Over 100 film and TV bodies worldwide have united to sign an open letter urging governments to safeguard the systems that support independent film and audiovisual creation. The letter, which comes on the eve of the Cannes Film Festival, addresses concerns over the growing dominance of global entertainment conglomerates and the rise of AI in production, alongside Trump’s proposed tariffs.
While the letter does not directly name Trump, it challenges the broader political and corporate forces threatening the diversity of cultural expression. It highlights the importance of public funding, cultural policy, and regulation in fostering independent production.
Among the signatories are major industry bodies such as Italy’s Audiovisual Producers Association, Screen Producers Australia, the European Audiovisual Production Association (CEPI), the Canadian Media Producers Association, and the European Film Academy. These organizations have joined forces to defend the right of creators to tell their own stories rooted in their cultures, languages, and identities. They argue that if the tariff plan succeeds, it will be more difficult for diverse voices to be heard, and for local cultures to thrive.
Trump’s proposal to levy tariffs on foreign films and TV shows, including U.S. productions filmed abroad, has raised fears internationally, especially in Europe. This move follows his previous efforts to challenge the European Union’s Audiovisual Media Services Directive, local content quotas, and requirements for streaming platforms to invest in local markets.
The letter also calls on governments to uphold the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and to oppose any legal, political, or economic initiatives that threaten artistic freedoms. In response to the increasing pressure, the UK entertainment union Equity has expressed readiness for industrial action should talks with producers and global streamers fail.