As Market Grows, German and Scandi Producers Look to French Investment Scheme to Protect Independence
variety.comBen Croll Fueled in no small part by international streamers looking to entrench their market share, production days skyrocketed across the European continent in 2021.
But if the last year marked a gold rush for both service providers and content hungry viewers, independent producers have been feeling the squeeze.“It’s not a golden age when it comes to IP retention,” said Katharina Hiersemenzel, senior VP public policy of German mini-major Constantin Film. “It’s been more of a step backwards, and that’s very dangerous for us, because [we don’t want to] become mere service producers in the long term, unable to invest in new talents and projects.”Speaking at an independent producers panel the Berlinale Series Market, Hiersemenzel was outspoken about the need for need for new regulations. “Market interventions are needed when there is a market failure,” she continued. “And there is a certainly a market failure when it comes to negotiating power.” And so, in Germany, local producers have been working with the new government and new culture ministry on legislation that would closely resemble the mandates passed by the French government in June of last year.
Indeed, the French investment obligations – which require international streamers to invest between 20%-25% of their French revenues in local content, and to partner with independent producers to do so – have become beacons across the European industry, inspiring similar measures in Germany and Scandinavia.“Everyone is now looking at France as our key and main example,” said Rikke Ennis, CEO of Denmark’s REinvent Studios.
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