This was a special one-day event which focused on local content. Given the new heights reached by the share of local productions in Europe in 2020, the aim of the conference was to look into success stories, opportunities and challenges around a diverse film slate.
The event put the spotlight on four territories - Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland and Norway - and their local success stories of 2020. Asger Flygare Bech-Thomsen (CEO, Nordisk Film Cinemas) looked into the success of the Danish film Druk. Then, Dutch Filmworks talked about their strategy behind distributing the successful title Alles is zoals het zou moeten zijn. Tomasz Jagiello (CEO, Helios) shared insights on two key Polish titles. Finally, Guttorm Petterson (CEO, Film & Kino) covered the successful Norwegian Børning 3.
This Cinema Day also included a high-level panel debate moderated by our very own Laura Houlgatte Abbott (CEO, UNIC) involving industry experts Edna Epelbaum (CEO, Cinevital, Cinepel, Cinemont, Quinnie & President, Swiss Cinema Operators' Association), Christian Bräuer (Managing Director, Yorck – Kino & President, CICAE), Christine Eloy (Managing Director, Europa Distribution), Samuel Bolaños (Director of Marketing & Revenues, Cinépolis Spain, Yelmo Cines). The panel focused on the role of local content in the recovery process and the short to long term trends that were emerging.
During the event, UNIC provided updates on its expert groups. Guillaume Branders (Senior Industry Relations Manager, UNIC) provided an overview on the UNIC Technology Group. Jan Runge (Independent Consultant) updated participants on the UNIC Marketing Group. Oliver Delaney (European Cinema Development Director, The Coca-Cola Company) discussed recent developments within the UNIC/Coca-Cola Retail Group.
In addition, Diana Stratan (Project Manager, UNIC) shared some news related to the UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme and announced that the call for applications for mentors and mentees for the 2021 intake was open.
The day ended with closing remarks by Phil Clapp (CEO, UKCA/President, UNIC) who also mentioned the new dates for CineEurope 2021: 4 -7 October 2021 (CCIB, Barcelona).
Thank you for joining us!