Venice Film Festival 2025: The European Producers Club had a strong presence

In the framework of a renewed partnership with the Venice Film Festival, The European Producers Club (EPC), the network of 200 leading independent film and TV producers, has multiplied activities and exchanges. For example, 20 EPC members were invited to participate in the Venice Production Bridge, the film market of the Venice International Film Festival, to meet with projects leaders and publishers.

In addition, EPC joined forces for the first time with EAVE and ACE, Europe’s leading training and networking programs for producers, to organize a joint reception celebrating independent producers.

On the other note, a networking event with the Roma Lazio Film Commission brought together 50 EPC producers, fostering new opportunities for collaboration and coproduction across Europe.

EPC members also took part in a working session between distributors and producers, organized by Europa Distribution. Called “From Stories to Screens”, the event gathered around 70 professionals for an intensive exchange and EPC President Dariusz Jablonski and Board member Pandora da Cunha Telles spoke at the panel “Platforms & Producers: Building Bridges Toward New Models and Synergies” and shared their practical experiences working with streamers.

EPC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FESTIVALS  

Firmly committed to enhancing the role of independent creative producers in Europe, EPC discussed during its plenary meeting a set of recommendations for festivals and film awards. These recommendations focus on four key areas: Improved Visibility in Festival Communications;  Stronger Recognition in Ceremonies; Consideration of Jury Eligibility and Representation; Enhanced Invitations and Hospitality for Producers of Selected Films.

CONTINUING DIALOGUE  

On the policy front, EPC was invited to join the policy roundtable organized by the European Commission in presence of Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen.  A wide range of topics was discussed, including AI, the next European budget and AgoraEU, the new umbrella program financing of creative industries.  

On the other hand, the EPC President, Dariusz Jablonski expressed the following key messages:  The need to preserve the specificity of MEDIA - now merged into AgoraEU - making sure that it will be dedicated to supporting the European independent sector, fostering coproductions, with an increased budget to address the new challenges facing the audiovisual industry.

A call for the European Commission to protect the AVMS Directive — the backbone of cultural diversity in the audiovisual sector — from foreign attacks of US administration and some streamers in the framework of legal cases in Belgium and France. As a powerful instrument to promote European works through quotas and financial obligations, which already deliver tangible results, it should remain flexible for different Member States’ implementation approaches.

The essential role of copyright and territorial exclusivity, supported by geo-blocking, in the financing and distribution of European films. The pressing need to protect copyright in the age of generative AI.