Schedule 2024

European Work in Progress x International Film Distribution Summit 15th Oct. 2024

Location:

Cinenova
Herbrandstraße 11
50825 Cologne

12:00 – 01:00 pmWARM-UP PANELS
African-European synergies: How can we boost distribribution of European and African in both continents?

In the framework of our African Focus and following last year’s discussions about the challenges for an African-European collaboration, we want to further explore this topic and more precisely, the distribution of European works in Africa and vice versa, African works in Europe. What can sales agents, distributors but also producers do to bring more titles to the audiences? What is failing to broaden the film culture of the audiences of these continents?

Our experts will discuss the most recent developments:

Mike Strano (YAKWETU, Kenia)
Semagngeta Aychiluhem (Guzo Films, Ethiopia)
Wangeci Murage (Media Pros Africa, Kenia)
Julien Razafindranaly (Films Boutique, Germany)
Aranka Matits (Featurette, Germany)

Moderation: Fabian Massah (Endorphine Production, Germany)

In Cooperation Creative Europe Desk NRW and EWIP
04:00 – 05:30 pmWARM-UP PANELS – Case Studies I & II
Best Practices – International Distribution & Marketing
Strategies for European Arthouse Cinema illustrated via two Creative Europe MEDIA funded films: SMOKE SAUNA SISTERHOOD and ANATOMY OF A FALL.


SMOKE SAUNA SISTERHOOD:
Marie Regehr (Filmladen, Austria), Katre Valgma (ACME Film, Estonia), Jen Davies (Conic, UK)

ANATOMY OF A FALL: Alya Belgaroui-Degalet (mk2, World Sales), Katharina Günther (Plaion Pictures, Germany), Beatrice Gulino (Teodora Film, Italy), Enrique Costa (Elastica Films, Spain)

In cooperation Creative Europe Desks Germany and EWIP.

International Film Distribution Summit / Day 1 / 16th Oct. 2024

Location:

Filmpalast
Hohenzollernring 22
50672 Cologne

10:00 – 11:00 amAccredition & Snacks
11:00 – 11:15 amOfficial opening
11:15 – 12:00 pmKEYNOTE #1
Kota Takada, Head of Acquisitions, SUNDAE/FILMARKS, Japan

How to build future audiences for indie films

Emily Meinke, CO-CEO, MFA Filmdistribution, Germany
12:00 – 12:45 pmKEYNOTE #2
Jen Davies, Co-CEO, CONIC, UK

Big dreams, indie spirit: building a new company to release incredible films

Moderation Q&A: Katharina Günther, Head of Marketing, Plaion
12:45 – 1:45 pmLunch Break
1:45 – 2:30 pmKEYNOTE #3
Pilar Toro, Director of Marketing and Communication, FILMIN, Spain

FILMIN: the journey of a streaming platform to boost cinephile audiences

Moderation Q&A: Nikolas Friedrich, PR Manager, mm Filmpresse, Germany

In Cooperation with Creative Europe Desk NRW
2:30 – 3:15 pmKEYNOTE #4
Vladimir Kokh, CEO, KMBO, France

Little KMBO: innovative campaigns for children and family films/the youngest audiences

Moderation Q&A: Marie Regehr, Head of Acquisitions, Filmladen, Austria
3:15 – 3:45 pmKEYNOTE #5
Mike Strano, Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer YAKWETU Online Limited, Kenia

Strategies for managing Piracy, in Africa and Beyond


Moderation Q&A: Torsten Frehse, CEO, Neue Visionen Filmverleih, Germany
3:45 – 4:30 pmCoffee break
4:30 – 5:15 pmKEYNOTE #6
David Larkin, Head of Business, LETTERBOXD, USA

The Letterboxd Generation – Profile of young movie superfans

Moderation Q&A: Sylvia Müller, CEO, Neue Visionen Filmverleih, Germany
5:15 – 6:00 pmKEYNOTE #7
Alex Stolz, Oliver Fegan, USHERU, UK

Own your Audience: Why the Future of Film Marketing is Community

Moderation Q&A: Enrico Dirksen, Home Entertainment / Distribution / Marketing, Piffl Medien, Germany
6:00 – 6:45 pmKEYNOTE #8
Mehdi Mimouni, Commercial Director, MOVIECHAINER, France

From Acquisition to Royalty Reporting: Movie Chainer for distributors

Moderation Q&A: Sophie Stejskal, Marketing & Acquisitions,
Filmladen, Austria
6:45 – 7:30 pmLaudatio & Award Ceremony

Location:

Brauhaus Sion

Unter Taschenmacher 5-7,
50667 Köln

8:00 pmIFDS-DINNER

International Film Distribution Summit / Day 2 / 17th Oct. 2024

Location:

Filmpalast
Hohenzollernring 22
50672 Cologne

10:00 – 10:45 amMASTERCLASS
Gabriele D’Andrea, Director of Marketing and Theatrical Distribution, LUCKY RED, Italy

Tradition, diversity and innovation to develop great connections between films and audiences

Moderation Q&A: Katharina Günther, Theatrical Marketing & PR, PLAION, Germany
10:45 – 11:30 amKEYNOTE #9
Eduardo Escudero, Founding Partner & Business Director,
A CONTRACORRIENTE FILMS, Spain

From big hits to auteur cinema – Strategies for along life to the films

Moderation Q&A: Dorothee Pfistner, Head of Acquisitions,
Neue Visionen Filmverleih, Germany
11:30 – 12:15 pmCoffee Break & Snacks
12:15 – 01:00 pmKEYNOTE #10
Maria Tanjala, Co-Founder, FILMCHAIN, UK

Data, transparency, and partnerships: The new paradigm of film distribution

Moderation Q&A: Benjamin Cölle, CEO, Pluto Film, Germany

In Cooperation with Creative Europe Desk NRW.
01:00 – 1:45 pmKEYNOTE #11
Paul Rieth, Audience Strategist & CEO of GET YOUR CROWD:

The Comeback of Crowdfunding? Exploring Community-Driven Financing in Film

Moderation Q&A: Torsten Frehse, CEO, Neue Visionen Filmverleih, Germany