Europa Distribution's fifth annual conference to be held in Lyon

The Festival Lumiere, headed by Thierry Fremaux [pictured], will now host Europa Distribution’s fifth-annual conference from Oct 6-9 in Lyon.

The EU’s MEDIA Programme will support the conference, which will address issues including digital change and new business models.

Régine Vial, President of Europa Distribution, said: “It seems a natural choice to work with the Institut Lumière, a place of reminiscence and cinephilia. All distributors’ members of our network came to this business because of their passion for films, films from yesterday, today and tomorrow. Moreover, it is an honor for Europa Distribution to be hosted by Thierry Frémaux whose Cannes selection is at the heart of our members’ line-ups: 80% of the films selected in competition in Cannes are released by independent distributors.”

Betrand Tavernier, President of the Institut Lumière, added: “To welcome Europa Distribution is to acknowledge the work and energy of those who advocate and fight for the circulation of independent cinema in Europe. It is also, for a young festival like the Festival Lumière which seeks to promote the reconciliation of past and present, about welcoming professionals who believe that the valuation of repertoire films, the restoration of heritage movies and the training of audiences guarantee the future of cinema in its whole.”   

Europa Distribution was founded in 2006 and now represents 110 independent distributors in 26 countries.