For the third year in a row (i.e. second edition), the Industry Office of Festival del film Locarno organises StepIn, an interdisciplinary and international forum of discussions for 70 or so industry professionals (mostly sales agents, distributors and exhibitors) in close cooperation with Europa International, Europa Distribution and Europa Cinemas, and this year for the first time FERA (Federation of European Film Directors).
The StepIn morning, which is open to all industry guests, will begin with two interactive presentations on the Brazilian and South African markets (10:30am-12:30pm), with key players from the regions.
Questions by professionals from the floor are encouraged.
Panellists for the Brazilian focus include: André Sturm (Chairman, Cinema do Brasil), Jean-Thomas Bernardini (President, Imovision), Marcos de Oliveira (General Manager, Europa Filmes), and for the panel on South Africa: Clive Fisher (General Manager Acquisitions& Scheduling, Ster-Kinekor), Michael Auret (Joint Managing Director, Spier Films), Michiel Berkel (Acquisition Manager, Comart Films)
The afternoon session (2:30pm – 5:30pm) will be dedicated to closed working sessions – the brainstorming part of the StepIn Day – with a core target of participants from international sales, distribution, exhibition and new distribution platforms. This part of StepIn is by invitation only.
After a short introduction of the key issues, participants will break into groups, each working on a specific challenge pertaining to the future of distribution of arthouse films in Europe and abroad. Among other topics we will focus on Audience Development in Public and Communal Settings and at Home as well as issues related to VOD, Day&Date/Multi-Platform/Multi-Territories Releases. In a debriefing session, the groups will present their results and discuss suggestions, possible new ideas and concepts to explore and to test in their market.
Confirmed international guests include: Eugene Hernandez (Deputy Director, Film Society of Lincoln Center), Sheila de la Varende (Director, Intl. Promotion,Telefilm Canada), Roberto Olla (Executive Director, Eurimages), Marit van den Elshout (Cinemart Manager, Cinemart Rotterdam), Monique Simard (President & CEO, SODEC).
StepIn 2014
Official Program
