Writers & Directors Worldwide, representing audiovisual creators in 69 countries across the world, today rallies behind a call by scores of European Creators for rapid adoption of the EU Copyright Directive by the European Parliament.
Discussions on the EU Copyright Directive are now at a pivotal moment, with the vote in the European Parliament approaching on 12th September. A total of 165 screenwriters and directors in Europe have today made a call at the Venice International Film Festival for the European Parliament to adopt the legislation without delay.
Some 165 leading screenwriters and directors, including Jacques Audiard, Agnieszka Holland, Lone Scherfig, Matteo Garrone, Mike Leigh, Cristian Mungiu, Lázló Nemes, Paolo Sorrentino and Pawel Pawlikowski have signed a petition calling on the European Parliament to adopt the the latest version of the EU Copyright Directive.
Mike LeighAgnieszka HollandPaolo Sorrentino
Writers & Directors Worldwide is joining its European partners in urging the European Parliament to adopt the EU Directive, sending a strong positive message to governments and the audiovisual community worldwide.
Directors and Writers are indispensable to the existence of audiovisual works, to livelihoods and jobs across the sector, and to cultural creation. But these vital contributors in Europe’s creative sector are currently being denied a guaranteed equitable share of the success of their creations for on-demand uses. A guaranteed right of remuneration is the only way to guarantee cultural diversity and tomorrow’s audiovisual creation, not only in Europe but on all continents.
The EU Copyright Directive is a unique opportunity for change. It lays down important principles that will benefit the interests of audiovisual creators in Europe, advance the cause for fair remuneration, transparency and cultural diversity across the world.
European guidelines at the time established a two-year deadline so each nation could implement this regulation according to its national legislation, but some countries such as France have already complied and are charging streaming services such as Google, YouTube and Netflix.
The European Parliament is preparing to vote on one of the most important pieces of legislation for creators from all artistic fields in the last 20 years.
European culture means putting together all singularities, all ways of life and points of view, all traditions, languages and histories that define each country.