Europa Distribution will hold its Network Conference - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About European Films Distribution - and Why It Matters, on 20 and 21 November, for the first time in Brussels. The conference will bring together a diverse group of independent distributors, industry experts and European Institutions’ and organisations' representatives, offering a valuable platform for exchange, forward-thinking, and a deeper understanding of the film publishing and distribution sector and the circulation of European films. The morning sessions will feature panels and discussions all moderated by journalist Michael Gubbins, while the afternoons will be devoted to closed working sessions for distributors attending the conference, building on the themes explored earlier in the day.  The main topics of the first day will be films’ acquisitions and promotion, while the second day will focus on innovation and ethics.

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The panel ‘Building a Sustainable Independent Distribution Model’ opens the event with distributors Marek Bień (Gutek Film, Poland), Eduardo Escudero (A Contracorriente Films, Spain), Sabine Hofmann (Polyfilm, Austria), Jan Macola (Pilot Films, Czech Republic), Johanna Mayer (Jour2Fête, France), and Vincent Quek (Anticipate Pictures, Singapore) to discuss how to build a resilient, sustainable business model in a volatile and extremely competitive environment.

In ‘Bringing European Films to Audiences Everywhere – The Case of Sirat [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Óliver Laxe
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intervista: Maura Delpero
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The second day begins with “Mapping AI in Film Distribution & Promotion,” featuring distributors Štefan Cima (Zero Gravity, Czech Republic) and Simon Wullens (Lumière Publishing, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg), Cécile Despringre (Society of Audiovisual Authors), and Marie-Line Lormans (Europa Distribution), on the benefits, limitations and responsible integration of AI and data-driven tools in film distribution.

In “Ethical Campaigns to Steer Debate Among Local Audiences,” distributors Gerald Knell (Polyfilm, Austria), Romain Leloux (Imagine Film Distribution, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg), Anastasia Plazzotta (Wanted, Italy), and Coline Aymard (Citizen 7, France) and Mélanie Simon-Franza (La Grande Distribution, France) discuss how independent distribution plays a pivotal role in creating and widening debate around the social challenges of our times addressing topics like democracy, inclusion, and climate action. They will discuss among others the releases of Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Kaouther Ben Hania
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Finally, “Leading by Example – Challenges and Progress in Ethical Business” gathers Christine Eloy (Europa Distribution), exhibitor Clara Léonet (CinéCité, Belgium), and distributors Anne Marte Nygaard (Arthaus, Norway) and Paulina Jaroszewicz (New Horizons Association, Poland) to explore progress and challenges in gender equality, inclusion, and sustainability within the sector.

Through its wide-ranging sessions, the conference aims to foster collaboration, share best practices, and strengthen the role of independent distributors as cultural mediators and advocates for a diverse, sustainable, and ethical film ecosystem. Distributors will explore how they can adapt, innovate, and uphold ethical and sustainable practices in a rapidly changing audiovisual landscape.

Europa Distribution will continue to organise networking events for distributors and other film professionals, and discuss the unique challenges of promoting and publishing European independent films. The network’s next events will be The Film Distribution Innovation Hub in brand new partnership with When East Meets West in Trieste from 18-21 January 2026, a public panel at the EFM in Berlin in February, and many more to follow soon.

Articles on all events are published on Cineuropa and Europa Distribution’s socials and website.