End of the Year 2025 - Message from CEPI President, Anthony Muldoon

CEPI
3 minutes ago
2 min read

CEPI represents 2,600 independent production companies across 17 countries through 19 national associations and a pan-European animation association. CEPI is the largest European association of independent producers.

Our core mission is to represent and advocate for the interests of independent producers, who are at the heart of the creative industries, navigating the transformative challenges within the audiovisual and film sector.

Producers are creative entrepreneurs who develop and produce celebrated films, animation, documentaries and TV content, while promoting Europe’s artistic culture and heritage. The independent production sector is also an integral element in the delivery of public service media to audiences across Europe, ensuring diversity, innovation and high-quality content.

As part of the cultural and creative sectors in the European economy, the audiovisual industry has an exceptional cultural, social and economic impact, that few other cultural sectors can match. It not only creates employment but also strengthens local creativity and promotes cross-border collaboration between European countries.

Our sector is valued at nearly €130 billion, and employs roughly 490,000 people.

A forward-looking European audiovisual policy has the potential to be highly successful. However, this requires a solid foundation built on established principles, a thorough and clear analysis of the current landscape and policies that are able to seize emerging opportunities while addressing the challenges facing the industry and upholding the protection of intellectual property.

As 2025 comes to an end, we look ahead to 2026, which is going to be a significant and pivotal year for audiovisual policies across Europe. Key policy priorities include:

(i) the evaluation and possible review of the AVMS Directive by the European Commission, to be delivered in November/December (quotas and prominence, investment obligations, and the definition of "European Works"),

(ii) the evaluation and possible review of the Copyright Directive, notably regarding the text and data mining exceptions for AI scraping

(iii) ensuring that independent producers are placed back at the centre of the AgoraEU Programme, which is replacing the Creative Europe Media Programme in 2028; and

(iv) the use of AI in the creative industries and the implementation of the AI Act.

Throughout 2026, CEPI will continue to actively represent and defend the interests of our members and the wider sector at European level. We look forward to working closely with you during this crucial period and to ensuring that the voice of independent producers remains strong, visible, and influential in European policymaking.

Yours sincerely,

Anthony Muldoon

CEPI President