On 26 March at the Series Mania forum in Lille, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset will chair a ceremony to open for signature the new Council of Europe Convention on the co-production of audiovisual works in the form of series.
The first international legal framework specifically dedicated to the independent co-production of series for television and streaming platforms, the convention marks a significant step for the European and international audiovisual sector: it strengthens cultural cooperation, supports independent producers and enhances transparency in a fast-moving world.
Making culture a force for democracy
“Series are one of the defining cultural forms of our time, reaching audiences across borders and bringing different perspectives into our homes,” said Secretary General Berset in advance of the event. “With this convention, we are opening a new international framework to support independent producers and strengthen cooperation. I encourage all 46 Council of Europe Member States – and countries beyond – to join us in making culture a force for cooperation and democracy.”
Laurence Herszberg, founder and General Director of Series Mania, remarked: “We are honoured to host this historic signing at Series Mania as part of the Lille dialogues, our international summit bringing together political decision makers and leading industry figures to shape the future of Europe’s audiovisual sector. This convention marks a major step forward for the industry. It will help bring more diverse series to audiences across Europe and beyond, a mission that has always been at the heart of Series Mania.”
Alain Berset to deliver speech to industry leaders
Also in Lille, the Secretary General will deliver an opening speech to the Lille dialogues, an international summit that brings together political decision-makers and audiovisual industry leaders to discuss the sector’s major strategic challenges as part of the Series Mania forum.
Based in Lille since 2018, Series Mania has become the biggest event in Europe dedicated uniquely to television series. Its festival offers exclusive world premieres of the greatest international series on the big screen, giving its audience – up to 108,000 spectators – eight days of discoveries, parties and masterclasses with renowned personalities in the series world. At the same time, Series Mania welcomes 5,000 professionals from over 75 countries, 84 exhibitors, 25 international delegations at Series Mania forum including the anticipated Lille dialogues summit.
The Council of Europe Convention on the co-production of audiovisual works in the form of series
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