World Intellectual Property Day – April 26, 2014

In 2014 we celebrated: Movies – A Global Passion

One hundred years ago on a dusty California lot, Charlie Chaplin created the Tramp, arguably inventing the modern film in the process.

As an actor Chaplin brought pathos, nuance, and depth of character to the screen. As a director he embraced new technologies and explored new avenues for the medium. As a producer he developed innovative means of financing and distribution, helping to create the modern film industry and establishing film as one of the most popular art forms around the world.

A century later, movies are a global passion – for the millions who watch them every day and for the hundreds of thousands who work in the global film industry. The writers and actors, directors and producers, the editors, composers and designers, the sound and light technicians, the creators of special effects and new technologies: each one contributing their spark of creativity and innovative genius to this most collaborative of works.

With more films coming from more countries every day – and more means of dissemination, on screens large and small – we all benefit. The movies have come a long way since Chaplin’s Tramp. But their effect on us – the pleasure, and the passion – remains the same.