The Susan Wendt head of sales at TrustNordisk, Denmark was elected as the new president of Europa International taking over from Match Factory helmer Michael Weber. FNE spoke to Wendt in Athens in an exclusive interview for FNE TV.
During its general assembly, Europa International members had the opportunity to discuss with Xavier Troussard (Head of MEDIA program) the role of the sales agents within Creative Europe and the new MEDIA programme; and with Susanne Davis (European Film Promotion) the future of the film sales support (FSS).
One of the most important projects presented during the event was the first year of “Distribution 2.0”, The Match Factory project launched last year to explore new means in marketing and distribution of international feature films, through the use of social networks, viral marketing, digital distribution, day and date releases and flexible programming structures.
Among the distributors that have partnered with the new Distribution 2.0 effort are Germany’s Pandora Film, Mexico’s Canana, Hungary’s Cinefil, Taiwan’s Joint Entertainment and the United States’ Strand Releasing. German tech company Europe’s Finest, Polish distributor Alambique, Russia’s Carmen Film and Dutch group Contact film. Distribution 2.0 coordinated the European VOD releast of Postcards from the Zoo by Indonesian director Edwin. Reelport has set up on online platform for Distribution 2.0 for the exchange of promotional materials and distribution information for upcoming releases. The project is funded by MEDIA Mundus.
The event took place concurrently with the Europa Cinemas conference 21-24 November as both sales agents and exhibitors teamed up to tackle common problems and share ideas.
New presidency and new board for Europa International
Europa International’s new board has been elected.
President: Susan Wendt (TrustNordisk)
Vice presidents: Nelleke Driessen (Fortissimo Fills),
François Yon (Films Distribution)
Sasha Wieser (EastWest Filmsdistribution)
Deputies: Jenny Walendy (The Match Factory),
Jean-Christophe Simon (Films Boutique)
Jan Nazsewski (New Europe Film Sales).
Treasurer: Daniela Elstner (Doc & Film Intl)
Europa International was founded in 2011, and it is really impressive what has been achieved within these few years regarding MEDIA, the cooperation and dialogue with Europa Distribution and Europa Cinemas and not to speak of our annual conference. This is due to a very targeted work and enthusiasm of the board lead by Michael Weber, backed by our Managing Director Daphné Kapfer.
