WHO WE ARE
Introduction

ACP Films is a programme of the Group of African Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP), implemented by the ACP Secretariat and financed under the 9th European Development Fund (EDF). It is implemented within the framework of the EU-ACP Partnership Agreement signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000. Article 27 of the agreement states that cooperation shall aim at "recognising, preserving and promoting cultural values and identities to enable inter-cultural dialogue". It must also be aimed at "developing cultural industries and enhancing market access opportunities for cultural goods and services".

This provision of the Cotonou Agreement is strengthened by the Dakar Declaration on the promotion of ACP cultures and cultural industries, adopted at the first meeting of the ACP Culture Ministers on 20 June 2003, which recognises the great potential and considerable value of these industries and their contribution to the economic and social development of the ACP States and regions. The declaration also highlights the importance of the circulation of ACP artists and cultural goods within the ACP States and at international level, as well as access for professionals to goods and services markets.

As part of implementation of the Dakar Action Plan, the ACP Secretariat worked with the European Commission to define a programme of support for the ACP cinema and audiovisual sector. The Secretariat is responsible for decisions to award grants under the EDF intra-ACP budget. A Programme Management Unit (PMU) provides technical assistance to the ACP Secretariat. The ACP Films Programme is the second programme of support for the ACP cinema and audiovisual sector under ACP-EU cooperation and covers the 79 countries of the ACP Group and the 15 European Union Member States that contributed to the 9th EDF under the Cotonou Agreement.

Thanks to the development of digital technology, cinema and audiovisual works have become one of the most mobile and accessible cultural goods. Their content has the power to entertain and touch viewers, but above all to foster discovery and reflection. Cinema and audiovisual works can raise awareness and encourage both social and economic development. Their production and dissemination create jobs and financial flows at the national and intra-ACP level, in the sector itself but also in related sectors. Building on the achievements of earlier ACP-EU programmes of support for the cinema sector, the ACP Secretariat and the European Commission decided to focus, under the 9th EDF, on improvement of the circulation of film and audiovisual works from the ACP States, professional development in the artistic, technical and management aspects of the cinema and audiovisual professions and promotion of access to training for young professionals.

A single call for proposals in the amount of € 6.5 million was open from 5 June to 5 September 2008. At its conclusion, 24 projects (12 in production and post-production, 6 in distribution, promotion and networking and 6 in training) were selected, for total funding of € 6,492,327. The individual grant amounts range between € 68,000 and € 485,000.

The ACP Group of States welcomes this possibility to support quality projects that respond to its mandate under implementation of the Cotonou Agreement, particularly in the framework of cultural development aimed at combating poverty and enhancing the welfare of the populations of ACP States. Congratulations to all the programme beneficiaries.

Implemented by the ACP Secretariat
Funded by the European Union European