With the support of European Unions Euromed Audiovisual programme, over 20 distributors from the South Mediterranean countries met distributors from 9 Arab countries at DIFF for the creation of the Medis Association. It was the first general assembly of the association and the first network of Mediterranean distributors. The objectives of MEDIS is to share […]
With the support of European Unions Euromed Audiovisual programme, over 20 distributors from the South Mediterranean countries met distributors from 9 Arab countries at DIFF for the creation of the Medis Association. It was the first general assembly of the association and the first network of Mediterranean distributors.
The objectives of MEDIS is to share information and know-how between members and propose legal and regulatory measures for decision makers to support the sector. The association also will promote national cinematographies in and outside the Arab region.
In order to increase the circulation of good quality films, the association will lobby national and international institutions on the need to support distribution.
It will also conduct research and set up a permanent think thank to study the evolution of the Arab film industry and will liaise with and learn from similar organisations around the world.
The general assembly elected its Board of Administrators who include Nabil Ayouch, filmmaker as the Honorary President, Mohamed Layadi of Marrakech Spectacles as President and Khaled Haddad of Jordan Pioneers Multimedia Production Company as Vice-President.
We are convinced by the power of networks to sustain the distribution sector in South Mediterranean countries, declared President Mohamed Layadi after this first general assembly.
Not only can we act collectively to raise awareness at national and international level on the importance of the distribution sector, but we can also elaborate concrete proposals for decision makers to cope with the evolution of the market. Several projects have been planned, such as conducting a study on the state of distribution in Arab countries, setting up a mechanism for the collective acquisition of film rights for the region, drafting proposals to fight piracy, and setting up a video-on-demand service.
Adeline Monzier, general secretary of Europa Distribution, who helped to draft the statutes of the Association, lauded the associations creation.
In Europe, distributors have understood the importance of having a regional network. Europa Distributions experience will be capital to help MEDIS to growth, Monzier concluded.
