18/09/2019 - The network will gather experts and professionals to address the availability and visibility of European films on online platforms on 23 September

Europa Distribution will host a workshop on the presence and prominence of European films on VoD during the San Sebastian International Film Festival, on Monday 23 September. The network will gather experts and professionals to discuss over a public talk and then during a private workshop the extremely sensitive topic of the availability and visibility of European films on online platforms.

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As the network explains, "VoD has become a prominent element of the film sector but it is not easy for independent distributors to have their independent and European films defended at best on VoD platforms. While DVDs were important in the life of a film, it is unfortunately not yet the case with VoD releases. This is of course a concern and a key topic for independent distributors as their long-term revenues may face a significant decrease. At an institutional level, the Audiovisual Media Service directive (AVMS) and more specifically the quotas and the prominence tools to be implemented at European level will hopefully help independent European films to gain more visibility."

Europa Distribution's panel, taking place between 10:00 and 11:30 am in the San Telmo Museum, will welcome AVMS Chief of Unit at European Commission Anna Herold, European Audiovisual Observatory film analyst Martin Kanzler, EFADs Secretary General Julie-Jeanne Régnault, Artcam's Vit Schmarc and EUROVOD Secretary General Silvia Cibien, who will share their views and experiences with the audience. This public panel will be moderated by SampoMedia founder, Ffilm Cymru Wales former chair and journalist Michael Gubbins.
 
The public panel will be followed by a closed workshop on Tuesday 24 September where Europa Distribution members will have the opportunity to have an in-depth discussion with the invited speakers to the open panel. On Wednesday 25 September, Lithuania's Aistė Račaitytė (Kino Pavasaris), Romania's Monica Felea (Bad Unicorn), UK's Ulysse Kelbert (Curzon), Poland's Jakub Mróz (Tongariro Releasing), UK's Kahloon Loke (Peccadillo Pictures), and Switzerland's Carola Stern (Filmcoopi) will share their experience and stories during a session dedicated to the strategies behind the releases of recent European titles.