Film heritage: collection and preservation, competitiveness of related industrial activities

 The committee adopted the report by Gyula HEGYI(PES, HU) broadly approving the proposal, subject to a number of amendments under the 1st reading of the codecision procedure. The committee wanted to see an improvement in conditions for the conservation, restoration and exploitation of  the film heritage and the removal of obstacles to the development and full competitiveness of the European film industry. It urged the Member States to consider "establishing national film academies where these do not exist, or supporting them". MEPs also recommended that Member States establish a system of mandatory deposit of cinematographic works with national archives, and set up a database at the European Audiovisual Observatory. Measures should be taken to guarantee access to deposited works for disabled people.

The committee also stressed the need for increased use of digital and new technologies in the collection, cataloguing, preservation and restoration of cinematographic works.

Other recommendations included: promoting the use of the film heritage as a way of strengthening the European dimension in education and promoting cultural diversity;  and fostering the development of a European network of cinema schools and museums.