Mexico City will be the stage for one of the most significant events for audiovisual authors worldwide, as from November 5 to 7, 2024, it will become the epicenter of the annual congresses of the Federation of Latin American Audiovisual Authors' Societies (FESAAL) and the International Confederation of Audiovisual Authors (AVACI).
These congresses will be hosted by Mexico's most representative societies: the Mexican Society of Audiovisual Directors (SOMEDIRE) and the General Society of Writers of Mexico (SOGEM), which will bring together important global audiovisual figures to discuss and strengthen the future of authors' rights in the sector.
A global-scale event for the audiovisual industry
The celebration of these congresses in Mexico City is seen as a key moment for consolidating the defense of audiovisual authors' rights, both in Latin America and globally. According to José Antonio Medina, Secretary of SOMEDIRE, in an interview with AV Creators News, this event will be crucial to "strengthen ties between sister societies fighting for the recognition of the authors' rights of all their members." He also highlighted that collaboration between societies will help "consolidate those that are just beginning their path to legal recognition in their countries."
The meeting coincides with a new phase for AVACI, which has been working on a statutory reform aimed at putting screenwriters and directors at the forefront of decision-making. Manuel Rodríguez Ajenjo, President of SOGEM's Board of Directors, told AV Creators News that this meeting "will not only strengthen ties between us but also enhance the well-earned prestige of our society," emphasizing the importance of unity among Latin American societies.
AVACI and FESAAL: Clear objectives for the region and the world
The International Confederation of Audiovisual Authors (AVACI) has played a crucial role in promoting audiovisual creators' rights in Latin America and other regions of the world. During the current transitional period, its interim president, Miguel Ángel Diani, a film screenwriter and president of ARGENTORES (one of the oldest playwrights and screenwriters' societies in Latin America, nearing its 115th anniversary), has focused his efforts on formally registering the confederation and implementing statutes that will allow FESAAL's work to continue.
Diani emphasized the importance of having a legal framework that enables the creation of Audiovisual Authors' Rights Management Societies in countries where they do not yet exist. This effort, he added, will "restore the work of authors for authors, without intermediaries."
AVACI's focus is not limited to Latin America. In recent years, it has driven legislative changes in various countries and promoted the creation of management societies in emerging regions. According to Horacio Maldonado, AVACI's Secretary General, "the strengthening of Africa, the aid provided to South Korea, and the initiatives in India reflect the confederation's growth." He also emphasized that new societies in Latin America are continuing to join the development plans, creating great optimism for the future.
Mexico: A story of struggle that inspires other societies
Founded in 1963, SOMEDIRE is one of the oldest societies in Latin America, with a long history of defending audiovisual authors' rights. José Antonio Medina stressed the importance of sharing SOMEDIRE's experience with other emerging societies seeking legal recognition. "We have walked a path that has not been easy, but we have never ceased in our efforts," said Medina. "This legacy of struggle and determination," he added, "can serve as inspiration for those societies that are just beginning their journey."
Mexico's role as the host of these assemblies also highlights the country's spirit of hospitality, which, in Medina's words, is "multicultural and multi-ethnic," making it an ideal place for an event of such magnitude. He also added that he sees this meeting as an "extraordinary opportunity for collaboration and connection with all participating societies."
Among the topics to be addressed during the congresses is the state of the audiovisual market in Mexico. According to Manuel Rodríguez Ajenjo, the country faces two major challenges: "the tendency of production companies to pay a single fee for completed works" and "the lack of agreements with streaming platforms." These problems highlight the need to continue working on creating laws and agreements that protect authors' rights in the face of these new distribution methods.
Rodríguez Ajenjo also emphasized that, for SOGEM, authors' rights are part of human rights and, therefore, universal. For this reason, the society is ready to "join forces to fight for fairness and recognition of authors' rights in every country worldwide."
The collaboration between FESAAL and AVACI, he added, "is a clear example of how cooperation between societies can yield tangible benefits for authors."
The FESAAL and AVACI congresses in Mexico City will mark a milestone in the fight for audiovisual authors' rights. With the participation of societies from around the world, the event will not only strengthen ties between organizations but also advance the creation of legal frameworks that protect creators in light of the new realities of the audiovisual market.
For Mexico, in particular, this event offers a platform to solidify its role as a leader in defending audiovisual authors' rights, both regionally and internationally. As Manuel Rodríguez Ajenjo expressed, "it is time to unite efforts and establish an equitable system that benefits everyone."
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