The new calls for proposals under the Creative Europe MEDIA Sub-programme for 2026 are now officially open, offering substantial funding opportunities to support development, distribution, innovation and international cooperation across the European audiovisual industry.
The calls cover the entire value chain, from writing and co-development to cinema and online distribution, including markets and networking, cinemas, festivals, VOD platforms, video games, skills development and media literacy. Several schemes will fund activities over a two-year period, which means no new calls will be published in autumn 2026 for some actions.
Among the main open calls:
Markets and Networking (deadline: 20 January 2026)
Budget: €16.5 million, supporting the promotion and circulation of European audiovisual works at major professional events and markets.
European Co-Development (deadline: 25 February 2026)
Supporting cooperation between at least two independent production companies from different MEDIA countries for the development of fiction, animation and creative documentary projects.
Films on the Move (deadlines: 19 March and 16 July 2026)
Budget: €21 million, aimed at strengthening the cross-border distribution of recent European films.
European Film Distribution (deadline: 23 April 2026)
Budget: €34 million, providing support to distributors to increase the circulation of non-national European films.
TV and Online Content (deadlines: 3 December 2025 and 7 May 2026)
Budget: €22 million, encouraging the production and broadcast of new works for television and online platforms.
Video Games and Immersive Content Development (deadline: 11 February 2026)
Budget: €10 million, supporting the development of video games and interactive immersive experiences with international potential.
Innovative Tools and Business Models (deadline: 15 January 2026)
Budget: €10.5 million, focused on innovative tools and business models, including digital and green transition.
Creative Innovation Lab (deadline: 23 April 2026)
Supporting cross-sector projects between the audiovisual, music, publishing and museum sectors, with a focus on AI and virtual worlds.
Networks of European Cinemas (deadline: 9 July 2026)
Budget: over €17.4 million, aimed at networks of European cinemas.
Networks of European Festivals (deadline: 14 April 2026)
Supporting collaborative actions between European festivals to enhance the visibility and circulation of European audiovisual works.
Skills and Talent Development (deadline: 16 April 2026)
Budget: €9.5 million, for training programmes aimed at audiovisual professionals.
European Film Sales (deadline: 18 June 2026)
Budget: €5.5 million, supporting sales agents based on market performance, for reinvestment in the promotion and distribution of recent European films.
NEWS – Journalism Partnerships (deadline: 4 February 2026) and NEWS – Media Literacy (deadline: 11 March 2026), focusing respectively on media pluralism and media literacy initiatives.
Application procedures and access to submission forms will be activated progressively according to the published schedules. The MEDIA 2026 calls represent a key strategic tool for strengthening the competitiveness, diversity and international circulation of European audiovisual content.
Photo Credits: PxHere
