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On March 26 during the Series Mania Forum, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset will chair a ceremony to open for signature the new Council of Europe Convention on the Co-production of Audiovisual Works in the form of Series. The event, scheduled for 11:30 am at the Théâtre Marie Curie in the Lille Grand Palais, introduces the first international legal framework specifically dedicated to the independent co-production of series for television and streaming platforms.

This convention represents a major milestone for the international audiovisual sector by strengthening cultural cooperation, supporting independent producers, and enhancing transparency in a rapidly changing market. In addition to chairing the ceremony, Secretary General Berset will deliver an opening speech at the Lille Dialogues, an international summit within the forum where political leaders and industry executives discuss major strategic challenges.

“Series are one of the defining cultural forms of our time, reaching audiences across borders and bringing different perspectives into our homes,” says Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset. “With this convention, we are opening a new international framework to support independent producers and strengthen cooperation. I encourage all 46 Council of Europe Member States – and countries beyond – to join us in making culture a force for cooperation and democracy.”

Laurence Herszberg, Founder and General Director of Series Mania, highlighted the importance of hosting the event: "We are honoured to host this historic signing at Series Mania as part of the Lille Dialogues, our international summit bringing together political decision makers and leading industry figures to shape the future of Europe’s audiovisual sector. This Convention marks a major step forward for the industry. It will help bring more diverse series to audiences across Europe and beyond, a mission that has always been at the heart of Series Mania.”