This pivotal panel discussion was held in Riga on 21 October 2023 emphasizing the need for a robust co-production environment in European TV series production. The event held under the auspices of the Latvian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and co-organized by RIGA IFF in cooperation with the National Film Centre of Latvia and the Latvian Ministry of Culture, aimed to underscore the importance of fostering a robust and effective co-production environment of the series by supporting it financially and setting a practice standard.

Experts in the panel delved into the evolving landscape of European TV production, addressing critical issues such as scale, independence, and diversity, particularly in the face of a globally challenging market. The panellists highlighted the importance of maintaining producer independence and cultural diversity in content creation, acknowledging the challenges of competing globally while preserving European cultural values.

The significance of European co-production and collaboration was brought forward as a key strategy to achieve both scale and cultural diversity. This approach, they argued, would bridge the gaps between independent producers, streaming services, and broadcasters, thereby enhancing collaboration and mutual growth. The panel also recognized the crucial role of public funding in upholding European values against the backdrop of AI-driven algorithms and market commoditization.

A major point of discussion was the challenges faced by smaller nations in participating in co-productions. The panel advocated for more inclusive approaches, emphasizing that diversity should be meaningful and extend beyond tokenism. They called for the inclusion of new and diverse voices in the creative process.

Additionally, the panel highlighted the need to recognize series as a distinct art form, acknowledging its significant impact on audience and society. This comprehensive discussion underlined the importance of cooperation, creativity, and a commitment to European values in shaping the future of the continent's film and TV production.

The panel featured notable industry figures including NEBOJŠA TARABA (Producer/creator and co-owner, Drugi Plan), ALISE ĢELZE (Producer, White Picture), JARMO LAMPELA (Head of Drama, YLE), DR. SIMONE EMMELIUS (Senior Vice President International Fiction – Coproduction and Acquisition, ZDF), and was moderated by Michael Gubbins (Sampo Media).

The second part of the event included a conversation on the future of financing series in the Baltics.
KARLO FUNK (Audio-visual and digital culture advisor, Ministry of Culture of Estonia), LAIMONAS UBAVIČIUS (CEO, Lithuanian Film Centre), DITA RIETUMA (Director, National Film Centre of Latvia), INGA BLESE (Head of Production and Development at the National Film Centre of Latvia), ELĪNA ĻITVINOVA (Producer, founder of Three Brothers) ARTA ĢIGA (Editor-in-Chief, producer, Red Dot Media) looked for answers related to what the future holds for series’ production in markets the size of Baltics and similar? How should series be funded – and what is the role of national film centres and other policy makers in promoting the series format in the age of streaming platforms?