RENCONTRES CINEMATOGRAPHIQUES DE BEAUNES : FOCUS ON EASTERN EUROPE, DIGITAL AND PIRACY.

The main themes of the 13th Film Forum (Rencontres cinematographiques) held in Beaune (France) were concerns over piracy and digital technology, the opening of Europe to the east and the new manna represented by the DVD market. The Forum, which closed on October 26, was attended by Viviane Reding, the European Commissioner for Culture. Emphasising the importance of the industry, French Culture Minister Jean-Jacques Aillagon said that cinema was "in second place" in the hierarchy of US exports "after the aerospace industry". Welcoming industry professionals from the countries of Eastern Europe which are set to join the European Union in 2004, including Dariusz Jablonski, president of the association of Polish producers, the speakers spoke of the otragico situation which exists in these countries in which American films represent 85% of ticket sales. Poland made 27 films last year whilst Lithuania has made only one since 1997. The future Eastern European members of the EU represent only 0.05% of the European market. "This is a tragic result. We are starting from scratch," said Andre Lange of...