2024 EAVE Impact Think Tank Report Highlights Systemic Racism and Discrimination in Co-Productions

The 2024 EAVE Impact Think Tank report has exposed the deep-rooted issues of “systemic racism and other forms of discrimination and prejudice” in the world of co-productions. This groundbreaking report, unveiled at Cannes on May 18, has shed light on the challenges faced by producers from countries with limited state financing options.

According to the findings of the report, co-production treaties primarily cater to a European perspective and are outdated, dating back to 30 or 40 years. This has led to producers from the global south feeling pressured to conform to a more Eurocentric approach in their projects. In some cases, producers have even had to relinquish creative control to their European counterparts.

Ethiopian-Canadian filmmaker Tamara Dawit, a key figure in shaping the Think Tank, highlighted the detrimental impact of these outdated treaties on filmmakers worldwide. Dawit emphasized the need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to co-productions, urging for a revision of existing treaties.

The Think Tank’s recommendations have called for a radical overhaul of co-production treaties to address the disparities and power imbalances in the industry. Voices from different corners of the globe, including Ada Solomon, Karen Harnisch, and Mohamed Ouma, are set to discuss these pressing issues at a panel moderated by Dawit at Cannes.

As the film industry continues to grapple with issues of representation and inclusion, the revelations from the EAVE Impact Think Tank report serve as a wake-up call for the need to dismantle systemic barriers and create a more equitable landscape for all filmmakers.