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SAA - Society of Audiovisual Authors

Conference: Audiovisual authors' rights in disruptive times

4 November 2025 Events
anniversary, SAA, art, Rocio
© Rocío Álvarez © Rocío Álvarez

In a rapidly evolving landscape, audiovisual authors' rights face unprecedented challenges. While the AI Act represents significant progress, the intersection with copyright law enforcement remains largely unresolved. European authors, other rightholders and CMOs struggle to maintain control over their works as AI companies seek to circumvent licensing obligations, and existing legal frameworks prove ineffective. For Europe's screenwriters and directors, these technological disruptions threaten the very foundation of sustainable creative careers. The conference will examine these challenges, still celebrate our collective achievements over the years, and explore new strategies to protect and advance authors' rights in these disruptive times.

SAA 15th Anniversary Conference and Networking

4 November 2025 I Full Circle, Brussels 

By invitation only - contact us if interested.

Programme

15:00-15:30 I Welcome and registration

15:30-15:45 I Conference opening

  • Cécile Despringre, SAA Secretary General
  • Anna Gumbau, Master of Ceremony

Keynote speech I The Future of European Culture

  • Glenn Micallef, EU Commissioner for Intergenerational Justice, Youth, Culture and Sport (video)

15:45-16:45 I Building the foundation: 15 years of audiovisual authors' rights advocacy

Confirmed panellists:

  • Jochen Greve, German screenwriter for film and TV, SAA Patron and board member of VG WORT
  • Barbara Hayes, SAA Chair (ALCS)
  • Brando Benifei, MEP, Chair of the delegation for relations with the US

16:45-17:00 I Coffee break

17:00-17:15 I Fireside talk

Teona Strugar Mitevska, screenwriter and director, North Macedonia, LUX Audience Award winner 2019 (‘God Exists, Her Name is Petrunya’), in conversation with Bill Anderson, Chair of FERA.

17:15-18:15 I Navigating digital disruption - streaming platforms and AI in the audiovisual landscape

Panellists:

  • Cato Kusters, Belgian director, SAA Patron and member of deAuteurs
  • Jana Vozárová, SAA board member (LITA)
  • Aleksander Pietrzak, Polish director and writer, SAA Patron and board member of ZAPA
  • Patrick Raude, SAA Vice-Chair (SACD)
  • Emma Rafowicz, MEP, Vice-Chair of the Culture Committee

18:15-18:45 I Conference conclusions

  • Barbara Hayes, SAA Chair

19:00-22:00 | Networking reception and walking dinner

Celebrating human creativity

To mark our milestone anniversary, the SAA proudly presents an original artwork by Spanish painter, illustrator, and animator Rocío Álvarez. This commissioned piece embodies our commitment to defending the value and livelihood of Europe's creative professionals. Through supporting human artistry, we reaffirm that authentic creativity remains irreplaceable in our digital age.