Ring out the old, ring in the new - Screen's review of 2009

OLIVIER AKNIN, FINANCIER, BACKUP FILMS, FRANCE

Favourite film 

Slumdog Millionaire is the epitome par excellence of a concept film and its public and critical success shows that we can bring everyone together around a strong story that has a good marketing position despite the language the film is in. When has there been the French equivalent? Nothing as big since Amelie which had the same qualities…

Biggest news story

The successive bankruptcies of distribution companies in Japan which shows that a concentration towards blockbusters is going to accelerate to the detriment of auteur films - just as one needs the other in order to bring new talent to the fore. The US groups that had specialty divisions which preferred to stop incurring costs before the gulf widened only moves the phenomenon forward.

Changes in store for 2010

More bankruptcies (this is going to happen quickly in France) and the impoverishment of the subsidiary before demand kicks back in. But it’s too early for that; we’re in the slump.

FARUK ALATAN, HEAD OF ACQUISITIONS, MEDUSA FILMS, ITALY

Favourite film

It was definitely My Bloody Valentine 3D, it was the opening of the 3D season [here] and we released it on 125 3D cinemas and made more than $8.6m (€ 6m). It was a surprise nobody expected. Everyone said, “don’t buy 3D films” but that film has helped the growth of 3D screens in Italy.  One small picture started it all. As far as international, it’s the beginning of the era of 3Ds – Ice Age: Dawn OF The Dinosaurs was phenomenal at making money. It’s fantastic and a very well done picture. It was a pleasure to screen it and I saw it twice, I think 3D is going to be a big, big, big deal. Everyone is investing money. People really want to go see 3D films.

In terms of Italian films, Baaria was my favourite because we were so much in love with it and carried it for a couple of years and it has been nominated for a Golden Globe.

Biggest news story

Everybody is talking about Avatar,  how it was done, and the cost and everyone is expecting something like another Titanic and about bringing money to the market. The other issue is that of the mini-major crisis – Miramax and Paramount Vantage – some are changing hands and others are slowing down, we are all waiting to see what will happen to [that part of] the industry.

Changes in store for 2010

3D will very much hit us in Italy – there is no way we cannot develop it – they are going to spend lots of money on it and it merits that. As for the financial crisis – [it has] already affected movie making – you don’t see $ 40m-50m pictures. Some studios can still afford [to make ] $100m films but usually there are many in the $20m range. [Looking ahead] there will be a balance. The big actors and names will realise they won’t be able to work anymore with those numbers. Lets see what this new Universal is going to do, and what Comcast will bring to the market. MGM is up for sale and Sony is changing. Everyone is sitting tight and waiting to see what is coming from these changes.

HUSSAIN AMARSHI, DISTRIBUTOR,  MONGREL MEDIA, CANADA

Favourite film:  

The White Ribbon by Michael Haneke is my absolute favourite film of the year.  The scope of the film, the incredible tension that Haneke creates and the absolutely beautiful black and white images make this one the most compelling and important film of this year.  It is also a film that people will be seeing 50 years from now. It is simply a masterpiece.

Biggest news story

The biggest news is the incredible growth in and record-breaking box office worldwide. Granted, arthouse and independent films have not been the beneficiaries of the audience bums- in- the- seats but the fact that people are going in droves to see movies can only be good news for us in the years to come.  

Changes in store for 2010

In Canada I see the growth of the alternative and new distribution channels; I would to believe that the healthy theatre sector in Canada will see increased digitization of the screens which will be a good thing; and I do see more consolidation in the distribution sector as the economy emerges out of the recession.

CAMERON BAILEY, CO-DIRECTOR, TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Favourite film

Nobody who sees several hundred films a year could give you just one. Right now I’m rooting for both Up In The Air and Precious in the year-end awards. American movies aren’t always allowed the privilege of aesthetic invention AND moral reckoning; these two had both. And one more: Fatih Akin’s Soul Kitchen. I just had a ball watching it, and I think he’s one of the most consistently interesting filmmakers working.

Biggest news story

Slumdog wins everything (after winning its very first prize at Toronto). That film was a game-changer: starless, unheralded and globally appealing. More, please.

Changes in store for 2010

Distributors continue to try to crack the on-demand riddle. Filmmakers continue to opt out of traditional distribution. Viewers continue to find films in their own ways, ignoring all the hand-wringing.

TIM BEVAN, CO-CHAIRMAN WORKING TITLE FILMS AND CHAIRMAN, UK FILM COUNCIL

Favourite film

District 9. In a thin year both commercially and artistically District 9 shines for its originality, innovation and the fact that is was done on a budget.

Biggest news story 

The collapse of the DVD market, meaning that studios have to work harder than ever to find new business models, led by Disney and, I suspect, Universal’s new owners Comcast.

Changes are in store for 2010

Lots!!

KEVIN CHANG, PRODUCER AND ASIA PACIFIC PRODUCERS NETWORK (APPN) SECRETARY GENERAL

Favourite film

I liked Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds and District 9 which Peter Jackson produced. There are certain kinds of films that the Korean industry has yet to make into our own and I especially liked that sci-fi films are invigorating the industry to rise to the challenge. We’re working towards the technology, financing capabilities, and circumstances to do co-productions and make such films ourselves, too.

Biggest news story

At the [Korean]  box office, Haeundae taking over 10 million admissions was really a big event and significant for the industry. I was personally involved in the film, too, so it was of course gratifying and enjoyable on that plane as well.

Changes in store for 2010

International co-productions [with Korea]  will slowly but steadily start come to life and into the mainstream. The Korean market is only so big, while the Asian market is on the rise, so there will be earnest discussions about co-production. Hollywood also seems to be taking on interest in Asian films so it will be interesting to see how Korea and Asia position themselves.

YOLANDA DEL VAL, HEAD OF ACQUISITIONS, DEAPLANETA, SPAIN

Favourite film 

It would have to be Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire for being surprisingly different. We, the buyers, are tired of reading and watching the same kinds of movies with different actors. I actually fell in love with the script for Slumdog before watching it and knew it was going to be something special, although I didn’t expect it to make quite as much money as it did.

Biggest news story 

The increase in film deals at AFM. Everyone reported that there were less buyers and sellers this year, but there were still some key pick ups, including from Spain. The market proved that there is light at the end of the crisis tunnel and that business will pick up again gradually, although everyone is being more selective.

Changes in store for 2010

Further to what I said in the previous question I believe that we will see some sales agents and distributors struggle and maybe even fold next year and in 2011. There were some stalls at AFM which never saw any business throughout the entire market, there is no way they can survive.

JYOTI DESHPANDE (pictured), COO & COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, EROS INTERNATIONAL

Favourite film

Love Aaj Kal, a fabulous love story told by Imtiaz Ali in his inimitable style. This is film is special as I feel no one could have told the story better than Imtiaz. And no one could have played the parts better than Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Giselli Monteiro. This was our first film with Illuminati Films Love Aaj Kal was a huge box office success in India and internationally.

Biggest news story

It has to be the multiplex stand-off. It all started with our film Aa Dekhen Zara getting caught in the crossfire between the multiplexes and the producers/distributors. The film got boycotted by all national multiplex chains and had to play only on single screens so in a strange way it was the film that actually fuelled the stand-off without which it would have been a theoretical concept.

Changes in store for 2010

The beginning of ‘consolidation’. It will bring discipline, transparency and structure. [Indian] studios will be choosy, talent will be choosy and so will the audiences. In boom time you saw more short term opportunistic deals. Now we will see stickier stronger alliances. As they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

KIM DONG-HO, FESTIVAL CO-DIRECTOR, PUSAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, SOUTH KOREA

Favourite film

I liked Bong Joon-ho’s Mother best. It has an extraordinary innate artistic value and Kim Hye-ja’s acting was excellent, too. Of course, across the years I had seen her mostly in TV dramas and in Kim Soo-yong’s film Late Fall [which was released in 1982], but again she gave a superior performance in Mother.

Biggest news story  

In the midst of the slump in Korean films, the news that Haeundae took more than 10 million admissions [in Korea] and, that, at the same time on the other side of the spectrum, independent films like Old Partner and Breathless did very well, too. These two issues together this year were the biggest news story for me, because it’s breathing life and energy back into what was a stagnating market.

Changes in store for 2010

2010 will be a year in which we will be able to watch with keen interest as actresses take centre stage in Korea. Yoon Jung-hee has come back to star in Lee Chang-dong’s film, and Jeon Do-yeon is starring in Im Sang-soo’s remake of The Housemaid. There is also the recent Berlinale selection The Actresses, directed by E J-yong, with its ensemble cast of actresses. Also, I think 2010 will be the year the Korean film industry gets out of its long-time slump. As for me, I’m thinking of making next year’s edition of PIFF my last.

LEONARD GLOWINSKI, HEAD OF FRENCH AND EUROPEAN CO-PRODUCTIONS AND ACQUISITIONS, STUDIOCANAL, FRANCE

Favourite film

Up for its script and 3D in a tie with The Hangover – it’s rare to find a typical US comedy without big stars that travels so well!

Biggest news story

Avatar for its advances in 3D

Changes in store for 2010

2010 will be complicated and there is a risk of having to manage the crisis in a delayed manner. Projects will be abandoned, there won’t be projects being written. It’ll be a year of transition with several questions: From an economic standpoint, does the European model allow us to take the place of US films? Will new media finally enable us to bring new economic models for film production up to speed? Will new entrants like Abu Dhabi and India be here to stay?

BENJAMIN HERRMANN, PRODUCER/DISTRIBUTOR,  MAJESTIC FILM. GERMANY 

Favourite film

The Hangover. For me it was the perfect comedy. 

Biggest news story

This was John Rabe [co-produced by Herrmann] winning the German Film Award. The fantastic conclusion to a great experience.

Changes in store for 2010

Cinema will remain strong, particularly the local films. The financing [of films] will become more difficult because of too small TV participation or sales revenues. VOD will continue to take away DVD’s livelihood and hopefully the fall in prices will help to compensate for this at least in part.

STEVE HOBAN, PRODUCER, COPPERHEART ENTERTAINMENT, CANADA  

Favourite film:

Taken, not for creative reasons, but because it showed that a mid-budget, foreign-made English-language movie without, what the studios would consider, a bankable star could become a significant US box office success.  Unlike the lightening strike of a Paranormal Activity, a film like Taken is a repeatable business model.

Biggest news story
A good news/bad news story for the independent producer.  The good: we didn’t have to adjust to the curtailing of massive amounts of “stupid money” as did the US studios (because we never got any of it in the first place).  The bad: it was just as hard to independently finance movies in 2009 as it was in any other year that I can recall.  Harder?  Maybe.  But when something is a herculean task, a little harder is still herculean.

Changes in store for 2010

2010 will see the growth of independently financed, mid-range budget movies.  These movies, largely internationally financed and produced for budgets between $20m to $40m, will become the most viable film product across multiple territories and, therefore, will be the biggest opportunity for many independent producers in the coming decade.
 

BJØRN HOENVOLL, DISTRIBUTOR, NORDISK FILMDISTRIBUSJON, NORWAY

Favourite film

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. It may be unfair to choose one of our own releases, but still – Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy was a best-seller, expectations for the film were high, and it delivered in full. Noomi Rapace in the lead was exactly as I had imagined [the character of Lizbeth Salander].

Biggest news story

The celluloid print has existed for more than 100 years, but in Norway it will be gone in 2011: Norway will become the first country in the world where all cinemas are digitised. It is close to a revolution in our business.

Changes in store for 2010  

Digitisation will continue. Norwegian admissions, approximately 12 million this year, will be unchanged, but will increase in 2011 when all cinemas can launch the same film simultaneously. 3D will definitely make a break as many theatres are currently acquiring silver screens. On the video side, rentals will disappear and be replaced by VOD. DVD sales will be reduced, while Blueray will grow, but prices will go down, so the turnover will be lower.

ELIZABETH KARLSEN, PRODUCER, NUMBER 9 FILMS, UK

Favourite film
My favourite was A Prophet. [Jaques Audiard] is a brilliant film-maker, who manages to combine raw violence with poetry and emotion.

Biggest news story

The end of Miramax, on both a personal and professional level. When I started out in New York Miramax was the place I turned, and I worked with them on The Crying Game and Little Voice.

Changes are in store for 2010

The biggest challenge to the industry next year is the threat of piracy. The problem is a lot of people don’t perceive it as a crime, and it’s not just teenagers but also grown ups.  If it carries on, how are we going to keep financing all these wonderful independent films?  It’s really worrying, but it’s great that the [UK] Film Council are putting resources into tackling it.

VINCENT MARAVAL, PRODUCER, SALES AGENT, DISTRIBUTOR, WILD BUNCH, FRANCE

Favourite film

Antichrist because it dares to play with modern aesthetics by revisiting a genre and binding it to its roots by disrupting the comfort of the audience in order to make them investigate and discover their intimate fears. Antichrist, after years of the devaluation of genre films, enables us to once again find the spirit of the first films of Cronenberg, Craven or Carpenter where we didn’t need to laugh at the evisceration of high school girls in order to see horror.

Biggest news story

For me,  David Linde’s departure from Universal - and God knows I could explode at him each time a film I was after ended up at Focus. But still, his leaving sounds the death knell of cinematic ambition on the part of the studios and acts as a sort of funeral for the last two decades which, following the success of Miramax, saw the studios taking a risk by financing adult and ambitious films. Linde’s leaving, more so than [Paramount Film Group president John and former Vantage chief] Lesher, even though he was part of the same movement, leaves us expecting a decade of formatted products: sequels, prequels and remakes and a conservatism that will affect an entire generation of filmmakers in their own ambition.

Of course, there will be a see-saw effect that will correct things when conservatism ends up boring and annoying everyone but this time, maybe we’ll have lost a generation of cinephiles who will have turned towards other art forms. Or maybe we’ll just have to give up the idea of making people better via film in favor of the brainwashing that is TV.

In all of that, if I could just add a second bit of news that is more hopeful it would be the success of Inglourious Basterds which proves that 20 years later, if there is only one man left, it’s still the same guy - dead and buried at least two times. Harvey Weinstein alone carries the flag of independence and audacity.

Changes in store for 2010

They’re not very positive. There will be a rarification of ambitious, independent projects; there will be fear, formatting and conservatism but we  know that these are the conditions that make for recreating challenges, energy and which give birth to something strong…but that’ll be for later on.

JENS MEURER, PRODUCER, EGOLI TOSSELL FILM, GERMANY

Favourite film 

Inglourious Basterds. A German masterpiece, beautifully and wisely made by an American director with outstanding acting, especially by Christoph Waltz, but also many others (August Diehl, Eli Roth, Til Schweiger). Nicely inspired by a true story.

Biggest news story   

Good news came with new possibilities such as the two major film financing programmes in the German state of “Sexy-Anhalt” as Helen Mirren recently called  Saxony Anhalt. We recently  filmed  The Last Station, Black Death and Olivier Assayas’  Carlos The Jackal [in the state].  More than $72m (€ 50m) is on offer in Saxony-Anhalt.  The bad news was the demise of so many distributors in the US.

Changes in store for 2010

Fewer, bigger, better films.

DENIS PEDREGOSA, HEAD OF PRODUCTIONS, KANZAMAN FILMS, SPAIN

Favourite film

Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino was brilliant. Clint’s character reminded me of Dirty Harry, but now with self control. I actually didn’t know what the film was about at first, I assumed it was something to do with the Gran Torino car, but then when I watched it I was hugely impressed by the story of him paying back his debt and the culture clash with his neighbours. The films I really enjoy are the ones I can remember everything about as if it was yesterday, and Gran Torino is certainly one of those.

Biggest news story

The new Spanish film law has been the hot talking point of the last few months sparking debate, discussions and in some cases arguments from different sectors of the industry. Potentially it can be extremely beneficial for producers as the key national film fund is supposed to double to $2.9m (€ 2m)  from $1.4m (€ 1m). At the moment, though, we’re playing the waiting game as it passes through the EU. On a more global level, Fox relocating to Paris for their home entertainment division was a major story, and highlights the plight of the studios.

Changes in store for 2010

We’ll see a streamlining of the US studios and their power diminishing. They’re already closing down their specialty labels and so it will be interesting to see how they cope with tough times in the coming months. There are a lot of projects which they originally greenlit which are being put back, or they’re not doing, or selling them to someone else. There will be more smaller independent films made with huge actors attached next year, which is a pattern we’re seeing already.

ROBERTO PROIA, HEAD OF THEATRICAL DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING, MOVIEMAX, ITALY

Favourite film

Of the Italian films, I loved Ex by Fausto Brizzi. It was funny, it was tender, it shows that when you have a great cast, a great idea and direction and production values are up that Italians can compete with the films by Working Title (I am thinking of titles like Love, Actually). As far as international releases Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs was my favourite. It was huge here [it grossed about € 30m] and surpassed the second one. It made me laugh it was imaginative and inventive. 3D was an added element, but it would have been great anyways. Of the independents, I liked Bruno very much.

Biggest news story

Paranormal Activity is amazing because it was so well thought out. It was very well planned with a manipulative campaign. That is not so easy now that we are very jaded and have seen everything. To come up with something new and fresh, I have to say “hats off” to whoever has devised the campaign because it is not easy and the campaign was mapped out in a way that they created a hunger for this film. The marketing plan will be one to study. But for the territories that bought the film they have a major challenge. The potential of the film is there but it needs to be exploited fully – and some territories won’t be able to do that. It is a major opportunity to show how good you are in marketing. In Spain it made around  $2.9m (€ 2m)  and Germany as well – its not a sure-fire hit. [Territories] will have to work on it and find the right hook.

Changes in store for 2010

Changes will be widespread due to the massive growth in 3D especially in Italy where 3D screens are growing like mushrooms. We will see much more when Avatar is released on Jan 15, 2010. In regards to our business, we are already having a hard time locking a date for our 3D film (Call Of The Wild, 3D) [because there are many 3D films]. Looking ahead, I am looking forward to seeing [Tim Burton’s]  Alice In Wonderland.

Regarding the financial crisis,  I can only see what happens at the markets and what products are put out there. That gives us a pretty good idea of what is happening. At the last two or three markets, there were fewer big- budget films.  I am expecting the end of 2010, towards the next AFM to [offer a return] to more big- budget films than before. Everybody is down-sizing; look at New Line and Paramount Vantage– it’s not good for independents but I am expecting that in 2010 things will look better, at least lets hope so.

SIDDHARTH ROY KAPUR (pictured), CEO, UTV MOTION PICTURES, INDIA

Favourite film

Dev.D. I loved the way a story known to every member of the cinema-going audience in India, and one which has been told so many times in the past, was contemporized to make it relevant and acceptable to an entire new generation. And this was done without taking anything away from the basic ethos and sentiment in the story. The writing and direction was exceptional, the acting top-notch, the production design was able to transport you into the world of these characters, and the soundtrack was one of the best of this decade. A film we are really proud to be associated with.

Biggest news story

The stand-off between Indian producers-distributors and multiplexes was the one story that dominated headlines in India this year. It also had direct repercussions on the overall volume of theatrical business that the Hindi film industry has done in 2009, with releases getting bunched up and cannibalizing significantly on each other throughout the year.

Changes in store for 2010

I have a very positive sense overall on the way things are slated to go for the industry next year. On the creative end, a focus from filmmakers and studios on getting the script right and telling fresh stories differently, an infusion of new talent behind and in front of the camera, more franchises and genre-driven movies being developed, not necessarily with a big star cast but with a big idea.

On the revenue side, further growth from newer revenue streams, increased digitization of cinemas helping to increase the penetration of cinemas across the country and reducing the cost per print, newer markets opening up for our movies overseas, merchandising and licensing becoming another viable route to generate higher revenues and market the film and  more efforts to curb piracy – physical and online – by an industry wide initiative.

On the cost side, lower production costs including lower artist fees, in order to bring more economic sense to the business of movie making and, lower and more innovative ways of marketing films, by cutting out the waste and focusing single- mindedly on the core target audience for each film.

JANE SCOTT (pictured), PRODUCER, MAO’S LAST DANCER, AUSTRALIA

Favourite film

Inglourious Basterds. It’s classic Tarantino: challenging us with originality, violence, a compelling story of revenge and not a dull moment. He adds a confronting, curiously-spelt title. Loved it. We’re a bloodthirsty lot.

Biggest news story 

An inglourious basterd of another kind: Bernie Madoff. When Madoff went to trial in March we knew that Hollywood had not escaped the biggest inglourious Ponzi scheme ever revealed.  Household names included Spielberg, Katzenberg, Malkovich, Bacon and went beyond to the Royal Bank of Scotland (investing in Pinewood) and the Engelbardt family and its extensive film investments …   Sounds like it could be another Tarantino film, starring Spielberg, Katzenberg, Malkovich, Bacon, et al.

There was also the demise of Miramax, Paramount Vantage, Warner Independent. Early on no-one would have believed that Weinstein’s showcase Miramax could fail but it did this year when Disney cast it adrift in October.  We were shocked to see those other two specialty labels Paramount Vantage and Warner Independent suffer the same fate.  Inglourious basterds all… 

Changes in store for 2010

Worldwide, the film industry is in an inglorious state: big challenges with money hard to find and distributors who’ve lost their nerve. We’ve got to take the lead from Tarantino and make films that every basterd wants!

BEATRIZ SETUAIN, HEAD OF SALES, IMAGINA, SPAIN

Favourite film 

I really enjoyed Javier Ruiz Caldera’s comedy Spanish Movie. It was a guilty pleasure. Plus we have been involved in so many of the films that they parody in this movie so it was quite a personal, but hysterical, experience for me. It was about time that they made such a movie here in Spain.

Biggest news story

Three Spanish movies (Broken Embraces, Agora, Map Of The Sounds Of Tokyo) in official selection at Cannes this year, which is something the Spanish film industry can be proud of. In the past there have been Spanish films at the festival, but never so many in such an important section. For most of Europe to get even one film in official selection is an achievement so to have three was incredible.

Changes in store for 2010

Without a doubt the new Spanish film law is going to have a huge impact not just in Spain, but also for the international market as co-producers will be able to access more funding, potentially. Whether the government can please all parties with its rule changes is another matter. The other key talking point and issue to tackle will be piracy.

OLGA SINELSHCHIKOVA, VICE PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL, RUSSIAN WORLD STUDIOS

Favourite film

Among Russian releases, my favourite is Hipsters by Valeriy Todorovsky, the most colourful, vivid and energetic production of the year. Among international releases, Inglourious Basterds for its script, flamboyant characters, perfect cast and overall cinematic appeal. Christoph Waltz has put his character into life so brilliantly that the audience starts to hate him from his first appearance on screen.

Biggest news story

Walt Disney has finished The Book Of Masters, an original project for a Russian-speaking audience with Russian talent and specifics. On December 31, Universal will release Black Lighting, the first Russian super-hero story. And Sony continued to develop its Russian production slate, including The Best Movie 2 and The FirstLove.

Changes in store for 2010?

A new Russian law will introduce an electronic system for collecting sales and admission data, aimed at making the market more transparent for producers. And government support will start going directly to production companies and studios, who will need to meet production quotas and guarantee a return on the government’s investment.

CLARE STEWART, DIRECTOR, SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL, AUSTRALIA

Favourite film

If I was being sportingly patriotic I would claim Samson & Delilah or Bright Star, but my 2009 honours must go to I Am Love. I heart Luca Guadagnino and principal accomplice Tilda Swinton. Together they rush headlong into the crumbling empire that is classical melodrama, flaunt their shared awareness of Luchino Visconti’s compositional splendour and Douglas Sirk’s bristling subtexta, and create a surprisingly contemporary film that breathes colour back into my favourite genre.

Biggest news story

The sheer volume and quality of Australian films this year.  About 40 were theatrically released in Oz, 17 were selected for Toronto, swiftly followed by a record number of Australian docs at IDFA and to the great delight of Sydney Film Festival, all three of our winners in the Dendy Awards for Australian short films have been shortlisted for the Oscars (The Cat Piano, The Ground Beneath and Miracle Fish).

Changes in store for 2010

If we want to stay commercially and culturally relevant it is not so much that we need to identify the external changes that will impact the industry because we know about them already — I’ll go bonkers if I attend another talk show about social networking, digital distribution and/or piracy – but it is vital to establish an industry-wide agenda for how to generate real change in the way we do business. There are many possible starting points but, in my opinion, it should always be about reaching the audience. The environment and channels that inform consumer choice and behaviour are radically changed yet most of us are simply adjusting campaigns or adding to the tried and no longer true methods of reaching audiences.

I’d like to think the next big change is one that we create. It shouldn’t be a fret-fest about product but a savvy, bold rethink of the structures underpinning marketing, distribution and exhibition (which includes film festivals too). We’re being too damn slow about it.

PATRICE THEROUX, DISTRIBUTOR, E1 FILMED ENTERTAINMENT, CANADA

Favourite film

Obviously The Twilight Saga: New Moon, which E1 distributed in both the UK and Canada. We also handled the merchandising for the film in the UK and released the score through our E1 Music label. Definitely my favourite film of the year!!! But from a pure movie experience point of view: Inglourious Basterds was an unexpected pleasure. It’s good to see Tarantino at the top of his game once more. An Education because we witness a star in the making with Carey Mulligan’s performance, and The Hurt Locker for its raw emotions. I would also definitely leave a spot for Avatar, which I haven’t seen yet.

Biggest news story

The box office growth in North America. It’s up to 6% to date! Who would have predicted this! It speaks to the enduring pleasure of movie-going: despite the many more platforms where film and television programs are available people still like going to the cinema. The arrival of 3D and Digital 3D have also created this burst in the movie going experience.

Changes in store for 2010

A rapid rise of PPV/VOD/digital offering of film and television programmes. When we look at our data, we notice a tremendous growth in this area. Viewers want more control over when they watch their film and television selections. This will have a profound impact on our business as the new decade progresses.

PAUL WIEGARD, DISTRIBUTOR, MADMAN ENTERTAINMENT, AUSTRALIA

Favourite film  

Sin Nombre was a harrowing immigration tale that’s also sensitive and feels deeply authentic. Also, A Prophet is a probing psychological study of a rootless young man. Both took me on a journey and were fresh filmmaking. Both are brilliantly directed gangster films.

Biggest news story  

On August 22 The Weekend Australia, a national broadsheet newspaper, dedicated its front page to detailing the issues presented by [anti-whaling] film The Cove. The following day, Broome Shire Council in Western Australia severed long standing ties with Japanese sister city Taiji over the slaughtering of dolphins and the Japanese media took serious notice.

Changes in store for 2010

None. Avatar will remain on every screen at every location for the entire 2010. Joke. Seriously, all the changes will happen outside the established theatrical windows in Australia and New Zealand. Death of the TV as we know it with internet- enabled televisions arriving in the second half of 2010, finally delivering a material kick along for digital distribution.

YOSHI YATABE, PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR, TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, JAPAN

Favourite film:

Gran Torino.  I was knocked out by its simplicity and profoundness.

Biggest news story:

The bankruptcies of medium-size Japanese distribution companies. It’s caused considerable damage for the distribution of ‘arthouse’ films in Japan.

Changes in store for 2010

The Japanese market for arthouse films will keep shrinking and will hit bottom by the end of year 2010.

SØREN STÆRMOSE, PRODUCER, YELLOW BIRD SWEDEN

Favourite film of the year:

I am both a movie and TV producer so this year it is not a film, but a TV series – HBO’s In Treatment, starring Gabriel Byrne as psychotherapist, Dr. Paul Weston. It has outstanding scriptwriters and acting.

Biggest news story

The adaptation of Stieg Larssons books is about the absurd abuse of women on three levels - in the family (book one), economically (book two) and politically/structurally (book three). The saddest news story in Sweden was about the level of crime among policemen and the violence they commit towards women. It is scary to imagine that at these policemen are also involved in investigating crimes against women.

Changes in store for 2010

There is an ongoing battle between the way audiences consume films and TV and the scheduling-releasing plans and financing conditions from our side. I think we may have to find new business models so whichever platform a consumers chooses, they feel they are walking up the red carpet.

Interviews by Martin Blaney, Sarah Cooper, Chris Evans, Sandy George, Jason Gray, Sheri Jennings,  Jorn Rossing Jensen, Udita Jhunjhunwala, Jeremy Kay, Jean Noh, Theodore Schwinke, Denis Seguin, Nancy Tartaglione,