Creative Europe open to UK for now

S4C’s Hinterland has benefited from Creative Europe

UK producers will still be eligible to apply for funding of up to €1m (US$1.1m) from Creative Europe this autumn, despite uncertainty over its future following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union.

Creative Europe has a budget of €1.46bn from 2014-2020, with more than half of that allocated to the media programme, which supports training, project development and the distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works.

A specific TV fund offers grants for projects coproduced by European partners in the media programme using European finance, which can then be distributed around the EU and globally.

Shows such as S4C drama Hinterland and Warp Films series The Last Panthers have been recent recipients but the future of the scheme is unclear after the UK voted to leave the EU last week.

Creative Europe’s UK-based Francesca Walker told C21 that producers can apply for the next funding round this autumn and reassured recent applicants and beneficiaries that their applications would be processed and grants paid in the usual way.

However, she could not comment on the UK’s involvement in the programme after 2017, with the terms of the UK’s exit from the EU – set to take at least two years – likely to dictate the outcome.

In a statement, the UK Desk of Creative Europe said: “There are no immediate material changes to the current arrangements for those who have successfully applied, are currently being assessed, or are planning to apply for Creative Europe funding in 2016 and 2017.

“We will update our guidance as soon as any further information becomes available. Our services to the UK’s creative professionals continue as usual and prospective applicants to Creative Europe are encouraged to get in touch with us for advice and join us for our forthcoming events.”