FILM COUNCIL HOST NEW UK MEDIA DESK

THE Film Council have announced that they will host a new UK MEDIA Desk.
The Desk is linked to the European Commission's MEDIA Plus Programme launched last January, and will be based in central London with an office in Northern Ireland. The UK MEDIA Desk goes live immediately.
The MEDIA Programme aims to strengthen the development and competitiveness of the European audiovisual industry by supporting a series of pan-European initiatives to assist companies working within the European audiovisual industry and to increase international circulation of European audiovisual output.
With a budget of Euro 400 million (around £240 million) MEDIA Plus supports professional training, screenwriting, business and new technologies, project development, and the distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works.
The UK MEDIA Desk will have two principal functions: Providing information, advice and services related to the MEDIA Plus Programme to individuals, companies and industry bodies in the UK and working with the MEDIA antennae in Scotland and Wales.
The UK MEDIA Desk will also seek to establish on-going links with organisations to promote the work and services provided by MEDIA Plus including pre-market briefings for professionals and information on new training courses and industry events. It will also provide information updates via the UK MEDIA Desk website.
The original UK MEDIA Desk was closed over two years ago owing to the lack of a UK industry host. Now with the backing of the Film Council, the new service will be available to provide a comprehensive information service to the UK film industry. (CD)