Istanbul Report

The Istanbul Core ThinkTank (April 17-18, 2008) was structured across three main sessions designed to provide an overview of current market conditions, an appraisal of how the film market may develop (with special emphasis on Video on Demand), and finally to address potential policy suggestions.

The Reports are a collection of comments taken from the 2 day conversation. At no point during the meeting was consensus a priority and this is reflected in these reports where seemingly contradictory statements can be found side by side.

The 2 versions available for download here are the Executive Summary (4 pages) and the full report (19 pages).

Participants: Bob Berney (former CEO at Picturehouse, Newmarket Films and IFC Films), Jeanne Berney (former Director of Public Relations, Film Society of Lincoln Center), Sue Bruce-Smith (Head of Commercial Development, Film 4), Henning Camre (Executive Director, ThinkTank), Martin Dale (Variety, Portugal), Fernando Evole (CEO, Yelmo Cines, Spain), Gustavo Ferrada (Head of Film, TVE), Paul Grindey (Head of Business Affairs, Scripted Content, Film 4), Philippe Kern (MD, KEA European Affairs, Belgium), Philipp Kreuzer (Philipp Kreuzer, Deputy MD, Bavaria Pictures), Alain Modot (VP, Media Consulting Group), Michael Peters (Founder and CEO, Content Republic), Olivier Zegna Rata (Director of External Affairs, Canal+ Group), Michel Reilhac (Executive Director, ARTE France Cinema), Chris Sanger (ThinkTank), Michael Weber (Managing Director/Co-Owner, The Match Factory)

Edited by Martin Dale


Sevilla Report

The Seville ThinkTank (November 7-8, 2008) was structured across four group work sessions. The theme under discussion was film distribution strategies in the context of the new digital value chain.

Key topics covered

• How has the digital environment changed the audience and the industry/audience relationship?

• What are the key drivers in the new market?

• What strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats do European producers and 

distributors face in this new context?

• How can European producers capitalize on their Intellectual Property rights?

• How can film public policy maximize opportunities in the digital age?

• How can a stronger distribution framework be built for the European film industry?

Edited by Martin Dale


Vienna Report

This report describes the organisation and proceedings of the Vienna ThinkTank, 16-18 April 2008. This event was instigated and funded by the Austrian Film Institute (OFI). It was designed by the European ThinkTank on Film and Film Policy, and took place in the New Film Studio of the Film Academy on the campus of the University for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. Some 40 Austrian film professionals took part, along with representatives of the film funding bodies, Austrian television (ORF), government, Film Academy faculty and students, as well as invitees from Belgium, Denmark and the United States. The event was prepared by Henning Camre, assisted by advisors.

Edited by Jonathan Davis


Kraków Report

150 industry leaders from 35 countries, representing the entire film value chain – writers, directors, producers, distributors, exhibitors, broadcasters, decision- and policy-makers – had gathered in Kraków to examine the big issues in European film policy under a shared feeling of urgency.

While the diversity of European film production was saluted, it was established that the diversity had little to show in terms of market penetration across European countries. 

It was established that the conditions under which European cinema was being financed, produced and consumed were facing massive changes. A review of national and European film policies taking into account market and technology changes would be needed to inform policy decisions that in turn would determine whether the changes would be beneficial or at the expense of the specificity and quality of European film.

Edited by Jonathan Davis