Chilean Audiovisual Creators Launch "Day of Action" on Copyright

On the 14th October, a group of audiovisual creators launched a day of action to highlight the inequalities that currently exist in Chilean copyright law for this repertoire. Under the banner of “¡ACCIÓN!” (Action!), the day began with a meeting of international directors and screenwriters at the Cineteca Nacional in Santiago de Chile to promote recognition of the copyright of local filmmakers who unlike musicians and actors, currently receive no benefit from the use of their works.

Addressing an audience of more than 150 people associated with national audiovisual production, the participants included the well-known Chilean filmmakers Ricardo Larraín (La Frontera), Andrés Wood (Historias de Fútbol, Machuca, Violeta se fue a los cielos), Jorge López (El último grumete, Patagonia de los sueños) and the documentary maker Cristian Leighton (El corredor, Kawase-San and the series Los Patiperros).

Various distinguished international artists and senior industry representatives also took part including Eliseo Subiela (director of Hombre mirando al sudeste), Marcelo Piñeyro (filmmaker and Vice President of CISAC – the International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies), Carlos Galettini (President of DAC, Argentine Film Directors), Horacio Maldonado (Vice President of ADAL, the Association of Latin American Directors), and José Luis Acosta (President of the General Society of Spanish Authors).
The meeting concluded with a pledge for solidarity and cooperation in the fight to achieve this objective.

Delegation to the President

The other event during this day of action was held at La Moneda presidential office where the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, along with the Minister of Culture, Claudia Barattini, received a delegation of filmmakers led by CISAC vice president, Argentinean director Marcelo Piñeyro. During the audience, the President listened to the demands of the filmmakers regarding extending the rights already given to audiovisual performers and stated her support for the legislative change requested. “This project will be sent to congress by the end of the year,” said Ms. Bachelet.

The delegation was very satisfied with the meeting and remains expectant that this vital change will soon be made. “The President was very knowledgeable about our demand and told us that although there could be a long way to go, the will was there. We're very happy,” said Ricardo Larraín.

Notes For Journalists

Delegation Participants

The full list of participants in the presidential delegation included Ricardo Larraín; Cristián Leighton; Andrés Wood; Jorge Sotomayor; Marcelo Piñeyro, Vice President of the International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies; José Luis Acosta, President of the General Society of Spanish Authors; Horacio Maldonado, Vice President of ADAL (the Association of Latin American Directors); Carlos Galettini, President of Argentine Film Directors; Eliseo Subiela, Argentine director; Sergio Vainman, screenwriter, President of the Argentine Television Council; Ricardo Talesnick, Argentine film, TV and theater director, Vice President of Argentores; Gustavo Meza, President of ATN; Daniela Castagno, screenwriter; Gerardo Cáceres, screenwriter; Santiago Schuster, Regional Director of CISAC for Latin America; César Cuadra, Manager of ATN; Nazarena Smith, International Director of DAC; Nicole Mengin, and Carlos Bahamondez, CISAC.

Requirements of the Bill

The issue discussed at the meeting and with the President is to incorporate a single article into Law 20,243 so that payments of copyright remunerations also apply to directors and screenwriters of audiovisual works. At present, these people receive no monetary recognition while musicians and actors do. The amendment needed is as follows:

Single Article. The right to remuneration stated in article 3 of Law 20,243 will be applicable to directors and screenwriters of audiovisual works on equal terms, which must be paid by those responsible for their use in accordance with the general rates established by the corresponding collective management organization.