Since its launch in 1991, the EU's MEDIA programme has supported the continuous transformation and professionalisation of the audiovisual industry, while helping films find new audiences across borders.

Since its launch in 1991, the EU's MEDIA programme, which is part of the EU's Creative Europe programme for the cultural and creative sectors, has supported the continuous transformation of the audiovisual industry and promoted creative collaboration across borders. It has invested over €2.4 billion in European content, creativity and cultural diversity, helped in the development of thousands of films, their international distribution and promotion. As result, the last four films awarded the Oscar for Best Foreign Language film were European and were supported by MEDIA. The programme also forged links between professionals and provided high quality training for thousands of producers, directors and screenwriters.

Today and tomorrow hundreds of top filmmakers, industry representatives and policy makers are gathering in Brussels to explore the challenges and opportunities ahead for Europe's audiovisual sector, including the future of the programme. At the event, participants will also explore new ideas (such as the immersive cinema experience when viewers feel like they are part of a film) as well as innovative forms of business collaboration and wider access to content. They will focus on training, storytelling, new distribution strategies and financing.

The programme will feature prominent film directors such as Sir Alan Parker (United Kingdom), Jaco Van Dormael, Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, Michaël R. Roskam (Belgium) and Tomasz Wasilewski (Poland) as well as industry representatives such as Christophe Tardieu (Director of the Centre National du Cinéma - CNC), Ignacio Perez Dolset (founder of Ilion Animation Studios), Rikke Ennis (CEO of TrustNordisk) and Peter Aalbaek (co-founder of Zentropa). Vice-President of the European Commission Andrus Ansip and Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger will speak at the event.

Some panels will be streamed across the two days.