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Launched at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea in October 2019, the Alliance of Asia-Pacific Audiovisual Writers and Directors (AAPA) provides a voice for the region’s creators. Its international network also creates a platform for them to share, connect and communicate, and advocates for stronger copyright protections in Asia-Pacific.

AAPA is an initiative of Writers & Directors Worldwide, the audiovisual, dramatic and literary creators’ council of CISAC, the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers. It joins the Pan-African Alliance of Screenwriters and Filmmakers (APASER) and the Latin American Audiovisual Directors Alliance (ADAL) as one of the council’s three regional alliances.

Asia-Pacific is a global powerhouse for audiovisual production and creators. Half of the world’s top 10 box office markets are located in the region as well as four of the top 10 countries in terms of feature film production. This thriving industry is dependent on the ability of screenwriters and directors to protect their rights and earn a fair livelihood from their work. With the help of regional alliances such as AAPA, these rights have been added to national copyright legislation in many countries such as Colombia, Chile and Brazil.

This work continues in Asia-Pacific and AAPA has two key areas of focus:

Lobby for new legislation and the enforcement of copyright to recognize screenwriters and directors as the authors of audiovisual works

Campaign for the adoption of an unwaivable right for audiovisual creator to be fairly remunerated for the use of their works

VOICE OF CREATORS

SAA

"Authors of audiovisual works should be fairly remunerated for the exploitation of their works. The remuneration rights are unwaivable."

Min Kyu-dong

Director, AAPA Spokesperson and Directors Guild of Korea President

“With AAPA as a partner, audiovisual creators now have a united and powerful voice worldwide.”

Yves Nilly

Screenwriter and W&DW President

“Creators rightfully deserve fair remuneration. Let’s work together to implement a proper system.”

Bong Joon-ho

Oscar-winning Korean Film Director

“Partnering with AAPA gives me confidence that I will be properly rewarded and remunerated for my hard work.”

Adam Elliot

Australian Animation Director (Oscar winner Best Animated Short Film ‘Harvie Krumpet’)

“It is a matter of fairness; we need legal mechanisms that allow filmmakers and screenwriters to be compensated.”

Jia Zhang-ke

Director and CISAC Vice-President

“All writers and directors the world over need to be rewarded for the success of their work.”

Phillip Noyce

Renowned Australian Film Director (dir. Dead Calm, Rabbit Proof Fence, The Quiet American)

“Screenwriters and directors are integral to the economic success of the region’s audiovisual sector.”

Gadi Oron

Director General of CISAC

REPRESENTING THE REGION’S CREATORS

Affiliates

The undersigned audiovisual creators’ organizations in Asia-Pacific region hereby support the establishment of an alliance to be known as the Alliance of Asia-Pacific Audiovisual Writers and Directors (AAPA).

SUPPORTING GLOBAL PARTNERS

ADAL

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APASER

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CISAC

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WDW

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Activities

28 Jan 2022

Strengthening audiovisual authors’ rights in spotlight at annual AAPA meeting
7 Oct 2021

Lights and action on authors' royalties
1 Oct 2021

Fair remuneration for directors and screenwriters: an Italian case study
18 Jun 2021

Spain’s audiovisual sector: fair remuneration and economic growth
8 Oct 2019

Alliance of Asia-Pacific Audiovisual Writers and Directors launches at Busan International Film Festival

Busan, South Korea, 8 October 2019: Audiovisual creators from around Asia-Pacific gathered today in South Korea at the Busan International Film Festival for the official launch of the Alliance of Asia-Pacific Audiovisual Writers and Directors (AAPA). The alliance’s mission is to become the voice for Asia-Pacific audiovisual creators. It will be a platform for audiovisual creators to share, connect and communicate, advocate for stronger copyright protections and further their interests in Asia-Pacific.
29 May 2019

In Tokyo, W&DW boosts livelihoods for Asia-Pacific authors, screenwriters and directors with MoU and Asia-Pacific alliance

Asia-Pacific is ripe for growth for creators and cultural industries, particularly screenwriters and directors. While Australia collects a significant amount from TV and radio for the audiovisual artistic repertoire, according to CISAC’s 2018 Global Collections Report, the rest of the region shows great additional potential if laws are improved and new societies created.