12/12/2016 - Four 2017 events in Rotterdam, Berlin and Copenhagen will kick off the new Film Tech Hub, which is aimed at propelling the film industry into the future

“Propellor is the first film incubator that deals with business models and distribution. We want to challenge the way the film industry works today, to better accommodate new audiences and new experiences,” explained Tine Fischer, director of the CPH:DOX - Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival.

With the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the European Film Market at the Berlin International Film Festival and Berlin-based management company Cinemathon, among others, operating the Cinando online network for film professionals, CPH:DOX has instigated Propellor Film Tech Hub, which is aimed at propelling the film industry into the future.

“There are many opportunities in the film industry to develop content, but there is not a single programme dedicated to the development of new business models for the production, distribution and experience of films,” added Erwin M Schmidt, managing directorof Cinemathon, which is planning to set up Propellor Incubator in 2018 to continue the efforts.

Four events in 2017 will get the ball rolling: Propellor-Kickstart, from 31 January-1 February, during the IFFR; Propellor-Speednic, on 14 February, during the Berlin International Film Festival; Propellor-Springboard, from 17-19 March in Copenhagen, at CPH:DOX; and another Springboard from 28-30 April in Berlin. A boot camp will follow in the summer.

The four instigators believe that the film industry is at a critical point, lacking efficient strategies and methods to adapt to current challenges, such as changing viewing habits, over-production of films and outdated business models. “The industry needs a whole new dynamic, but this will take some initial movement,” according to IFFR director Bero Beyer. “We want to move towards a place where the film industry will engage with innovation and acknowledge that it is a crucial part of the future of film,” said Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick. “This will be that missing link between the film industry and the latest technological trends and new social interaction,” added market director Matthijs Wouter Knol.