Europa Distribution, the international association representing independent film publishers and distributors, has successfully concluded a new edition of its initiative Distributors on the Move. This cross-border exchange programme is specifically crafted for marketing and sales professionals within the film distribution industry, offering them a valuable chance to broaden their expertise and build international networks.

Participants paired with a colleague from another European distribution company and each duo engaged in a reciprocal five-day exchange, during which they visited one another’s countries, actively participating in the daily workflows of their host companies. The initiative aims to facilitate the sharing of practical insights and marketing know-how, ranging from the comparison of marketing strategies and outcomes for specific campaigns, to the exploration of innovative approaches to film promotion, both online and offline.

For the 2024–2025 edition, six professionals from distribution companies in Poland, Denmark, The Netherlands, Italy, and Czech Republic have taken part in the programme, continuing its mission to strengthen the European independent film sector through shared experience and cooperation.

Last winter, Anna Šenfeldová, marketing specialist at Aerofilm (Czech Republic) and Chantal van Remmen, marketing coordinator at Cherry Pickers Filmdistributie (The Netherlands) spent a few days in each other countries. Van Remmen wanted to join the project to broaden her professional network and “to have the opportunity to deep dive into how companies in other countries work with certain movies. I think a lot of inspiration comes from it”. Despite not having common recent releases, the pair found the programme very enriching, as they exchanged on European films. Describing the experience, Šenfeldová underlined how impactful it was for her, “it was a big adventure, a pleasure”, she stated, “but it is not for free. You need to dedicate time and energy in it, but if you do, it will be absolutely beneficial. It is important as well to tailor your stay with your partner. It requires some work, but it is very rewarding in the end”.

Another pair of distributors travelled to each other's home base in March: Sophie Louise Worning, social media & marketing coordinator at Camera Film (Denmark) and Kasia Siewko, PR & Promotion Specialist at Gutek Film (Poland). The Polish distribution company Gutek Film has been a regular participant in the programme since the first edition in 2019, consistently highlighting the positive feedback of the project. On this occasion, Siewko chose to collaborate with Camera Film due to the “many similarities within the two companies”, noting that “it was really interesting seeing how Camera Film works with the same titles we have in our line-up. It was a continuous exchange”. Worning echoed the sentiment, as she underlined how “insightful” it was to find out that “distribution can also be done differently”. For the two of them, the most valuable aspect was to compare their knowledge, sharing perspectives and differences. As Siewko put it, “We need this programme to allow people on more junior positions to share ideas, but also struggles. It was incredibly helpful”.

The final pair for this year’s edition was formed by Elin Boijens, marketing coordinator for The Searchers (The Netherlands) and Giulia Amadio, from the marketing team at Bim Distribuzione (Italy). The two marketing experts decided to be partners as they shared multiple titles in their line-ups, enabling them to go into a deep comparison between the marketing strategies. Reflecting on the experience, both described it as enlightening, as it allowed them to compare different approaches and work environments in other countries. They also noted the value of in-person exchanges for better understanding the cultural and cinematic environment. As Boijens said “if you do not have these moments of exchange, you get so used to how things are set up in your country that you take it for granted”. She continued stating how the comparison between countries is fundamental, particularly when it comes to independent film distribution.

Beyond the professional side, some participants also pointed out the personal and cultural significance of Distributors on the Move. Boijens commented on the unique experience of visiting a city through cinematic lens only, saying, “It was inspiring to see what different cities and countries have to offer.” To this, her colleague Amadio added “doing all of this with a tutor really helps you understand the cinematic landscape. It is a really interesting part of the experience, which is also about two people spending time together. It is absolutely added value”.

The cultural value of the programme was also underlined by the Danish distributor Worning, who reflected on the broader impact of the programme, stating “I just really loved the feeling of being part of the European industry. Everyone experiences the same joys –and the same challenges–, and it was nice to share that with a colleague from a different European country. It gave me a community feeling”.

With initiatives like Distributors on the Move, Europa Distribution continues to play a vital role in shaping a resilient, interconnected European film distribution network.

In collaboration with