French broadcasters, producers form LaFA industry body
November 13, 2024
The French broadcasting groups France Télévisions, M6 and TF1, alongside the main rights management associations (Adami, SACD, SACEM and SCAM) and producers’ associations (AnimFrance, SPI and USPA) have met at TF1 corporate headquarters to formally establish a new trade body known as LaFA – short for ‘La Filière Audiovisuelle’, or ‘the audiovisual industry’.
At a time of much change in the audiovisual sector, LaFA’s ambitions are to secure a sound business model for the industry; to keep pace with the transformation of the sector; to ensure diversity and innovation in our creative output; and to promote French cultural exceptionalism. LaFa said its objective is “to generate material that will improve understanding of our industry, and of the economic and cultural challenges we face, for all stakeholders: regulators, legislators, the government, the European Commission, and all who have an interest in the development of the French audiovisual industry”.
The first chapter will be written in the spring of 2025, when LaFA will publish its first report (on the economic importance of the French audiovisual industry) and its initial recommendations.
LaFA has ten founding members (the organisations listed above), with Rodolphe Belmer serving as Chair for a two-year term. He will be supported by three Vice-Chairs:
– one representing broadcasters: Delphine Ernotte Cunci, Chairman & CEO of France Télévisions
– one representing producers: Nora Melhli, Chair of the Audiovisual section of SPI
– one representing writers and artists: Pascal Rogard, CEO of SACD
New members can apply to join LaFA; applications will be considered at a future Board meeting, and any applicant must sign up to the LaFA platform and share the organisation’s values.
Canal+ has thus far not asked to be part of the body.