We look at the challenges and the successes faced by those distributors who are members of Europa Distribution with a special series of interviews that offer insights that other distributors of European films can benefit from and a platform for the exchange of ideas.
This month we focus on Croatia with an interview with Denis Boric, Head of Acquisitions at Continental Film (www.continental-film.hr), one of the leading distributors in the region.
Denis Boric told FNE that even though Croatia is a small market, it distributes a higher percentage of European films compared to other countries in region. With independent distribution companies in Croatia competing not just for the audiences but also for films, Continental Film decided to organize a mini festival with advance screenings of the top films in its line-up.
FNE: How does the market in your country differ from other countries? What is specific about the Croatian market? How is independent distribution doing in your market today?
Denis Boric: Croatia is a small market (population is 4.3 million, with total admission in 2011 of 3.3 million; admissions per capita is 0.8). The exhibition market is monopolized; the major exhibitor Blitz – Cinestar (www.blitz-cinestar.hr) has 80% of market, Cineplexx (www.cineplexx.hr) has 14%, and independent cinemas only 6%. Only multiplexes are digitalized. In 2013, 28 independent (arthouse) theatres should be digitalized. This process is co-funded by the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (www.havc.hr). The number of independent European films distributed in Croatian cinemas is constantly increasing, and the situation regarding their distribution will be better when arthouse cinemas will be digitalised.
How competitive is your market for European films (national and non-national)?
There are a few distributors of European films in Croatia and we are all trying to be the one that distributes the new 'hit,' national or domestic. Croatia has more European films distributed during the year compared to other countries in region, due to the bigger number of screens and many film festivals.
What kind of films seem to work well with audiences in your market?
Hollywood is the king in our market, but there's a niche for European titles as well. Talking about European arthouse films, those that work best are the ones from acclaimed directors, winners of biggest festivals with great reviews.
What are the major areas that you focus on? (theatrical/DVD/VOD/TV distribution, production, exhibition)
Distribution is our focus, and we're handling all rights for films we acquire (theatrical, DVD, VoD, TV). We believe that VoD market has the biggest growth potential, so we're putting more and more effort in VoD distribution.
What is your film acquisition policy?
Our acquisition policy is to acquire great films from great directors and winners of biggest festivals at reasonable prices. We have our partner sales agents with whom we work, but we're also absolutely willing to work with everybody.
What films have been your biggest hits?
This year it’s been Shame by Steve McQueen and Amour by Michael Haneke.
What are your upcoming releases and how will you promote them?
For the past few years we've been organizing Filmomanija revue, a kind of mini film festival, where we screen the best of our line-up prior to their official releases. It takes place in Zagreb at the end of September / beginning of October, and after Zagreb it moves to couple of other cinemas throughout the country. This revue serves as great platform for release since it gives these films a lot of free PR and creates word of mouth that helps their release, which happens soon after the revue ends. This year's line-up included: Amour, Holy Motors, The Angels' Share, Cesare deve morire, Tabu, Faust, and Dark Horse, among others, so these film are currently in distribution or will open soon. We promote each film separately depending on what works best for each particular title.
Continental Film is one of the biggest film distributing companies in the region, with offices in Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and with contracts with the following Hollywood companies: Sony and Disney theatrically, and Disney, 20th Century Fox and Warner in home entertainment.
Besides major' films, Continental film is also a leading independent film distributor with numerous European and domestic films distributed throughout the years.
Contact
Continental film
Zavrtnica 17
10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Phone: + 385 1 6194 660
Fax: + 385 1 6194 663
www.continental-film.hr
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
