SAA is turning 10!

On 9 February 2010, nine collective management organisations (CMOs) came together and established the SAA. Today, 33 CMOs managing rights for audiovisual authors in 25 countries are members of the Society of Audiovisual Authors. ´Watch a short video testimony from Barbara Hayes, Chair of the SAA about how it all started.

A lot has been achieved in one decade, yet, much remains to be done to continue support European filmmakers and promote cultural diversity. In these uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SAA tries to remain positive that society at large will come out of this crisis and the cultural and creative sector will recover. Together with our members, we are working to address the devastating situation by ensuring that authors’ royalties are distributed on time and even in advance, social funds are mobilised, and efforts are made to advocate for authors not be left behind by governments’ emergency plans.

EU ACTION

Sign the petition to #saveEUculture

The SAA signed an open letter to the EU and Member States demanding support for the cultural and creative sectors during the COVID-19 crisis, initiated by Niklas Nienaß and Salima Yenbou, Members of the European Parliament. The letter received the endorsement of more than 100 MEPs as well as more than 300 stakeholders’ organisations. Read more.

STATEMENT

Joint Film and Audiovisual Sector COVID-19 Statement

The SAA is one of many organisations that signed a statement calling for urgent action by EU and Member State decision-makers to safeguard the future of the sector in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, following in the footsteps of initial emergency measures announced at national level, including by film funds and other bodies. Read more.

PRESS RELEASE

One year after the EU Copyright Directive

The 26 March marked one year since the European Parliament adopted the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market. However, this anniversary takes place in the context of an health crisis linked to the COVID-19 and its devastating effects on the cultural and audiovisual sector. Most audiovisual authors are freelancers and struggle to make ends meet in normal times (study). The recent outbreak makes their situation worse and proves the point that royalties on the exploitation of their works, and particularly online, are or should be an essential part of filmmakers’ income. Read our press release.

Jan Komasa, Polish Director

VIDEO

Director Jan Komasa about being a young filmmaker in Europe

With L’ARP (French association of screenwriters, directors and producers) and our member SACD, we continued our partnership to propose exclusive premieres of European films followed by a discussion with the director. On 25 February 2020, “Corpus Christi” in the presence of the director Jan Komasa, who was then interviewed by the SAA in partnership with Cineuropa. Watch the video.

Helga Trüpel, former Member of the European Parliament

VIDEO

Anniversary greetings from Helga Trüpel

The commitment and work by many political leaders throughout the years have been instrumental for the achievements reached for authors in Europe. Without them, the EU would not have had its copyright legislation in place, including the principle of fair and proportionate remuneration for the exploitation of authors' works (Article 18). Helga Trüpel is one of these politicians. Watch the video.

BLOG

Read our latest blog posts

23 Mar: How COVID-19 contaminates the film sector
17 Mar: 2019 – A year of changes
21 Feb: 3 ways filmmakers support the SAA
3 Feb: Shrinking space for filmmakers’ artistic freedom in Europe