The Framings and Strategies of Cinema Professionals. Report on International Understandings of the European Film Industry

The report examines the views of non-European film professionals, focusing in particular on six non-European union (EU) countries (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, and Türkiye) regarding the European film industry (EFI) both generally and in terms of its presence in these six markets. Specifically, it highlights existing linkages between European actors (at the EU level and at the level of Member States) and the six selected case studies in terms of film festivals, and co-production markets. In a context of the gradual intensification of the externalisation of cultural and audiovisual EU policy (Pauwels and Loisen, 2016), understanding the views of non-European film professionals regarding the European Film Industry and its global presence will support an evidence and needs-based approach to the continued development of international and global EU film policy, strengthening its effectiveness and impact and, consequently, supporting policies that in the long-term reinforce cultural relations between the EU and the six countries surveyed.
Methodologically, the report is based on extensive desk research of academic, policy and industrial literature, 99 semi-structured interviews with a wide range of non-European film professionals conducted from December 2023 to July 2025, and an international survey of 425 valid responses conducted between November 2024 and March 2025. It is organised as follows: first, after a brief summary of its aims, methodology and literature review (Section 1), the report discusses the six international markets (Section 2). Subsequently, the report summarises how the EFI is perceived and its presence in international markets both on a case-by-case basis and looking at the results of a common international survey (Section 3). In Section 4 the report discusses the views of film professionals regarding film festivals and in terms of co-production markets (as before, on a case-by-case basis, followed by an analysis of a common international survey), highlighting the social, cultural and industrial role that both types of initiative play. Finally, Section 5 identifies the common challenges that are revealed by the data analysis and identifies a wide range of policy implications.