Société des Auteurs Audiovisuels
Society of Audiovisual Authors

Cécile Despringre has studied International and European law at the University of Paris I and obtained a Master in International Economic Law in 1996. After a traineeship at the Delegation of the European Commission to International Organisations in Geneva, she started working in 1997 as the European Affairs Officer of SACD in Brussels and became at the same time the Legal advisor of FERA (Federation of European Film Directors) and AIDAA (International Association of Audiovisual Authors). In 2001, she moved to SACD headquarters in Paris and was promoted Deputy Director for European affairs and Trade Negotiations. Since then she has been involved in the movement of the Coalitions for Cultural Diversity. In 2006, she became the CEO of FERA and managed this European network of directors’ organisations during three years.

James has been working in the cultural and creative industries sector in Brussels for nearly 5 years. Having worked for the European Music Office, he was then involved in the establishment of a new secretariat for IMPALA - the independent music companies association.  In his position of communications and membership services manager at IMPALA, James helped launch a number of initiatives including the European Independent Album of the Year Award.

He is fluent in English, French and German.

Marie-Luise has a background in cultural management and administration. She has assured the co-ordination and administration of several interdisciplinary artistic projects in Berlin and worked as an administrator and team coordinator for a Brussels based EU Policy Evaluation consultancy.

She is fluent in German, French, English and Dutch.