EFAD (European Film Agency Directors association) is the voice of national European Film Agencies, bringing together the national film and audiovisual agencies across Europe. The 35 EFAD members of the Brussels-based association are government or government-associated public bodies, in charge of national funding for the audiovisual sector and with the responsibility to advise or regulate on all aspects of audiovisual policies.
At national level, EFAD members have already integrated the needs of the blind and partially sighted citizens into their schemes. Specific support to audio-description and audio-subtitling are indeed in place in several countries:
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France CNC |
Specific scheme for the creation of audiodescription and subtitling files for audiences with sensory disabilities. (website in French) |
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Germany FFA |
Creation of an audiodescription and subtitle version is an eligibility criterion for any project submitted to production support. Exploitation and distribution: in cinemas an accessible version must be proposed (generally the GRETA system via cell phone). |
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Belgium |
French speaking part: Since 2016, all supported films get an additional grant of 5000€ for the creation of an audiodescription version: https://www.amisdesaveugles.org/films-belges-audiodescription.html |
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Belgium |
VAF gives 5.000 EUR extra for feature films and long animation films (majoritair) that received production support from us. |
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Denmark Danish Film Institute |
Concerning audio-description for the blind and partially-sighted our bylaws requires this to be available for films released in cinemas. This means that the Producer needs to include the costs in the production budget which will be an eligible cost for production support. |
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UK / BFI |
All Production funded projects are contractually obliged to make Audio Description files (as well as HOH subtitles). All titles funded for Distribution are also contractually required to create Audio Description (again, as well as HOH subtitles). These costs are supported by the BFI. |
Regarding the MEDIA programme, EFAD have been advocating in favour of a stronger budget and more ambitious initiatives to foster European coproductions and the promotion of European works.
EFAD does also support the EBU call for strengthening the accessibility of works. Support to audio -description is already well included in the eligible costs of distribution and sales agent schemes of the MEDIA programme but could be better exploited by beneficiaries and serve as leverage for good practices in the film industry.
by Julie-Jeanne Régnault, Secretary General
Website: europeanfilmagencies.eu