11/12/2002

Fewer films being bought by television companies, competition that is blowing up the costs of promotion disproportionately, damaging release schedules in the ongoing war with Hollywood: the distributors and those who handle European films have to make their way amidst numerous obstacles. And yet film attendance is at record levels, European hits are being exported and the number of films produced in Europe is growing.
Improving distribution of these films was never as important as it is now: in order to raise the profile of our cultural diversity and make audiences all over Europe aware of the films being produced by their neighbours. A large number of industry operators got together in Paris for the annual conference organised by the Europa Cinemas theatre circuit to discuss just these issues on 23 November. Top of the agenda was setting down the status quo and suggesting new ways of working together in the future.