The circulation of European co-productions and entirely national films in Europe 2001 to 2007

In this study the European Audiovisual Observatory analyses the circulation and performance of
European co-productions compared to 100% national European films, both inside and outside their
national markets. Circulation is compared in terms of average number of release markets for each of
the two types of films as well as in terms of the percentage of films that get released on at least one
non-national market. Performance is measured by comparing the respective cumulative average
admissions for each type of film, on their national and non-national markets as well as on a total level.
The analysis employs a pragmatic approach by analysing the largest possible data set for which
reliable and coherent data are available. The data sample comprises a total of 5 414 films with
theatrical release between 2001 and 2007 in 20 selected European markets with comprehensive
coverage. The data are drawn from the Observatory’s LUMIERE database1.
Three key conclusions can be drawn from the data analysed:
1. European co-productions travel better than their 100% national counterparts in the sense that
on average (mean) co-productions get released in more than twice as many markets as
national films. In addition 77% of all co-productions get released on at least one non-national
market, compared to 33% of entirely national films;
2. European co-productions attract on average 2.7 times as many admissions as their national
peers with co-productions generating on average 51 785 admissions (median value)
compared to 19 137 for 100% national films;
3. Non-national markets are more important for co-productions than for entirely national films in
terms of admissions, with non-national admissions accounting for 41% of total admissions to
co-productions compared to 15% in the case of entirely national films.