Choiseul: Cosette Liebgott Among the 40 in Media and Creation

Cosette Liebgott (E10) features this year in the Choiseul 40 ranking for Media and the Creative Industries. Now COO of Federation Studios France, she joined the production company in 2020. She looks back on her career and her passion for cinema.

While she regards the Choiseul distinction as a form of recognition, it also came as a genuine surprise: 'I didn't know Choiseul had a category for the media and audiovisual sector. I think it's an excellent initiative that gives visibility to our fascinating professions,' says Cosette Liebgott.

She knew from an early stage that she wanted to move into the audiovisual world. 'I've always been passionate about cinema and I've always wanted to work in culture.' Yet she ruled out a creative path. With no personal contacts in the industry, she chose ESSEC deliberately. 'At Lycée du Parc, I was a member of the Video Club. I then set out to join ESSEC in order to be part of Serge Hayat's Media Chair.'

Strong friendships

On campus, her love of cinema was confirmed and the Chair nurtured it. 'We met an invaluable range of figures. Within our cohort there was a real team spirit, with strong friendships.' Those bonds still endure today. 'Many went into cinema and audiovisual production. I now have very close friends with whom I'm also in touch professionally.'

She took her first steps in financing. First at Warner Bros Pictures in London, then at Cofiloisirs, where she would spend ten years. 'I came into cinema through financing, which is a key aspect of production. Working within a production company is a blend of skills and creative talent.'

In 2020, she joined Federation Studios, a production and distribution group specialising in series and documentaries, founded by Pascal Breton with the backing of Serge Hayat. 'Federation Studios has enjoyed phenomenal growth, both external and organic,' she explains. After two years heading the M&A department, she became director of production, then COO. The subsidiary produces around fifteen works a year for channels and platforms, among which Netflix holds a significant place.

A delicate market moment

After boom years, a slowdown is now making itself felt. 'We're in a rather delicate market moment, following years of very strong demand largely driven by the rise of the platforms. Over the past two years, we've seen demand decline. The platforms are becoming more demanding, while the private-channel model is now being questioned and France.tv is going through a genuine budget crisis.' To hold firm in such an environment, there is a single watchword: 'excellent producers, who allow us to stay solid.'

Reflecting on the future

For her, the Choiseul distinction is also a time for reflection, alongside the other honoured figures. 'The Choiseul institute held an evening to announce the winners. It's a chance to build a sense of shared belonging and to think together about the future of our professions and our sector.' Foremost among these reflections is the rollout of artificial intelligence. 'I'm fairly convinced that AI needs to be a tool at the service of creators. It can help them multiply their possibilities, removing limits and opening up new creative opportunities.' Enhanced productions, but also a sharply rising volume of output. 'We're already seeing an influx of production, notably 25-minute micro-dramas made with AI.' And she concludes: 'I'm confident. Audiences want quality series with real substance.'