CEPI welcomes CMPA and AQPM as its first international observer members

CEPI, the European Audiovisual Production Association, is delighted to welcome the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and the Association québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM) as its first international observer members, strengthening ties between European and Canadian independent producers. CEPI currently represents 3000 independent production companies across 17 countries through 19 national associations and one European association.

“The arrival of CMPA and AQPM as CEPI’s first international observer members reflects the increasingly international nature of the audiovisual industry. 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 organisations can create new opportunities for collaboration and strengthen our collective voice in defending independent production and cultural diversity on the global stage,” said Anthony Muldoon, President of CEPI.

“It is a great privilege that CEPI has granted the AQPM by welcoming it, along with the CMPA, as its first international observer members. The challenges faced by Quebec and Canadian producers mirror those of European producers, and it is more important than ever to strengthen our ties and our collective voice. Challenges such as the rise of generative artificial intelligence, the diversity of cultural expressions, audience development, and the preservation of cultural sovereignty, which allows governments to adopt policies supporting independent production companies, are among the issues we share.  I would like to thank the CEPI Board of Directors and the association’s members for giving us this opportunity to deepen our collaboration,” said Hélène Messier, President and Executive Director of the Association québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM).

“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. 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,” said Reynolds Mastin, President and CEO, CMPA. 

The three organisations will have opportunities to strengthen their dialogue and coordinate advocacy on shared priorities, including the regulation of streaming services, domestic production requirements, the protection of intellectual property rights and future coproduction opportunities. Their collaboration builds on joint efforts to defend independent production, including the statement issued by a coalition of international screen sector organisations at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, calling on governments to support domestic production requirements and the diverse stories created by local independent producers signed by over 30 international producers’ associations.

ABOUT CEPI

CEPI, the European Audiovisual Production Association, represents independent audiovisual producers across Europe. Founded in 1990 and based in Brussels, it brings together national associations and trade unions representing the audiovisual production sector. CEPI represents more than 3,000 production companies across 17 countries, advocating for a competitive, diverse and sustainable European audiovisual industry. cepi-producers.eu

ABOUT THE AQPM

Founded in 1966, the Association québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM) advises, represents, and accompanies  independent film, television, and web production companies. Its membership includes more than 150 Quebec-based companies whose productions are recognized both in Quebec and abroad. aqpm.ca

ABOUT THE CMPA

The Canadian Media Producers Association is the national advocacy organization for independent producers, representing hundreds of companies engaged in the development, production, and distribution of English-language content made for television, cinema, and digital media channels. For more than 75 years, the CMPA has worked to promote the continued success of the Canadian production sector and to ensure a bright future for the diverse content made by our members for both domestic and international audiences. cmpa.ca