Mr. Juhl, you are celebrating your 15th Anniversary but you have been recently appointed as President. What was your motivation to take over this new position in the promotion of European Films all over the world?

I like the fact that European Film Promotion brings people from a lot of different countries together and establishes a network where the exchange of knowledge and information is easily accessible and where we share the same ambition about promoting European Cinema.

You know that the MEDIA Programme has been supporting EFP since the very beginning of this promotional network. How do you see the impact of this support from MEDIA in the development of your activities?

When developing our activites it’s important that we listen to the ideas and wishes from the film industry so EFP’s activities are in tune with the the different ways the film industry develops. I think it’s important for the continued support from MEDIA that we keep our minds open and keep the activities in tune with the future.

In the near future, MEDIA will be part of a major Programme called CREATIVE EUROPE. What´s your opinion on this merge and the independence of MEDIA in this new scenario?

Well, it’s my understanding that the Commission recognizes that the different sectors of the cultural and creative industries in Europe have different structures. So I believe the intention is to keep MEDIA as a separate strand – alongside the one for Culture – in the framework of the CREATIVE EUROPE Programme. This is also what EC Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou states in an article in Screendaily from June 20th, 2012.

The MEDIA Desks and Antennae network exist since 1991, to promote the Programme in each territory. What is the relationship of EFP with these offices?

I believe the relationship is often on the level of the individual EFP member and their respective MEDIA Desk and Antennae. In Denmark we are located in the same building so we often exchange information and listen to their experience when for example considering which producer to select for EFP’s ‘Producers on the move’ activity.

What has been your impact in third territories promotion European cinema? How are you received by professionals taking part in your action plan every year?

Most of the professionals tell us that they benefit from the EFP activity that they participate in. We just had very successful edition of the ‘Producers on the Move’ activity in Cannes and received a lot of good feedback from the producers. And for the Industry Screenings in New York that just took place we had more intereste sales agents than the activity can accommodate. In general I believe it’s essential that we keep our minds open to the opinions of the professionals so we can adjust the EFP activities if necessary.

What is your impression of the Agency and ist new management procedures for MEDIA lines of support in promotion?

I believe it’s important that we keep an open dialogue with the Agency and listen to their experience. They are trying to secure that the support benefits the film industry in the best ways and that is EFP’s ambition as well.

* This Interview will be published in the september issue of "MEDIA Revista de informatión del Programa MEDIA de la UE"

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