For the very first time, Europa Distribution and CICAE (International Confederation of Arthouse Cinemas), join forces to host a working session on the distribution and exhibition of animation films across diverse regions, from 10-12 June during the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The event, which will bring together 20 prominent independent exhibitors and distributors from 16 countries, provides a valuable opportunity for both associations to refine its members’ release strategies, promotional campaigns and innovative initiatives, with a particular focus on animation. A closed workshop will take place on Wednesday 11 June and will provide distributors and exhibitors from a diverse range of countries with the opportunity to meet, network, share best practices and acquisition strategies and discuss the latest developments in animation.

Distributors and exhibitors remain crucial segments of the audiovisual value chain. Yet, both are dealing daily with a rapidly evolving environment, with new technologies, changing patterns of audience behaviour pushing for a constant renewal of the ways to attract audiences for diverse, culturally valuable films. Within the audiovisual value chain, these two branches ensure that audiovisual works connect with audiences. This joint session with 20 members of Europa Distribution and CICAE will be an unique opportunity for all participants to share best practices and ideas across the customer-facing areas of the film business and to explore synergies between their strategies especially when it comes to the promotion and release of animation. 

Participants will be split among different groups of discussion. Each group will be composed of an equal number of distributors and exhibitors with diverse backgrounds from across the world. At each “table”, a facilitator will make sure that everybody has an equal chance to share thoughts, good practices and ideas. Participants will then decide together who will be the person sharing the outcome of each discussion during the final wrap-up.