On March 26th, Series Mania Forum will host a landmark event for the international audiovisual sector. Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset will chair a ceremony to open the new Council of Europe Convention on the Co-production of Audiovisual Works in the form of Series for signature. The signing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at the Théâtre Marie Curie in the Lille Grand Palais.
This convention represents the first international legal framework designed specifically to regulate and support the independent co-production of series across television and streaming platforms. The initiative aims to achieve several key objectives for the industry: Strengthen cultural cooperation across borders. Provide vital support to independent producers. Enhance overall transparency within a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Berset highlighted the cultural impact of television and streaming narratives. ‘Series are one of the defining cultural forms of our time, reaching audiences across borders and bringing different perspectives into our homes’, stated. He emphasized that the new framework is designed to support independent producers and urged the 46 Council of Europe Member States, along with non-member countries, to participate in making culture a force for democracy and cooperation.
Laurence Herszberg, Founder and General Director of Series Mania, expressed pride in hosting the historic signing during the Lille Dialogues summit. “This Convention marks a major step forward for the industry,” Herszberg noted, adding that it aligns with Series Mania’s core mission to bring more diverse series to audiences worldwide.
The Lille Dialogues Summit
In addition to chairing the signing ceremony, Secretary General Berset is slated to deliver the opening speech at the Lille Dialogues. This international summit, held as part of the Series Mania Forum, gathers political decision-makers and audiovisual industry leaders to address the major strategic challenges facing the sector today.
