The last time I wrote was at the end of July, when I wished everyone a relaxing summer break. Yes, I had a break, but it feels like a long time ago already! Since my return and participation in a Cinelink panel at the Sarajevo Film Festival on 21 August, my workload has increased rapidly and is not going to stop soon. There are lots of meetings and conferences to attend and important discussions to have with our members, other stakeholders, experts and policymakers on authors' rights, copyright and AI.

July was a particularly busy month until the last day. I'm glad I didn't plan big holidays, which would have been affected by the publication of the European Parliament's draft report, code of practice and transparency template! I will now be taking a break, and I am confident that my colleagues Annica and Luisiana will be able to take care of everything in my absence.

From the outside, June might seem like a calmer month, but there is still a lot going on behind the scenes!

I started May in the beautiful city of Florence, Italy, where I recharged my batteries with incredible architecture, museums, gardens and restaurants! I came back full of energy to enjoy a series of upbeat events that are worth celebrating as it does not happen so often: the EU Culture Ministers' Council meeting, the Cannes Film Festival, and the EU Parliament's Culture committee hearing on AI.

Judging by all the activity in a single month, my team and I feel it has been more like a whole quarter of a year! Let me share some of the highlights with you.

AI and the EU Code of Practice, preparing for our co-organised side event in Geneva, meeting with MEPs and news from the SAA Board of Patrons. Read SAA Secretary General Cécile Despringre's March digest.

February saw the start of my travels with the Berlinale, and AI remained high on our agenda. My team and I have spent a lot of time responding to consultations and writing joint statements. In the face of the big tech industry, our individual advocacy efforts may seem too small to make a difference, but I firmly believe the saying that 'small streams make great rivers'. Together with authors and partner organisations, we will continue to reiterate our message for authorisation, remuneration and transpar

Although the days are slowly getting longer, I must admit that the way the world is going, I am feeling rather gloomy about what this year will bring. At the same time, I remain positive about what my dedicated team and our committed member organisations can achieve together!

A few final words about the SAA activities in December before wishing you all happy holidays and a great start to the New Year!

November was an eventful month of meetings with the members, policymakers and partners. Some of the activities included a workshop to set our long-term direction, preparing our contribution to the AI Act Code of Practice, delivering a joint stakeholder address to EU's Culture Ministers, and getting involved in 'Big Tech' court cases against Belgium. 

In October, I travelled to Budapest and Warsaw, organised two working group meetings with the SAA members, prepared for our all-member meeting in Brussels in November and started introducing Luisiana, our new Policy and Legal Officer, to the copyright experts in the Permanent Representations of the Member States.

What a month of September! When I came back from my summer holidays on 20 August, I knew that it had a lot to prepare for September, but I did not imagine that the month would be so busy.