San Sebastian European Conference Sketches Roadmap, Flashpoints

Some of Spain’s top industry players, alongside international figures, gathered at the San Sebastian  on Sunday to chart a roadmap for Europe’s audiovisual future at a morning conference entitled Partnerships and Investments for the Consolidation of the European Audiovisual Ecosystem. 

Oscar López, Spain’s Minister for Digital and Public Service Transformation, closed the event with an optimistic outlook on Spain’s booming industry, despite the growing challenges it faces. He emphasized that the sector is experiencing one of its best moments, with employment growing by 93% over the last three years and Spain now a leader in Europe in the production of original content.

Success, however, has it challenges. Some takeaways from the morning’s two sessions:

Public-Private Partnerships: A Virtuous Circle

Concepción Cascajosa Virino, acting president of RTVE, spoke to the importance of a “virtuous circle” between public and private initiatives in driving the industry forward. She cited the €7.2 billion ($ 8.0 billion) 2023 investment from Europe’s public broadcasters into original content, stating, “We are the great market dynamo, promoting and allowing greater diversity both in the type of content we offer, with the type of operators we can work with, and the alliances we develop,” she said. This investment has already resulted in 115 projects in 2023, including nine series and 38 documentaries, working with 153 different production companies.

The Need for Regulatory Symmetry

Jaime Gutiérrez-Colomer, general manager of management and transformation at Atresmedia, stressed asymmetry – that while traditional broadcasters face stringent regulations, newer platforms such as YouTube have enjoyed a more relaxed environment. “YouTube, the biggest sharing platform of content, has been competing in the advertising market for over 20 years, and we would like to accelerate this type of comparison to cut that regulatory asymmetry.,” he said, urging for a level playing field.

His critique was aimed at the discrepancies that have emerged, as platforms like YouTube have, in his view, been able to avoid some of the obligations that broadcasters are held to. By addressing these regulatory gaps, he believes the industry can foster a more equitable environment that promotes sustainability and fair competition.

Securing Talent Amidst a Boom

While the current boom in Spain’s audiovisual sector is exciting, it comes with its challenges. Sandra Tapia of Arcadia Motion Pictures cautioned that the rapid growth must be controlled, “It’s a good time, but also a dangerous one,” she warned, referring to the escalating costs and competition for skilled crews and actors. Tapia pointed out  the need for strategic decisions to maintain this growth sustainably.

Alfonso Blanco, CEO of Portocabo, agreed, calling it a “Golden Age” for television production in Spain but warning that the race to secure resources could weaken the sector if not managed carefully. 

Cross-Border Collaboration: Imagine Beyond Your Borders

Cross-border collaboration remains essential for the European audiovisual sector to thrive. Senior Producer at France’s Noodles Production, Jérôme Vidal urged producers to “imagine beyond your borders,” stressing the importance of international co-productions in competing on a global scale. His consistent co-production work with Spanish partners has led to successful films like “Mondays in the Sun,” demonstrating the benefits of cross-cultural exchange date back decades.

Arne Helsingen, secretary-general of Denmark’s Nordvision, stressed the importance of building trust with long-term partners, especially in neighboring countries, citing the success of the Nordic 12 as a model. It ensures that 12 high-quality Nordic TV dramas are available annually across public broadcasters, with a 12-month window for both linear and digital services. “You have to start with the people you have connections with,” he said, pointing out that regional collaborations often provide the foundation for larger, more ambitious projects.

Trust, IP, and Sustainability

The issue of intellectual property (IP) rights was a key concern for many in attendance. Alfonso Blanco campaigned for more flexibility in IP agreements, arguing that this would enable more international collaborations. He pointed out that holding onto IP rights heavily restricts producers’ ability to collaborate effectively with partners across borders, a practice that needs to change for the industry to grow.

Alexandra Lebret, managing director of the European Producers Club, honed in on a simple truth: “Predictability is what financiers are looking for,” she said, highlighting the need for a stable financial model to ensure sustainable long-term growth.