FERA’s contribution to European Commission call for evidence on the Cultural Compass calls to explicitly include European audiovisual sector

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First mentioned in Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Commissioner Glenn Micallef’s mission letter, the Cultural Compass aims to be a new policy approach to culture at EU level.

The Cultural Compass is a guiding framework designed to harness the multi dimensions of culture across EU policy areas. It aims to support the cultural and creative sectors (CCS), by improving artists’ working conditions – including in the age of AI – while promoting culture as a catalyst for international cooperation, social inclusion, and democratic participation. The Compass encourages the integration of culture into broader policy goals, from climate action to competitiveness, and underscores the role of CCS in driving positive change in other industries.

This consultation is the first step in the development of the Cultural Compass, which adoption by the European Commission is planned for the 4^th quarter of 2025. FERA’s contribution calls to explicitly include audiovisual creation and the European film and TV sector in this strategic framework.

 

The Federation of European Screen Directors (FERA), representing film, television, and streaming directors recognised as primary audiovisual authors, welcomes the European Commission’s plan to develop a Culture Compass for Europe. Film and audiovisual works are central to Europe’s cultural identity and democracy, especially in the digital age. They are not just economic assets or entertainment products: they are cultural expressions that reflect, question, and shape our societies. As storytellers, screen directors craft narratives that embody Europe’s diversity and values.

With creation at its heart, the audiovisual ecosystem including development, production, distribution, exhibition, and preservation is a cultural sector that must be clearly recognised as such in European policy. Without an explicit focus, cultural strategies risk overlooking this sector and failing to address its urgent challenges.

1. 1. Film and audiovisual works, essential in the digital age

Audiovisual works are among the most powerful and accessible forms of cultural expression today. The Culture Compass must fully integrate the sector as vital to EU culture not just for its economic contribution, but for its role in strengthening democratic values and cultural diversity.

2. 2. Protecting Artistic Freedom

Artistic freedom is increasingly under threat in our sector. In some Member States, rising political and ideological pressures have led to censorship, interference with the media and funding restrictions. Global platforms also shape creation through opaque algorithms and market dominance. The EU must reaffirm its commitment to both artistic freedom and media pluralism as core democratic values.

3. 3. Addressing the impact of AI on human creation

Generative AI presents both opportunities and risks. Without oversight, it could undermine human creativity, authorship and the value of original works. Transparency, consent and fair remuneration for use of creators works, as well as for the use of GenAI in creative work, remain unresolved. The Culture Compass must advocate for policies that promote human creativity and uphold authors rights.

4. 4. Supporting cultural cooperation in the audiovisual sector

EU support should include networking and peer exchange for audiovisual professionals, including creators. This would align the sector with others already supported under the Creative Europe Culture strand. Cross-border collaboration, mobility and knowledge-sharing are crucial for nurturing talent, especially for new entrants in a rapidly changing industry.

5. 5. Promoting fairness and sustainability for audiovisual authors

Most European directors are freelancers with limited social protections, making them particularly vulnerable to economic instability from the pandemic to trade tensions affecting our sector. Even under stable conditions, working conditions and remuneration vary widely across Member States: transparency and collective representation remain vital for AV authors to build sustainable careers. The Culture Compass should back social conditionality in EU cultural funding and ensure consistent implementation of Title IV, Chapter 3 of the 2019 Copyright Directive.

Culture is Democracy, Democracy is Culture

Recent events highlight the fragility of democratic values. Culture, and particularly the audiovisual sector, play a key role in upholding free expression, fostering dialogue and building cohesion.

We urge the Commission to:

— Explicitly include the film and audiovisual sector in the Culture Compass framework.

— Reinforce protections for artistic freedom as well as media pluralism.

— Support ethical, transparent AI practices that promote human authorship.

— Expand EU funding and cooperation opportunities for audiovisual creators.

— Promote transparency, fairness, and sustainability for audiovisual authors.

A Culture Compass that reflects these realities will better position Europe to nurture its cultural vitality, diversity and democratic values.