The European Audiovisual Observatory will be back in Cannes this year with two new conferences announced and a stand on the Marché du Film (H1 Riviera). The Observatory team will be present in Cannes around the first weekend and looking forward to meeting up with international film professionals in the Palais des Festivals and on the Croisette.
The first conference announced by the Observatory will examine the role of cinemas in the promotion of a diverse film industry and how to support them.
While admissions in several countries have almost recovered from the COVID-19 crisis, structural trends seem to be at work and the film industry is facing major changes in the market, in society and in climate. Against this background this year's Observatory conference is zooming in on the challenges and opportunities faced by the distribution and exhibition sector by analysing the status quo of theatrical film distribution and exhibition in Europe against long-term trends, both from a market and legal perspective. Our expert panel will also be exploring the role of theatrical exploitation in the mid-term (economic, cultural & social) as well as its implications on regulation and policy measures.
This conference:
The future role of theatrical exploitation in Europe. Navigating change: Challenges and opportunities in European film distribution and exhibition
will take place on Saturday 18 May from 9.30 – 11.30 (CEST) in the Main Stage (Riviera) conference area. The event is open to all Marché, Festival and Journalist accreditations. If you have a pass to get into the Palais, you can come!
Free registration here
The conference is a hybrid event and will also be live streamed on the Marché du Film’s YouTube platform for anyone not taking part in the Marché. Conference language is English.
Speakers already announced for this first conference are: Lucia Recalde, Deputy Director and Head of Unit Audiovisual Industry and media support programmes, DG Connect, Christof Papousek, CFO of Austrian based multiplex company Cineplexx and Marlena Gabryszewska, CEO of the Arthouse Cinemas Association of Poland.
The Observatory will provide scene setting context with snapshots by Martin Kanzler and Sophie Valais, the Observatory’s two Deputy Heads of Department. Our expert panel will be moderated by Gilles Fontaine, Head of the Observatory’s Department for Market Information and Maja Cappello, Head of Department for Legal Information.
A second Observatory-Marché du Film conference will launch the 2024 edition of the Observatory’s FOCUS – World Film Market Trends report which will be freely available as a give-away at this event and on the Observatory’s stand during the Marché du Film. This annual pocketbook report gives invaluable one stop shop insights on the main key trends in the international film sector. This conference, co-hosted by the Marché de film, is designed as an “all you need to know” event in a short 45-minute format. Gilles Fontaine, Martin Kanzler and Cinema Analyst Manuel Fioroni will talk trends with Matthias Bürcher, Head of service distribution and diversity from the Swiss Federal Office of Culture (FOC). This conversation round will zoom in on the latest tendencies in cinema going, film production and distribution.
FOCUS 2024: Key Trends in the Film Sector session
will take place on Friday 17 May from 17.00 – 17.45 (CEST) on the Palais stage at level -1.
Free registration here
All participants will receive a free copy of the Observatory’s annual FOCUS – World Film Market Trends report. Conference language is English.
Susanne Nikoltchev, the Observatory’s Executive Director, said she was looking forward to “exploring the challenges and opportunities for film distribution and exhibition in Europe with an exceptional panel this year.” She added that Friday’s FOCUS session would “zoom in on Switzerland as the Cannes country of honour this year”.
The European Audiovisual Observatory team will be present on stand H1 in the Marina/Riviera area of the Palais des festivals from 14 to 22 May. Drop by and say hello in person!
Contact: Alison.hindhaugh@coe.int
+ 33 (0) 3 90 21 60 10 (direct)
