International Academy Initiative Fosters German/U.S. Cooperation

CANNES/NEW YORK/DÜSSELDORF: The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is working with the media authorities of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia to foster relations between leading German and American television professionals.

The initiative, announced at MIPTV, will also showcase the TV and film activities in the German state. It is under the patronage of Andreas Krautscheid, the minister for federal, European and media affairs; and Michael Schmid-Ospach, the CEO of Filmstiftung NRW, and is led by Professor Norbert Schneider, the director of the media authority of North Rhine-Westphalia (LfM).

“The world’s most preeminent media and entertainment companies make it a point to convene each year in New York for the International Academy’s Emmy events and we are looking forward to counting the NRW Annual Rendez-Vous amongst them,” said Bruce L Paisner, the president and CEO of the Academy.

Minister Krautscheid added: “This strategic partnership between our media authorities and the Academy marks our long-term commitment to further developing business for our vibrant television and film industries. Together with LfM, and Germany’s largest regional Film Foundation, Filmstiftung NRW, we look forward to promoting quality content from Germany while attracting foreign production into the region.”