based in Prague, secured a grant of EUR 150,000 for the video game Imperiums: New World.

The Creative Europe Media program also supports educational initiatives. Last year, a record-breaking amount of EUR 3.39 million was earmarked for five projects involving support for documentary and feature filmmakers over a three-year period. More support also went to film festivals and to media networking and marketing projects.

Support also went to two online film distributors and to 33 Czech cinemas in 22 Czech cities, which are part of the Europa Cinemas network. In exchange, the cinemas have to promote certain European films.

Creative Europe is the European Commission's program that supports the cultural and creative industries, encompassing performing arts, visual arts, literature, music, film, television, games, and cultural heritage. It consists of the Media, Culture, and Interdisciplinary sections. From 2021 to 2027, the program plans to distribute EUR 2.44 billion, with over half allocated to the Media section.