21/11/2013 - The Greek capital welcomes 580 operators, distributors, sellers, producers and institution members for the annual conference of the cinema network

With 1170 cinemas and 3197 screens in 673 towns, the Europa Cinemas network plays a decisive role in the circulation of European films. For this reason, the debates organised as part of the 18^th annual conference (which begins today in Athens) are to be followed with the utmost attention in a context in which the cinematographic industry must adapt to a multiplicity of challenges linked to the emergence of the digital era in general, and in particular the imminent "switch off" (the end of 35 mm films) which could lead to the closure of many small theatres in Europe.

Launched with the screening this Thursday of 16 European films (see the list below), the event will delve into the matter at hand tomorrow for three days of debates opened by Xavier Troussard (Head of Unit for the Creative Europe programme – read the interview), Nico Simon (President of Europa Cinemas) and Claude-Eric Poiroux (General Director of the network). The panel dedicated to the future of theatres will notably welcome interventions by Clare Binns (UK – director of programmes and acquisitions for Picturehouse Cinemas), Claus Philipp (Austria – operator and distributor for Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus) and Nina Pece (Slovenia - Kinodvor) on the subject of the perception and valorisation of theatres and the interaction with the public.   

Saturday will focus on three main topics: Digital changes today and tomorrow will analyse the situation of distribution and digital equipment in Europe, VPF practices and solutions for cinemas that have not yet been digitalized with, amongst others, Italian operator Domenico Dinoia, his Dutch counterpart Ron Sterk, Alex Stolz (UK - British Film Institute), Jean Mizrahi (France - Ymagis), his compatriot Eric Vicente (Sophie Dulac Distribution) and professional operators-distributors such as Laurent Dutoit (Switzerland) and Ivo Andrle (Czech Republic).

Saturday’s second panel will deal with the crucial question of how to develop and renew the public, and in particular young people, a theme explored notably by Michael Pierce (UK - Cinema Nation) and Madeleine Probst (UK - Watershed Cinemas), Domenico La Porta (Belgium - Movie Hunters) and Daniel Sibbers (Germany - Yorck-Kino).

New offers and new concepts will be at the heart of the third workshop organised on Saturday with debates on the implication of exporters and distributors in theatre programming, but also the attractiveness and diversity of films on offer. The discussions will be hosted by Daniela Elstner (manager of the French outfit Doc & Film International), Susan Wendt (Denmark – sales director for TrustNordisk), Nick Varley (UK - Park Circus) and Tom Dercourt (France - La Septième Salle).

The conference, which will end on Sunday with the presentation of Europa Cinemas’ activities as part of Creative Europe, will also witness the network’s annual awards ceremony for Best Programming, Best Entrepreneur and Best Activities for Young Audiences.

List of films on the programme:

Black Board [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Yves Yersin (CH- Label Europa Cinemas in Locarno)

Circles [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Nikola Rakocevic
interview: Srdan Golubovic
film profile] - Srdan Golubovic (DE/FR/HR/RS/SI)

Class Enemy [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Rok Biček
interview: Rok Bicek
interview: Rok Bicek
film profile] - Rok Biček (SI)

The Good Life [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jean Denizot
film profile] - Jean Denizot (FR - Label Europa Cinemas at the Venice Days)

Ida [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Pawel Pawlikowski
interview: Pawel Pawlikowski
film profile] - Pawel Pawlikowski (PL)

Luton [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Michalis Konstantatos (GR/DE)

Miss Violence [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Alexandros Avranas
film profile] - Alexandros Avranas (GR)

The Notebook [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Janos Szász
film profile] - János Szász (HU/DE/FR/AT – Label Europa Cinemas in Karlovy Vary)

Oktober, November [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Götz Spielmann (AT)

The Resurrection of a Bastard [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Guidovan Driel
film profile] - Guido Van Driel (NL/BE)

Sacro GRA [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Gianfranco Rosi
film profile] - Gianfranco Rosi (IT/FR)

Selfish Giant [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Clio Barnard
interview: Clio Barnard
film profile] - Clio Barnard (UK - Label Europa Cinemas at the Directors’ Fortnight)

Still Life [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Uberto Pasolini
film profile] - Uberto Pasolini (UK/IT)

A Story of Children and Film [+see also:
trailer
film profile] - Mark Cousins (UK)

Two Lives [+see also:
trailer
film profile] - Georg Maas (DE/NO)

Violette [+see also:
trailer
film profile] - Martin Provost (FR/BE)

(Translated from French)