This call will support a European cinema operators' network with a broad geographic coverage, screening a significant proportion of non-national European films, fostering the role of European cinemas in the circulation of European works.
The information on this page is for general information purposes only. For full details please read the Networks of European Cinemas 2026.
What is the purpose of the funding?
The aim of the support is to create and operate a network of cinemas with a view to:
- Encourage cinema operators to screen a significant proportion of non-national European films through incentives and collaborative projects;
- Contribute to raise and increase the interest of the audience for non-national films including through the development of activities for young cinema-goers;
- Help those cinemas to adapt their strategy to the changing environment including by promoting innovative approaches in terms of audience reach and engagement, including through AI, as well as partnerships with other film industry operators as well as with local cultural institutions;
- Encourage exchange of best practices, knowledge sharing and other forms of cross border collaboration amongst members of the network;
- Contribute to the policy dialogue on the film industry by collecting data and disseminating the outcome of the activities of the network beyond its members.
Please read the Networks of European Cinemas 2026 for full details.
Support available for
The action will support a network of European cinema operators, with a broad geographic coverage, screening a significant proportion of non-national European films for an increased audience and a renewed cinema going experience, fostering the role of European cinemas in the circulation of European works. The aim is to increase audiences for European works through incentives and collaborative projects. Funding will promote innovative approaches that combine visibility for European works and the widest audiences.
Cinemas' network should enable the following activities:
- Networking activities: information, animation, training and communication in view of increasing the audience reach and implementing innovative and collaborative actions including areas with low screen density.
- Provide financial support to participating cinemas implementing eligible activities listed below:
- Actions aiming at promoting and screening European films and increasing the audience for non-national European films and contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally-respectful industry.
- Innovative activities aiming at reaching new audiences and raising interest among young cinemagoers for European films by renewing and enriching the cinema experience including in areas where cinema infrastructures are poorly developed.
- Harnessing the digital transition, including online tools, data applications and AI.
- Adjusting the business practices of European cinema theatres in terms of sustainability, inclusion and accessibility.
- Promotion and marketing activities in cooperation with other distribution platforms (e.g. TV broadcasters, VOD platforms).
Please read the Networks of European Cinemas 2026 for full details.
Who can apply?
In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
- be legal entities (public or private bodies)
- be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
- Creative Europe Participating Countries:
- EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
- non-EU countries: listed EEA countries and countries associated with the Creative Europe Programme (list of participating countries).
- Creative Europe Participating Countries:
- be a European cinema networks. A cinema network is a group of European independent cinemas developing, through the medium of a legally constituted co-ordination entity, joint activities in the area of screening and promoting European films.
To be eligible, the cinema network must represent at least 400 cinemas situated in at least 20 countries participating in the MEDIA strand.
A European independent cinema is a company, association or organisation with a single screen or several screens based in countries participating in the MEDIA strand. The screening of films should be the principal activity of the participant or division of the participant's organisation.
Only applications by single applicants are allowed (single beneficiaries).
Please read the Networks of European Cinemas 2026 for full details.
How much can you apply for?
Project budget (maximum grant amount): No limit.
The grant will be budget-based (actual costs, with unit cost and flat-rate elements). This means that it will reimburse ONLY certain types of costs (eligible costs) and costs that were actually incurred for your project (NOT the budgeted costs). For unit costs and flat-rates, you can charge the amounts calculated as explained in the Grant Agreement (see art 6 and Annex 2 and 2a).
The costs will be reimbursed at the funding rate fixed in the Grant Agreement (95%).
Grants may NOT produce a profit (i.e. surplus of revenues + EU grant over costs).
Please read the Networks of European Cinemas 2026 for full details.
How can you apply?
- Please read the Networks of European Cinemas 2026 call document in order to check eligibility and requirements.
- Applications are processed through the European Commission's Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal (F&TP).
- Detailed information on how to access the F&T Portal.
