Chair of Board Bill Anderson speaks on building a European network for film and democracy at Lichter Filmfest

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The 18th edition of the Lichter Filmfest took place in Frankfurt from 22 to 27 April 2025 and featured the 5th Congress “Future of German Film”. In this framework, Chair of FERA Board Bill Anderson participated in panel “Better Together – Towards a European Network for Film and Democracy” on 25 April.

Responding to the growing threat of far-right influence on culture and media, the session brought together filmmakers, associations, and organisations from across Europe to discuss and form a European network defending democracy, artistic freedom, and inclusion, welcoming input from filmmakers working under oppressive regimes.

FERA’s work provided some inspiration to organisations that are less successfully connected by active networks in this field.  There was productive discussion about practical ways to educate young people in the means of audiovisual articulacy – how to tell their stories on screen – as a key to better understanding the difference between artistic expression and propaganda.  Tellingly, one contributor noted that there were no representatives of the centre-right involved in this “Better Together” event – all networks should consider spreading their nets as widely as possible in the service of democracy.