Canada and Europe are drawing closer in politics, culture, and now screen production. In a notable development for the global TV and video business, CEPI welcomes CMPA and AQPM as its first international observer members, signaling a new phase of cooperation between Canadian and European independent producers.
The move matters far beyond industry symbolism. It brings together influential production groups on both sides of the Atlantic at a time when the audiovisual sector is grappling with streaming regulation, intellectual property ownership, co-production frameworks, domestic content rules, and the growing impact of generative AI. For producers, broadcasters, and policymakers, this alliance could help shape how local storytelling survives and thrives in a rapidly globalizing media market.
Why CEPI welcomes CMPA and AQPM now
That CEPI welcomes CMPA and AQPM in 2026 is a reflection of bigger geopolitical and market shifts. The European Audiovisual Production Association represents thousands of independent production companies across 17 countries through national and European associations. By bringing in the Canadian Media Producers Association and the Association Québécoise de la Production Médiatique as observer members, CEPI is effectively acknowledging that the industry’s biggest challenges no longer stop at regional borders.
Canada and Europe have already been moving closer in media and public policy. Recent developments, including stronger cultural cooperation and broader international engagement in broadcasting, have created fertile ground for a deeper partnership among producer bodies. This latest step formalizes that momentum in the TV and video space.
What each organization represents
- CEPI: A leading voice for Europe’s independent audiovisual producers.
- CMPA: A major advocacy body for Canada’s independent producers working across television, film, and digital media.
- AQPM: A key Québec-based association representing French-language and regional production interests.
Together, these organizations represent a broad ecosystem of creators and businesses focused on sustaining independent production and culturally specific storytelling.
Shared priorities behind the CEPI-CMPA-AQPM partnership
The reason CEPI welcomes CMPA and AQPM is not merely ceremonial. The groups are aligning around concrete policy and business issues that directly affect producers’ long-term viability.
1. Regulation of streaming services
Global streaming platforms have transformed audience habits and production financing, but they have also raised pressing questions about fairness and accountability. Producer associations in Canada and Europe are increasingly focused on ensuring streamers contribute to domestic ecosystems, invest in local content, and operate under updated rules suited to the digital era.
2. Domestic production requirements
Local content quotas and national production obligations remain central to cultural policy. Independent producers argue these measures are essential for preserving distinct voices, languages, and creative industries in an environment dominated by global platforms.
3. IP ownership and rights
Who owns the underlying intellectual property is one of the biggest battles in modern screen production. Independent producers in both Europe and Canada want fair opportunities to retain rights, build catalogs, and share in the long-term value of the stories they create.
4. International co-productions
Cross-border collaborations have become increasingly important for financing ambitious projects and reaching wider audiences. The fact that CEPI welcomes CMPA and AQPM could strengthen co-production dialogue and make it easier for producers to align on shared standards, incentives, and opportunities.
5. Generative AI and cultural sovereignty
Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a defining issue for the entertainment industry. Producer groups are concerned not only with legal and economic implications, but also with protecting human creativity, diversity of cultural expression, and national cultural sovereignty. Those concerns were echoed strongly by AQPM leadership and are likely to become a major focus of future collaboration.
Why this matters for independent producers
When CEPI welcomes CMPA and AQPM, independent producers gain a stronger collective voice. The media landscape is increasingly shaped by multinational tech and entertainment giants, leaving local production companies under pressure to compete for financing, retain rights, and maintain creative control.
A coordinated Canada-Europe approach offers several potential benefits:
- Stronger advocacy with governments and regulators
- More unified positions on digital-era policy reform
- Greater protection for local storytelling and production capacity
- Expanded opportunities for co-productions and international partnerships
- Broader exchange of best practices across markets
For viewers, the implications are just as significant. A healthier independent sector usually means more original programming, more culturally rooted stories, and a wider range of voices on screen.
How the alliance fits into a broader industry trend
The announcement that CEPI welcomes CMPA and AQPM follows a wider movement among producer organizations worldwide. At the Toronto International Film Festival, the Canadian and European groups, alongside other associations including Australian representatives, backed a joint call for governments to protect domestic production and local storytelling.
That collective message underscores a clear industry concern: without updated regulation and stronger policy support, independent producers could lose ground in a marketplace increasingly controlled by global distribution and commissioning power. This is especially relevant in TV and video, where streaming services can influence not just what gets made, but who owns it and how it travels.
What to watch next
In the coming months, observers will likely be watching for progress in several areas:
- Joint advocacy around streamer obligations
- New Canada-Europe co-production discussions
- Policy recommendations on IP retention
- Public positions on AI governance in screen media
- Further expansion of international observer participation within CEPI
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Conclusion: a strategic step for the future of TV and video
The fact that CEPI welcomes CMPA and AQPM is more than an administrative update. It is a strategic signal that independent producers in Canada and Europe see their futures as increasingly interconnected. From streaming rules and IP rights to co-productions and AI, the challenges are shared, and so are the stakes.
As the global screen business continues to evolve, this partnership could become a meaningful model for international cooperation in the TV and video industry. For anyone invested in independent production, cultural policy, and the future of local storytelling, CEPI welcomes CMPA and AQPM is a development worth watching closely.
