FERA discusses authorship, remuneration and creation at 29th Málaga Film Festival

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On March 8, the 29th Málaga Film Festival featured the roundtable discussion ‘Creation as an Act and a Right’, organised by Spanish member ACCIÓN at the Thyssen Museum in Málaga.

The first session brought together CEO Julie Belgrado and board members Martijn Winkler, and Giovanna Ribes as moderator. The discussion framed filmmaking as an act of expression, one that transforms ideas, emotions, and perspectives into stories capable to resonate across society. Yet, this creative process is inseparable from both risk and responsibility. Directors are not only storytellers but cultural agents whose work carries weight in shaping public discourse.

The speakers discussed the recognition of authorship. Julie Belgrado underscored the importance of acknowledging the creative origin of a film, pointing out that different regions approach this issue in contrasting ways. She referenced the U.S. copyright culture to stress the need for stronger awareness in Europe about the labour and artistry behind filmmaking. Cinema must be defended and promoted as culture.

The conversation also addressed the structural conditions that enable creative freedom. Winkler highlighted the necessity of fair compensation for directors, arguing that without it, diversity of voices and artistic independence are at risk. While acknowledging the varying national contexts across Europe, he stressed the urgency of reaching sustainable agreements that ensure directors can continue to work under viable conditions.

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To go further:

Festival de Màlaga: ACCIÓN debate sobre ‘La creación como acto y como derecho (autoría, remuneración y contenido)’ en el 29 Festival de Cine