What does it mean to be an “indie” film and TV producer in Europe? What are the challenges in an ever-changing landscape with new and powerful players such as the FAANGs (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google)? What are the benefits arising from the independent sector for other players? And what can European policy-making do to boost the independent production sector as a hotbed of new creation and talent? The European Audiovisual Observatory invites you to the sixth edition of its annual Brussels conference: TV and film production in Europe – The state of independence?

This free entry public conference will take place in Brussels on Tuesday 4 February from 13.00 – 15.00. A buffet lunch will be held from 11.45 to 13.00 and the actual conference takes place from 13.00 – 15.00. The event will take place at the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the European Union, 77, rue Wiertz, 1000 Brussels.

Participation is free but registration is compulsory. Register for free here. 

The Observatory’s Executive Director, Susanne Nikoltchev, stated that “there is no better time to bring independent production in Europe into the spotlight” She added that this year’s Observatory conference would “drill down into the challenges and chances for the European audiovisual sector in the face of a totally transformed European media landscape.”

The economic scene setting will be provided by Gilles Fontaine, Head of the Observatory’s Department for Information on Markets and Financing.

The legal provisions concerning independent production will be analysed by Maja Cappello, Head of the Observatory’s Department for Legal Information.

An expert panel discussion will bring together European producers, representatives from major private and public broadcasters (such as the German Bayerischer Rundfunk), VOD platforms and a representative from the European Commission. Confirmed speakers include Carolina Lorenzon, Director of International Affairs at Mediaset, Carlos Gerstenhauer, Commissioning Editor for fiction from Bayerischer Rundfunk, Alexandra Lebret, Director General of the European Producers’ Club, Anna Herold, Head of Unit, Audiovisual and Media Policy at the European Commission, Renate Doerr, responsible for Regulatory and European Affairs at ZDF,  Jérôme Dechesne Deputy General Manager, USPA and  Jérémie Kessler Responsible for European Affairs, CNC.

The working language of this conference is English.