In November 1999, during the Camerimage Film Festival celebrated in Torún (Poland), cinematographers from 22 National Associations publicly claimed through the "Torún Declaration", the recognition of their status as co-authors of cinematographic and audiovisual works. This has been another step in the international process of consciousness in relation to the creative work of cinematographers.

At the 1st International Congress on Authorship Rights of Cinematographers in Huelva, November 2004, representatives of 28 National Societies have reached the following conclusion:

Cinematographic and audiovisual works are recognized worldwide as work of artistic creation and therefore are protected by intellectual property laws according to the applicable international legislation.

The cinematographic and audiovisual work is the result of the contribution of several creators.

The artistic contribution of the cinematographer in the creation of moving pictures is always essential for the result of the cinematographic and/or audiovisual work.

The cinematographer is always author of cinematography and in every case co-author of the cinematographic and audiovisual works.

The cinematographers gathered in the 1st International Congress on Authorship Rights of Cinematographers in Huelva, claim the specific recognition of our status as full co-authors of cinematographic and audiovisual works, and we require from the public authorities to provide for all necessary means to guarantee our protection and effective participation in any and all benefits generated by these works.

All the associations represented in this Congress agree to take all necessary actions, both national and internationally, through IMAGO ( European Federation of Cinematographers), in order to obtain the universal recognition of cinematographers as co-authors of cinematographic and audiovisual works.

Cinema is moving pictures. Without pictures there is no cinema.

Huelva, 14th November, 2004

The delegates of the European national associations at the Huelva Congress (Casa Colón)