Strategy for gender equality

Eurimages has been addressing the issue of gender equality in the film industry since 2012.

Three Gender Equality Strategies: 2016-2017, 2018-2020 and 2021-2023 (prolonged for the year 2024) were adopted by the Fund to address the problem of under-representation of women in cinema by implementing a series of measures to promote the role of women in front of and behind the camera.

At its meeting in Lucerne (Switzerland) on 6 December 2024, the Board of Management of Eurimages adopted its first integrated strategy for gender equality, diversity and inclusion (2025-2027).

 New measure to boost gender equality in 2022

Since January 2022, projects directed or co-directed by a woman can apply to Eurimages for support amounts of up to 25% of the total budget, across all genres (fiction, animation, documentary). The maximum support amount of 500 000 euros continues to apply.

 Aiming for 50/50

As part of its strategy, Eurimages has embraced the aim of achieving equal distribution of co-production funding between women and men. The Fund’s progress towards this aim is shown in the “Eurimages supports Gender Equality” graph published on our website. The “current status” percentage in the graphic reflects the share of total financial support awarded to projects directed by women and is calculated as a sliding average over the last three decision meetings. 

 Increasing the visibility of female talent

Improving the visibility of talented female directors and sharing best practice and know-how is a pivotal tool in the Eurimages' 2025-2027 action plan. This includes:

• sharing information on the gender equality strategy
• the Audentia Award 
• sponsorships and patronage
• the 2017 Council of Europe Recommendation on Gender Equality in the Audiovisual Sector
• the 2020 Eurimages campaign image
• the Gold Album - Female Directors celebrating 50 films made by female directors
• social media coverage

For other initiatives see below