EFA support ARP petition

The Board of the European Film Academy and EFA President Wim Wenders have declared their support of the French Association of Film Directors and Producers (ARP) petition.

ARP’s petition aims to preserve Europe’s cultural exception in the EU/US trade and investment negotiations.

In a statement, EFA commented: “To not respect the cultural exception in the negotiations starting this June would threaten independent cinema and the author’s freedom of expression. It would also result in European films vanishing from cinema screens in Europe and around the world and in irreparable damage to European culture.

“A Europe which neglects the importance of its culture would reduce the European Union to a purely administrative and economic body, thus putting an end to the European dream with all its negative consequences.”

It continued: “The board of the European Film Academy and the president also remind European and national politicians in charge of the negotiations that the audio-visual industry is one of the most promising job generating sectors in Europe and that its critical importance for the future of Europe should not be underestimated.”

The full petition can be viewed here.