The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and the Association québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM) have been welcomed as the first international observer members of CEPI, the European Audiovisual Production Association, representing independent audiovisual producers across Europe.
CEPI currently represents 3,000 independent production companies across 17 countries. The CMPA says its observer membership presents an opportunity to strengthen ties between European and Canadian independent producers, including coordinating advocacy on shared priorities like regulation of streaming services, domestic production requirements, protection of intellectual property rights and future co-production opportunities.
“The arrival of CMPA and AQPM as CEPI’s first international observer members reflects the increasingly international nature of the audiovisual industry,” said Anthony Muldoon, President, CEPI, in an announcement. “While Europe and Canada may be an ocean apart, the challenges and opportunities facing our independent production sectors are remarkably similar. We share a commitment to supporting independent producers and creating original stories that reflect our respective cultural realities. With a rich history of co-productions between Canada and European countries, closer ties between our organizations can create new opportunities for collaboration and strengthen our collective voice in defending independent production and cultural diversity on the global stage.”
The increased collaboration builds on previous joint efforts to defend independent production, including a statement issued by a coalition of 23 international screen sector organizations during the Toronto International Film Festival in September, urging governments worldwide to support domestic production requirements and champion the diverse stories created by local independent production.
“Canadian and European independent producers face many of the same challenges, from modernizing regulations for the digital age to ensuring that local stories continue to be told, and to making sure domestic producers have a fair opportunity to own their work,” added CMPA President & CEO Reynolds Mastin. “We are stronger when we tackle these challenges together. With a long history of co-production and shared values, we look forward to working with our European colleagues at CEPI to secure a bright future for domestic storytelling, and the hundreds of thousands of people in Canada who work in this sector.”
