Brussels, 16/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - During a meeting with Constance Le Grip MEP (EPP, France) in a backdrop to the European Parliament plenary session on 16 December, representatives from European screenwriters and directors called on the EP to put authors at the centre of cultural policy, without delay.
Underlining the vitality of audio-visual and cinematographic creativity, these cultural professionals are calling on the EP to play an important role in facilitating the circulation of cultural goods and ensuring fair remuneration for those creating them. The European Commission is currently preparing the presentation of a proposal on reforming the European copyright framework. The delegation of cultural representatives emphasised “the need for any future legislation to avoid jeopardising the funding of cultural goods, their creation and distribution”. They also demanded that legislation was used to “strengthen copyright and allow for fair remuneration for the use of their work throughout Europe”.
The FERA (Federation of European Film Directors), FSE (Federation of Screenwriters in Europe) and the SAA (Society of Audio-visual Authors) underlined the seven key areas for taking action where the EP could play a positive role in promoting the rights of audio-visual authors over the next five years.
Lux Prize. The EP's Lux prize is awarded every year to the film most representative of European values. The prize will be awarded this Wednesday and in this connection the head of the SAA, Cécile Despringre, stated, “the Lux prize demonstrates the European Parliament's support for European cinema, particularly for films that tell strong stories about our continent and about ourselves, as European citizens. The screenwriters and directors attending today also want to encourage Parliament to include this issue in its legislative programme as a means of helping films reach their audiences throughout Europe, by ensuring fair remuneration for authors, particularly in the digital environment”. (IL)