Europa Distribution will return to the European Film Market (EFM) (13-19 February) at the Berlinale with an open panel titled "Lost in Translation? Independent Cinema Can Speak to Youth!". This panel, which will explore strategies for engaging young audiences in Europe and beyond, invites a wider professional audience and all EFM attendees to participate in the conversation.

Taking place on Sunday 16 February from 16:30-18:00 at the Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation, the discussion will delve into pressing questions. How can independent distributors break through the noise and engage young audiences? What strategies can shift the perception of cinema for those aged 15-25? And how can we overcome the image of a European cinema being "lost in translation" for youth today? This panel will tackle these pressing questions, exploring diverse strategies and fresh perspectives from across Europe. Speakers from various corners of the film industry, along with an expert from the academic sphere, will present a series of approaches to engaging with young viewers.

The discussion will draw on recent academic insights into youth cinema habits in Belgium, provided by Axelle Asmar from Vrije Universiteit Brussel’s Faculty of Studies in Media, Innovation and Technology, along with distribution and marketing expertise from Filmladen's Sophie Stejskal (Austria), Jour2Fête's Juliette Douhaire (France) and Nowe Horyzonty's Paulina Jaroszewicz (Poland). Additionally, David Larkin, head of business at Letterboxd, will discuss how the social media platform has become a global hub for young film enthusiasts. The discussion will be moderated by consultant and journalist Michael Gubbins.

Together, they will unpack the complexities of reaching youth, analysing evolving trends and audience habits. With their diverse experiences, they will spotlight practical tools and ideas to ensure European independent cinema stays vibrant, relevant and engaging for this new generation of film-lovers.

The panel is part of the EFM Industry Sessions, which include talks, think tanks and networking opportunities designed for film industry professionals. The full Industry Programme is available on the EFM website.