What is FERA?

FERA is the European Federation for national associations of television and cinema directors. It was established in Venice in 1980 and now represents 32 associations as full members (and associated members) in 28 European countries.

FERA’s missions are primarily focused on :

- fostering exchanges and common actions within an active network of national associations of directors ;
- relaying onto the European political scene the concerns, expectations and proposals of directors, and on a wider scale those of creators and the field of cinema and culture in general, in order to promote a European environment fostering creation and circulation of European works.

I. A NETWORK OF DIRECTORS’ ASSOCIATIONS

With members in 23 of the 27 countries of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Netherlands, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK) FERA represents the main audiovisual markets including in new Member States who entered EU in 2004 and 2007. FERA’s network also includes countries wishing to join the EU (Croatia) and countries located on Europe’s borders (Switzerland, Norway) and further East (Azerbaijan and Russia).

1. An active network

This unique network in Europe is very much lively and extremely motivated and reactive.

Members meet at least once a year for the General Assembly which, whenever possible, takes place each time in a different country. It is usually organised in combination with a significant event in order to ensure a wide media coverage. Whenever possible, regional meetings are also organised in the framework of Festivals or established events in the audiovisual field.

Besides these meetings, members keep in touch via electronic information exchanges and a web site where information on FERA activities and position papers are stored and regularly updated.

The network is organised by the CEO who maintains the contacts with members and meet them regularly. Finally, the Executive Committee, the central directing entity of the association who implement the strategy of FERA with the CEO meets whenever necessary and at least 4 times a year.

2. The representative power of directors

The fact that it represents so many members gives the FERA an extremely strong and legitimate position to present and defend the expectations and proposals of the cinema and culture world onto the European scene.

Furthermore, the charisma and fame of European directors strengthen the visibility and popularity of the actions and proposals of FERA towards media, professionals and politics at the European and international levels.

II. A STRENGTH OF PROPOSAL RECOGNISED AT THE EUROPEAN LEVEL

Through its various accomplishments and its natural representativeness, FERA enjoys strength of proposal recognised by European and International institutions. Whether at the Commission, the Council or the European Parliament, FERA can have direct access to political officials whenever it wishes to voice its opinions. Furthermore, its points of view are frequently solicited before a European position is published.

FERA’s recognition extends beyond the European institutions (Council of Europe, UNESCO, WIPO and WTO) even though contacts with these institutions remain a priority.

In 2006, FERA has made several written contributions including some analysis and proposals on the following subjects :

- Action program and priorities for 2006 in a press release issued at the Cannes Film Festival (May 2006),
- Contribution to the public consultation on private copying levies (July 2006) and campaign of protest of European directors against the draft recommendation on private copying (October-December 2006),
- Position on the review of the Television without Frontiers directive to the attention of the European Parliament (July 2006),
- Contribution to the public consultation on Content Online, (October 2006),
- Open Letter to the Contact Committee for the Media programme : analysis of the programme from the point of view of the directors’ needs (October 2006),
Contribution to a public consultation on Culture and Europe (October 2006).

What is FERA?
Mission Statement
President
Executive Committee
CEO
Statutes
History