1. INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE EUROPEAN ENCOUNTER

In the last three years an important network of Film Commissions, totalling approximately 170 offices in 17 countries, has been consolidated in Europe. Despite this, the audio-visual industry and national and European public agents still know very little about this phenomenon. However, the figures clearly show that these offices of audio-visual promotion and ‘shoot capture’ have had an important economic impact both on the audio-visual industry itself and related service sectors.

International experience shows that Film Commissions are instruments of great utility in the promotion of a territory and in boosting the development of its local audio-visual industry.

In Spain, there has been a similar experience. Since the creation of Spain Film Commission in 2001, there is to date a large network — with around 30 offices — covering practically the whole country.

This European encounter, organized by Spain Film Commission, pretends to foster the exchange of experiences with the people in charge of the most important offices, and promote the utility of a co-ordinated network of Film Commissions throughout Europe that participates in the audio-visual development strategies of the European Union.



2. STRUCTURE OF THE ENCOUNTER

As you can see from the enclosed programme, two different panels will be carried out during the morning of the conference on the 18th December:

1.- In the first panel on the European experience in the development of Film Commissions, the speakers will explain the experience of their offices within the context of their country, in a speech of around 15 minutes each, followed by a debate.

2.- In the second panel about the Film Commissions as an instrument of support for the audio-visual industry, the speakers will give their opinion on the usefulness of Film Commissions for the development of the audio-visual industry and propose possible iniciatives for the activities of these offices, in a speech of around 15 minutes each, followed by a debate.


3. DRAWING UP AND APPROVAL OF THE FIRST DECLARATION OF MÁLAGA

At the end of the conference we would like to debate and, in case, approve a “Declaration of Málaga” that proposes:

1. Initiate a process of co-operation between the European Film Commissions to enable the implementation of mutual iniciatives within the confines of the European Union.

2. Initiate a proposal to the competent departments of the European Union for the establishment of mecanisms of co-operation between the European network of Film Commissions and the institutions of promotion of the European audio-visual sector.

3. Create a European forum of Film Commissions and producers in order to approach initiatives for the development of the audio-visual industry.

In the afternoon, among the expected activities, we would like to emphasize the guided visit of the recently inaugurated Picasso Museum in Málaga.

We attach the programme of the conference and the inscription form, as well as some proposals for accommodation in Málaga.