The Marché du Film and the European independent distributors

By Davide Abbatescianni   Cannes’ Marché du Film has always been an event of crucial importance for the whole international film industry. After the cancellation of the 2020 festival and the huge disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 edition of the world’s largest film market is a much-anticipated opportunity for distributors, sales agents,…

Interview with Michel Zana, Head of Distribution of Dulac Distribution, France

By Jesús Silva   Michel Zana, Head of Distribution of Dulac Distribution, shared his views on the French market and the specific Covid-recovery measures implemented by the local authorities to support the industry during the pandemic. Zana also opened up about the failed proposal of a concerted calendar for distribution after the second lockdown.  …

Interview with Luis Apolinario, General Manager of Alambique, Portugal

By Jesús Silva   We sat down with Luis Apolinario, General Manager and co-founder of Portugal’s Alambique, to discuss the situation of the Portuguese market for independent film distribution. Apolinario points out the necessity to address the structural problems hindering the Portuguese market, such as the serious lack of independent screens, while asking for more…

Interview with Alexis Hofmann, Head of Acquisitions of BAC Films, France

By Jesús Silva   We talked to Alexis Hofmann, Head of Acquisitions of BAC Films, about their line-up, the marketing approach of their company and some distinct traits of the French market. Like many other independent distributors in the country, Hofmann calls for specific support to address cinemas reopening in France, due to the high…

Interview with Ditte Daugbjerg Christensen, Managing director of Øst for Paradis, Denmark

By Joachim Soudan   Talking with Ditte Daugbjerg Christensen, Managing Co-Director of Øst for Paradis, we went through the aspects of the Danish arthouse market, the current tendencies related to streaming and the two lockdowns, and, furthermore the immense power and need of movies to relate to each other.   How would you describe your…

Interview with Mira Staleva, Distributor, Art Fest, Bulgaria

By Davide Abbatescianni   We sat down with Mira Staleva, Distribution Manager at Sofia-based outfit Art Fest. We discussed the company’s editorial policy, the current challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak and the Bulgarian film distribution landscape.   What’s your company’s line up? What about your editorial policy? Our editorial policy focuses on arthouse titles.…

Interview with Michael Höfner, CEO of GMFilms, Germany

By Joachim Soudan   We met Michael Höfner, founder of GMFilms, and asked him to tell us about his company and Germany’s market and situation during the Covid-19 pandemic. He describes his work as a sole trader, explains the small arthouse audience, and shares his interrogations for the future.   How would you describe your…

Interview with Thomas Bertacche, co-founder of Tucker Film, Italy

By Joachim Soudan   We had a chat with Thomas Bertacche, co-founder of Tucker Film, a distribution company specialised in European and Asian films. He speaks with us about the variety of work done around movies, including organising a festival and launching a streaming platform, the strategy of investing in Asian titles to work their…

Interview with Oana Furdea, Distribution Manager, Transilvania Film, Romania

By Davide Abbatescianni   We sat down with Oana Furdea, Distribution Manager at Bucharest-based outfit Transilvania Film. We discussed the company’s editorial policy, the current challenges posed by the pandemic and the Romanian film distribution landscape.   What’s your company’s line up? What about your editorial policy? Our company was established in 2003. We’re trying…

Interview with Miguel Morales, Director of Wanda Vision, Spain

By Jesús Silva   We caught up with Miguel Morales, Director of Wanda Vision, who opened up about the particularities of distributing independent films in Spain. Due to a decentralised approach for tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, Spanish distributors must keep up to date on the different restrictions affecting cinemas in every region of the country,…