SAA - Society of Audiovisual Authors

to take on board the Parliament’s proposal to introduce a principle of fair and proportionate remuneration for authors and performers in the proposed Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market.

The LUX Film Prize is a unique platform for European filmmakers’ works to reach European audiences at large by providing visibility and subtitles in the EU official languages. In order to foster a vibrant creative environment at a time when the online exploitation of audiovisual works is increasing, European filmmakers are calling on EU institutions to support them in finally sharing in the economic success of their work. 

Following the adoption of the European Parliament’s position on the proposed Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market on 12 September, interinstitutional negotiations have started, with the objective of reaching an agreement by the end of the year. The European Parliament proposed to introduce a much-needed principle of fair and proportionate remuneration for authors and performers, leaving flexibility to Member States on the choice of the implementation instrument (collective bargaining agreements, collective management of rights, statutory remuneration mechanisms) provided that authors and performers receive remuneration from the revenues derived from the exploitation of their works.

Quotes

“Representative organisations of screenwriters and directors have asked for it, more than 21,000 petition signatories support it, The European Parliament proposed it and now we, the finalists of the LUX Film Prize, call for it. It is time that the Commission and Council listen and re-balance the level playing-field to include authors in the ecosystem of the exploitation of their works”, said Benedikt Erlingsson, Wolfgang Fischer and Mila Turajlic, the LUX Film Prize finalists of 2018.

“The LUX Film Prize pays tribute to the unique diversity and quality of European cinema. Fostering European audiovisual authors’ creative freedom entails enabling them to make a sustainable living, and therefore to benefit from the success of their works.”, said Pauline Durand-Vialle, FERA Chief Executive.

“Collections of royalties for audiovisual authors represent 6,4% according to the CISAC Global Report. Collections for digital rights only amount to 2,4% of this total. Including a principle of fair and proportionate remuneration in the new Directive on Copyright is essential for authors to fairly benefit from the success of their works, in relation to the actual distribution and consumption of film and TV”, said Cécile Despringre, SAA Executive Director.

Notes to Editors 

LUX Film Prize and SAA, in partnership with FERA and FSE have invited Members of the European Parliament, screenwriters and directors and their representative organisations for a dinner on the evening of 13 November in the European Parliament in Strasbourg to celebrate the finalists and look at the way forward for audiovisual authors inthe Copyright Directive.

For interview opportunities please contact Annica Ryngbeck, +32 475 66 95 94.

Download the open letter in English and in French