It’s never been easy for independent distributors and cinemas – and challenges are even greater now post-pandemic and with audience habits moving them away from moviegoing to other kinds of media. Yet, most public funding is still concentrated on support at the start of the value chain -- development and production, with distribution and exhibition not getting the same amount of resources. This session explores how indie distributors and exhibitors in different European territories are finding ways to survive and thrive in a tough climate as well as asking how the ecosystem can better support them in their efforts to reach (new) audiences. These distributors and exhibitors will offer insights into specific challenges in their particular country, and how their businesses are innovating and responding to changing audience habits. The session will also look at recent success stories for these distributors and cinemas and how the wider industry can learn from what’s working well with audiences locally.

With this offer, the EFM Industry Sessions aim to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).