Twenty-four European culture ministers have come together to affirm that cinema should remain under the guardianship of culture ministries across the continent, a decisive moment for the audiovisual industry.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
This landmark decision was celebrated on Thursday by the Directors Guild of Cyprus, which, along with producers and directors from Cyprus and Greece, announced the outcome after a two-year campaign. This initiative was ignited by the Declaration of Filmmakers at Cannes 2023.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
Cypriot Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou, and Greek Minister of Culture, Dr Lina Mendoni, co-signed the European Filmmakers Manifesto, underscoring the cultural exception as a foundational element of European cultural policy.
The manifesto positions European audiovisual work as a cultural asset rather than a mere commercial product. It aims to protect the rights of creators, filmmakers, and storytellers, ensuring European cultural policy remains intact amidst technological and commercial challenges.
“This is a defining moment for European cinema,” stated Athena Xenidou, the president of the Directors Guild of Cyprus and a member of the manifesto’s core team. “For two years, we have worked tirelessly at major film festivals—Venice, Berlinale, San Sebastian—and at the European Parliament level to ensure our voice is heard. Cinema is not technology; it is culture. It is a common memory, a shared story. It is art and European culture.”
The success of the campaign was bolstered by significant support from the Cyprus Cinema Office, led by Dr Elena Christodoulidou. Key figures such as Athens Film Office head Stathi Kalogeropoulos, Cyprus Film Commissioner Lefteris Eleftheriou, Greek Film Centre head Athena Kartalou, and Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Centre CEO Leonidas Christopoulos also played crucial roles.
On 16 May 2025, a comprehensive statement was published in Le Figaro, marking the culmination of the campaign. A symbolic moment occurred when French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, along with Xenidou, Kostas Gavras, Claude Lelouche, Radu Mihaileanu, Julie Bertuccelli, Pierre Jolivet, Francesco Ranieri, and Sofia Norlin, ascended the steps at Cannes in a show of solidarity. Their presence highlighted the importance of cultural policy in shaping the future of European audiovisual production.
“We sent a clear message,” Xenidou declared. “The cultural exception is not negotiable. It is the foundational framework within which European cinema thrives, and we will remain committed to it. We will stay focused on building a Europe of Culture.”
The Directors Guild of Cyprus is dedicated to representing film and audiovisual directors within Cyprus while fostering collaboration with filmmakers across Europe, promoting creative freedom, cultural diversity, and the protection of creators’ rights.
