Signing Ceremony of the new Convention on the Co-production of Serial Audiovisual Works

The opening Signing Ceremony of the new Convention on the Co-Production of Serial Audiovisual Works, promoted by the Council of Europe, was held on March 26 in Lille, as part of the Series Mania Forum. This was a significant moment for the European and international audiovisual sector, marking the launch of a new regulatory framework designed to respond to the industry’s transformation.

The ceremony was presided over by Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, in the presence of institutional representatives and industry professionals. Lucia Borgonzoni, Under-Secretary of State for Culture, represented Italy.

The Convention, strongly supported by APA also through CEPI, introduces the first international legal instrument specifically dedicated to the independent co-production of series for television and streaming platforms.

Recognising the fundamental role of independent producers in the creative and technical decisions concerning a work, the Convention specifies that their share in rights and revenues must reflect not only their financial contribution but also the creative and technical input they provide.

The Convention also clearly states that exploitation rights for audiovisual series co- produced under its framework may not be licensed in perpetuity and that, in any case, licence periods must allow independent producers to benefit from the residual value of those rights.
Finally, it provides that audience data must be shared with all parties involved.

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