13/05/2005

The National Federation of Film Distributors (FNDF) has announced the defection of the five companies who have formed for several years an informal association known as the Club of Five. In fact, Diaphana Distribution, Haut et Court, Les Films du Losange, Rezo Films and Pyramide decided to go it alone and to create an organisation of independent distributors who do not operate in parallel as exhibitors (which is the tendency among members of the FNDF, such as MK2 Distribution). The objective set by those leaving, who could soon be joined by others, is to regain influence and lobbying power for their specific area of expertise. This decision can also be seen as evidence of a growing gulf between the needs of exhibitors and distributors. The increase in the number of prints and the bottleneck for releases at critical periods with a high audience potential remain at the heart of the discord, which was not totally resolved by the good conduct agreement signed two years ago by FNDF and the FNCF (National federation of French Cinemas).

(Translated from French)