Two films supported by the Creative Europe – MEDIA programme were awarded a Silver Bear at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), one of the world’s leading film festivals.

Danish actress Trine Dyrholm received the Silver Bear for Best Actress for her role in the film Kollektivet (The Commune) by Thomas Vinterberg.

Polish movie United States of Love by Tomasz Wasilewski won the Silver Bear for Best Script. Independent juries also awarded other films supported by MEDIA (more information here).

In total 20 EU-funded films were pre-selected for the competition. Vice-President Ansip, in charge of the Digital Single Market, and Commissioner Oettinger, responsible for the Digital Economy and Society, said: “We congratulate all the winners for such a great success. Their work contributes to our cultural diversity. We will continue to support creativity with our MEDIA programme – which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year – and through our work to create a Digital Single Market. Our aim is help creators succeed in the digital era and promote the circulation of their masterpieces across Europe”.

EU-funded films were also successful at the British Academy Film Awards ceremony on 14 February: Amy directed by Asif Kapadia won the Best Documentary Award and Brooklyn directed by John Crowley and Paul Tsan was awarded the Outstanding British Film.