Council of Europe Convention on the Co-Production of Audiovisual Works in the Form of Series – act authorising ratification signed!

Film co-production has benefited from such arrangements for over three decades. The European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production of 1992 and, subsequently, the Council of Europe Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production (revised) of 2017 laid important foundations for cooperation between producers from different countries. These common rules make it easier to organise international projects and access national support mechanisms.
The new Convention sets out rules tailored to fiction, documentary and animated series intended for television or streaming platforms. A series that obtains official co-production status will be eligible for financial support available to national works in countries that are parties to the Convention and participate in the co-production, subject to the conditions and limits laid down in national law. The practical significance of these arrangements will therefore depend on whether, and to what extent, the laws of individual countries provide financial support for series.
We welcome the introduction of a dedicated legal framework for international series co-production. The importance of series to the audiovisual industry, creators and audiences has long justified such a step. For Polish producers, this offers the prospect of new partnerships and greater opportunities to undertake projects with international reach.
The ratification process must still be completed and the Convention must enter into force in respect of Poland before the new rules can apply.