This year again Europa Distribution and New Nordic Films have renewed their successful collaboration and will hold an open panel entitled “Force Majeure: How the industry can win audiences off the sofa and back to cinemas”, focusing on the challenges the industry’s professionals have been facing in attracting audiences after the pandemic and on the new initiatives put in place to win these audiences back to the big screen.

The panel will take place at Haugesund Public Library on Thursday 25 August (14:00 – 15:30) and will feature representatives of the key parts of the industry working directly with audiences: distributors, festivals and exhibitors; and a national film fund, who seek the most effective financial means to support film promotion and cultural diversity. The speakers are Johanna Meyer (distributor, Jour2fête, France), Anastasia Plazzotta (distributor, Wanted Cinema, Italy), Tonje Hardersen (festival and programme director, Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund, Norway), Ida Hauge Johannessen (exhibitor, Vega Cinema, Norway) and Dag Asbjørnsen (Head of International relations, Norwegian Film Institute, Norway) and the moderator is Michael Gubbins, journalist and media consultant.

Europa Distribution will continue discussing with its members, film professionals and experts about the specific challenges of releasing and promoting independent films with its next workshops and panels in San Sebastian and Amsterdam.