In Brussels, on April 11, Europa Distribution hold the closing ceremony of the fifth edition of its mentorship programme, EDMentorShe. Launched in 2019, the initiative was created in direct response to the research conducted the previous year among the members of the association, which highlighted some imbalance within the independent distribution sector. While women were well represented in departments such as acquisitions, sales & programming, press, marketing, and legal affairs, the situation was very different at the leadership level: in 2018, only 30% of CEO roles among Europa Distribution’s member companies were held by women. This statistic prompted action, and Europa Distribution launched EDMentorShe (also known as EDMS), a programme designed to address this gap by supporting the professional growth of women in distribution and encouraging more of them to step into management and leadership positions. At the heart of the programme is a one-to-one mentorship model, pairing early-career professionals with experienced mentors who help them build the confidence, strategic mindset, and skills needed to advance in their role, or even launch their own companies in the future. Since its launch, the programme has evolved into a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, skill-building, and networking. With each edition, it continues to generate fresh perspectives and foster meaningful conversations across generations of women in the distribution field.

The closing session for the fifth edition of EDMentorShe brought together eight duos of mentors and mentees, who had been on this shared journey since summer 2024. Although the participants convened in person in Brussels for the event, their collaboration unfolded mainly online throughout the year, with occasional face-to-face meetings during international film festivals. Julie Vanderkelen of Cinéart (Belgium) formed a pair with Hanna Csata, who is working at Mozinet (Hungary); Sarah Chazelle from Jour2fête (France) mentored Vytaute Skučaitė from Greta Garbo Films (Lithuania); Anne Marte Nygaard, working for Arthaus (Norway) joined up with Mathilde Declercq, from Haut et Court (France); Sabine Hofmann from Polyfilm (Austria) guided Chantal van Remmen, working for Cherry Pickers (Netherlands), while fellow Dutch Gabrielle Rozing from Imagine Film was the mentor for Lithuania’s Ieva Streizyte, from Kino Pavasaris. Mette Søgaard from the Danish distributor Camera Film formed a pair with Dominika Baranowska, from Poland’s New Horizons Association. Soli Beraha, working in Greece for Feelgood Entertainment shared her expertise with Olga Baruk, from Germany’s Luftkind Filmverleih. Finally, Vi Nguyen, Film Consultant for the Netherlands Film Fund and former head of Imagine Film in the Netherlands, mentored Aleksandra Sobieraj, working for M2 Films (Poland).

The in-person gathering in Brussels gave rise to rich and thought-provoking conversations. Despite their varied backgrounds, professional roles, and personalities, the women discovered many shared challenges in their careers. The cross-cultural exchange of experiences and solutions, both during the mentorship journey and in the final session, proved highly enriching. Differences in age and regional context led to vibrant discussions, not only about national film distribution landscapes but also about workplace dynamics and personal wellbeing.

One recurring theme was the heightened pressure felt by young professionals. Several mentees from all over Europe noted how such pressure, if left unaddressed, may quickly translate into frustration and elevated stress levels. As a matter of fact, the main theme addressed by both mentors and mentees was mental health, declined in all possible shades: from work-life balance to burn outs, from working mothers to boundaries. The reflection started when a distributor underlined the fact that we are never really disconnected from work: since the sector we work in tends to be not just a job, but a passion, the risk of not setting the right boundaries is high. Another participant used a fitting metaphor, pointing out how one almost feels under an “emailing attack”, consequently feeling obliged to answer everything, everywhere. The mentors shared this feeling as well, suggesting some possible solutions: they all stressed the importance of good time management and setting boundaries, not only with colleagues or bosses, but starting with oneself. It was also highlighted the importance of delegating bottom-up, when necessary. The final tip was to remind everyone of the aphorism “No is a full sentence”.

Another important topic that came out of the discussions was the need for better communication strategies. Generally speaking, women need more confidence, as they still have to find a stronger voice in the sector. Underlined by many mentors was the importance of asking for feedback, being assertive and decisive, also in order to be considered for higher managing roles. All of this reminded one of the mentees of another workshop organized by Europa Distribution, titled “Effective communication in professional interactions, team management, and negotiation” (read report). The workshop, held in Sofia, was considered by the young professional as very useful, so much so that it has been suggested to other women in distribution. Furthermore, communication also emerged as a key theme for what concerns relationships between colleagues and interactions with supervisors. As one mentor pointed out, every relationship is shaped by both sides, and —aside from extreme or toxic situations— improving our work environment often begins with how we choose to communicate. Effective communication, she noted, is about building meaningful connections and finding the most constructive way to engage with others.

The last main topic that emerged during this final session was linked to networking. All the mentors stressed the importance of having contacts in the sector, inviting the mentees to create a strong network. To do so, some of the mentors suggested the creation of LinkedIn groups or being more active on social networks created for work, while others insisted on the in-person relationship. Methodological differences aside, all mentors agreed on the essential part played by networking to work in the best possible way. Evidently, the EDMS programme has networking at its core and both mentors and mentees praised the occasion created to network and share with each other: making contacts in person, exchanging and sharing are the main foundations of the programme and, by extension, of Europa Distribution and all its activities all year long. The conversation between the participants led to other broad topics of discussion yet to tackle, for example how to manage being a mother while working, maternity leave and equal pay, but also career changes.

What truly impresses about this programme is that its impact flows both ways: mentors often describe the experience just as rewarding as it is for the mentees, with many returning year after year. The exchange of ideas, perspectives, and personal stories not only supports emerging professionals, but also inspires mentors to reflect on their own journeys. As one mentor shared, the most powerful part of the programme was the genuine dialogue it sparked. These regular meetings became a trusted space where honest conversations could happen. Having someone from within the industry, yet with a fresh viewpoint, created a unique dynamic that has been invaluable for both mentor and mentee. This spirit of shared growth and connection continues to make the programme such a meaningful experience for everyone involved.

As the fifth edition of EDMentorShe draws to a close, it leaves behind a renewed sense of purpose, solidarity, and momentum. What began as a response to a gender imbalance at the leadership level, has evolved into a transformative space where women across Europe come together not only to grow professionally, but to share openly, reflect deeply, and support one another. The conversations sparked in Brussels about mental health, communication, networking, and leadership, demonstrate how crucial it is to foster mentorship that goes beyond career advancement, embracing the human experience within the workplace. With each edition, EDMentorShe not only equips a new generation of women with the tools to lead, but continues to redefine what leadership can look like in the independent distribution sector. More than a programme, it has become a community, one that is reshaping the future of the industry from the inside out.

The next edition has already been launched, and Europa Distribution is looking forward to discovering what next year will bring to the new pairs of women.