Co-production Convention

European Convention (1992)

European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production (Original, 1992)

Council of Europe · 1992 · ETS No. 147

Signatories

Adopted

1992

The European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production was adopted by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 2 October 1992 and entered into force on 1 April 1994. It was the first multilateral treaty providing a common legal framework for official co-productions between European states, granting qualifying co-produced films the status of national films in each participating territory and thereby unlocking access to national support, tax incentives and quota systems in each country. For thirty years it has been the backbone of European multilateral co-production and it remains in force today between states that have not yet ratified its 2017 successor.

Key rules

Under the 1992 Convention, a qualifying co-production must involve producers from at least three states parties (a three-country minimum), with each co-producer's financial contribution falling between 10% and 70% of the total budget for multilateral productions. Creative, technical and artistic contributions are expected broadly in proportion to each co-producer's financial share. Bilateral co-productions are not covered by the Convention itself and must instead rely on bilateral treaties between the two states concerned. The Convention is open only to Council of Europe member states and to European non-member states invited to accede.

Signatories

The 1992 Convention has been ratified by the large majority of Council of Europe member states and remains the legal basis for co-productions between any two parties where at least one has not yet ratified the 2017 revised Convention. It continues to be cited alongside, or as a fallback to, bilateral co-production treaties and to CETS No. 220. Current ratification status is maintained by the Council of Europe Treaty Office.

Signatory Countries

States that have ratified this convention. Click any country to open its national co-production profile.

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