The European Audiovisual Observatory has been providing facts and figures on the film, television and video industries in Europe since 1992. So 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of this Council of Europe body, based in Strasbourg, France.
Each January a different Observatory member country takes over its yearly rotating Presidency. In 2021 the Observatory Presidency was held by the UK. Following on to celebrate this special anniversary is Estonia, represented by Edith Sepp, Head of the Estonian Film Institute.
As every year, a public media conference is hosted by the Presidency of the Observatory in the first half of June. This will take place in hybrid form according to the international situation. The subject chosen by the Estonian presidency concerns creators in Europe's screen sectors.
Edith Sepp stated: “We are delighted to assume the Presidency of the European Audiovisual Observatory in such a key year. We’re clearly looking forward to supporting the Observatory’s 30th birthday celebrations even if the international situation will mean inevitable restrictions. We’ll be creative!”
Susanne Nikoltchev, the Observatory’s Executive Director, thanked the outgoing UK Presidency for “bringing green issues into the Observatory’s radar, where this subject will certainly stay.” Nikoltchev also thanked the 2021 UK Presidency for its “warmth, reactivity and pragmatism in a logistically challenging year”. She looked forward to working with Estonia as “an extremely dynamic and steadfast partner of the European Audiovisual Observatory”.