The International Film Distribution Summit (IFDS) has unveiled the programme for its fifth edition, which will take place in Hamburg from 29 September-1 October. Once again, the event will form part of the FilmFest Hamburg Industry Days, alongside initiatives including the Explorer Konferenz, Futura Cinema, #ATELIER, ENCOURAGE Film Talents and European Work in Progress (EWIP).

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This year, the summit will continue to focus on the changing landscape of international film distribution, with a series of keynotes and discussions addressing release strategies, audience behaviour, data analysis, theatrical exhibition and the development of alternative distribution models.

The programme will begin on 29 September with an IFDS x EWIP warm-up. Victor Chudal-Linden, head of project at Germany’s GIZ, will deliver a keynote entitled “Connecting Continents, Markets & Audiences: A New Programme for Africa-Europe Partnerships”. Later that day, EWIP and IFDS will join forces for a session examining innovative release strategies for European arthouse productions. Distributors and sales agents will discuss national and international approaches through the examples of two Creative Europe - MEDIA-supported films, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain and Nouvelle Vague.

The main IFDS programme on 30 September will feature a broad range of perspectives from across the distribution sector. Thomas Legal, head of programming at French outfit The Jokers, will discuss how distributors can maintain a distinctive identity and reach both existing and new audiences in an increasingly competitive market. Monica Felea, CEO of Romania’s Bad Unicorn, will follow with the keynote “Breaking the Invisible Wall”.

Data and audience analysis will also be central to the day. Thomas Beranek, chief analyst at Gower Street Analytics, will explore the role of forecasting in selecting release dates and improving box-office performance, while Cineamo’s Julia Langhof will look at the final stages of film marketing and their impact on ticket sales. Gruvi founder Ben Johnson will examine which audience behaviours matter most during a film release.

The afternoon will broaden the geographical scope of the discussion. Eduardo Calla, chief strategy officer at Chile’s BF Distribution, will speak about how world cinema has influenced the company’s thinking on strategy and market development, while Hakka Distribution CEO Mohamed Frini will present the company’s experience of building an alternative distribution network in Tunisia. Later, VUE director of Distribution Eve Gabereau will discuss the relationship between theatrical release and longer-term audience engagement. The programme will conclude with a master class featuring KMBO CEO Vladimir Kokh, focusing on the French distributor’s growth.

The final morning, on 1 October, will include a presentation by Usheru head of Audience Alex Stolz on converting audience interest into cinema attendance, followed by South Korean distributor Lee Yun-Yeong, CEO of Cinematograph, who will examine smaller-scale release strategies in South Korea.

The summit is funded by Creative Europe - MEDIA and supported by FilmFest Hamburg, the MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein and the Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA), as well as by European Work in Progress. Registration is reserved for professionals actively working in the film industry.