11/04/2016 - The Observatory's conference this year is set to focus on the export of European films

The European Audiovisual Observatory is focusing on the export of European films in this year's Cannes conference. The title of the conference is Ticket to Ride! What makes European films travel? In order to attend this year's event you'll have to cross the road - like our Observatory Fab Four - to the Olympia Cinema, 7 rue d'Antibes, Cannes. The conference will be held on Saturday 14 May from 9.30 - 11.30. Full programme here.

A line-up of experts will look at three aspects of exporting European films: the importance of European films outside their national markets, what makes successful European films travel and how digital platforms are opening up export possibilities. Speakers this year include Stefano Massenzi, Head of Acquisitions and Business Affairs at Lucky Red (associate producer of The White Ribbon [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Michael Haneke
film profile], Funny Games [+see also:
trailer
film profile] and This must be the Place [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Paolo Sorrentino
film profile]), Daniela Elstner, President of the French Association des Exportateurs de Films and Ed Guiney of Element Pictures (producer of Oscar winning Room [+see also:
film review
trailer
making of
film profile], The Lobster [+see also:
film review
trailer
Q&A: Yorgos Lanthimos
film profile] and Frank [+see also:
trailer
film profile]).

The Observatory's own team: Maja Cappello, Head of the Department for Legal Information and Martin Kanzler, Film Analyst, will be introducing each panel with snapshot presentations of data and analysis of the European film industry. This year's Master of Ceremonies is Michael Gubbins of SampoMedia.

The Observatory's Executive Director, Susanne Nikoltchev, pointed out that the "new-look" conference is taking place in at a new venue "in order to reply to increasing demand for more seats". She added that the format would be "more relaxed, less academic and with more audience interplay".

For an invitation: cannes@coe.int