The Belarusian Independent Film Academy (BIFA) signed the document on the foundation of the Federation of Film Academies Europe (FACE) in Luxembourg. BIFA officially represents Belarus in the Federation, and is one of the 21st founding members of the new pan-European organization registered in Luxembourg. Other founding organizations include the European Film Academy, the Danish Film Academy, the Luxembourg Film Academy, the Austrian Film Academy, the Ukrainian Film Academy, and others. After signing the document, more countries will apply to FACE with a request for accession.
The goal of the Federation of Film Academies Europe (FACE) is to formalize relations between film academies, unite to represent common interests and cooperation, and increase the visibility of European cinema.
“As a network of film academies, we have grown over the past 18 years. More and more, and especially since the COVID pandemic, we have witnessed how much we have in common and how beneficial it is for all of us to share experiences and join forces, says Matthijs Wouter Knol, board member of the new federation and CEO and Director of the European Film Academy. “It is exciting to now embark on this new chapter by establishing a Federation. Revitalising collaboration in Europe is essential in times in which the relevance of cultural policy and support for European cinema are openly questioned.”
Yann Tonnar, President of the Luxembourg Film Academy and chair of the Federation board, states: “The Federation is a circle of cultural solidarity, stretching across the continent, uniting our diverse and unique voices in cinema, to be heard and seen wherever needed. Luxembourg is honored to be the home base of this inspiring new Federation.”
Under the umbrella of the new Federation, the European film academies are joining forces to represent their shared interests together and where possible synergise the range of work they do for the various parts of the industry. This will include lobbying with European and national policy makers, in order to ensure that European cinema continues to be regarded both as an important cultural asset and as a substantial economic factor. The future of European film needs to be jointly defended and supported by film academies all over the continent. This includes film education, membership engagement and film heritage projects, all in which sustainability, diversity and inclusion are key elements. The Federation wishes the work of film academies to be considered a quintessential part of any European film policy development. With all members of the European film academies the new Federation brings together around 20,000 people.
The new structure will allow the academies joint and more concerted actions on the European and international stage.
FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION
Austria: Akademie des Österreichischen Films (Austrian Film Academy)
Belarus: Беларуская незалежная кiнаакадэмiя (Belarusian Independent Film Academy)
Belgium: Académie André Delvaux (André Delvaux Academy)
Catalonia: Acadèmia del Cinema Català (Catalan Film Academy)
Czech Republic: Česká filmová a televizní akademie (Czech Film and Television Academy)
Denmark: Danmarks Film Akademi (Danish Film Academy)
European Film Academy
Germany: Deutsche Filmakademie (German Film Academy)
Greece: Ελληνική Ακαδημία Κινηματογράφου (Hellenic Film Academy)
Iceland: Íslenska kvikmynda- og sjónvarpsakademían (Icelandic Film and Television Academy)
Israel: האקדמיה הישראלית לקולנוע וטלוויזיה (Israel Academy of Film and Television)
Italy: Accademia del Cinema Italiano (Italian Academy of Cinema)
Luxembourg: d'Filmakademie (Luxembourg Film Academy)
Netherlands: DAFF (Dutch Academy for Film)
Norway: Norsk Filmforbund (Norwegian Film Academy)
Poland: Polska Akademia Filmowa (Polish Film Academy)
Portugal: Academia Portuguesa de Cinema (Portuguese Academy of Cinema)
Slovakia: Slovenská filmová a televízna akadémia (Slovak Film and Television Academy)
Spain: Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España (Spanish Academy of Cinematic Arts and Sciences)
Switzerland: Schweizer Filmakademie / Académie du Cinéma Suisse / Accademia del Cinema Svizzero (Swiss Film Academy)
Ukraine: Українська Кіноакадемія (Ukrainian Film Academy)
