EU to launch project towards gender equality in film industry

CAIRO – 2 August 2017: European Union launches a new project called SouthMed WiA to support women in the film/audiovisual industry through a call for project proposals that will be received until September 15.

The initiative tackles issues relevant to gender equality in the sector in seven countries including Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia. The call will feature three categories including research activities, training and awareness, and training and advocacy, according to a released statement by European Union.

The budget allocated for the three categories amount a total of €340,000 ($402,339); whereas any grant awarded during this call for the proposals will be given a minimum €80,000 and a maximum of €100,000.

Amid project implementation, SouthMed WiA will support the beneficiaries of the grants through providing networking activities, coaching and training, and capacity building.

SouthMed WiA aims to contribute to the film industry by strengthening targets in all seven countries who will be able to achieve sustainable growth and various cultural aspects. The goals of the initiative are embarked through highlighting the importance of gender equality and boosting the image of women and empowering them in the film industry.

The program/ initiative ‘SouthMed WiA- Towards Greater Gender Equality: Promoting the Role and Image of Women in the Southern Mediterranean Audiovisual Sector’ was first launched last February.

The program is expected to last for a thirty-month period, where it will be led by a consortium in Spain and three NGO’s including Culture & Media Agency Europe in Belgium, Permanent Conference of the Mediterranean Audiovisual Operators in Italy, Screen Institute Beirut in Lebanon, and the Superior School of Audiovisual and Cinema in Tunisia.

The current call of proposal for projects, which is also the first, was launched in June, while the second is expected to be launched in February 2018. The best project proposals will be chosen based on their ability to contribute in delivering the message of women empowerment in the film industry.