Find out who are the dynamic, inspiring executives who will be driving the sector forward.

Screen started highlighting the Future Leaders in our Cannes issue two years ago, when we spotlighted emerging sales and acquisitions executives. Last year, we looked at the rising producers. For 2014, we’re back spotlighting sales and distribution; it’s a sign of the industry’s vitality that there were hundreds of possible candidates that have proven themselves as ‘ones to watch’ since our previous look two years ago.

For this class of Future Leaders, we tried to introduce executives at a stage when they may be slightly less well known to the wider industry; they are not totally new to the sector and do have decision-making power, but are not yet in the top positions. So these are not generally the vice-presidents or CEOs unless they have split off into running their own boutique companies.

The fast-changing worlds of sales and distribution will face enormous challenges in the coming years — from the rise of digital platforms to shrinking TV deals to a crowded release landscape. It’s good to meet those dynamic, inspiring future leaders who will be driving the sector in exciting times ahead. And we look forward to toasting them in Cannes at a reception in association with Cannes Marché’s Producers Network.

The 2014 Future Leaders are:

  • Kristians Alhimionoks, international sales and distribution manager, Platforma Film (Lat)
  • Sean Berney, manager of acquisitions, Sundance Selects/IFC Films/IFC Midnight (US
  • Vicki Brown, international sales manager, Altitude Film Sales (UK)
  • Alexandra Burke, sales manager, LevelK (Den)
  • Andreas Degerhammar, distribution manager, TriArt Film (Swe)
  • Valeria Dobrolyubova, sales manager, Bazelevs (Rus)
  • Gary Farkas, international sales executive, Wild Bunch (Fr)
  • Jennifer Fattell, international sales manager, Protagonist Pictures (UK)
  • Nathan Fischer, international sales and acquisition agent, Other Angle (Fr)
  • Chiara Gelardin, director of international sales, HanWay Films (UK)
  • Silje Glimsdal, sales manager, TrustNordisk (Den)
  • Talia Goldman, international sales manager, IM Global (US)
  • Caroline Habib, manager of acquisitions and broadcast sales, Mongrel Media (Can)
  • Oli Harbottle, head of distribution, Dogwoof (UK)
  • Rouzie Hassanova, vice president, international licensing and distribution, Mister Smith Entertainment (UK)
  • Moritz Hemminger, acquisition and sales director, ARRI World Sales (Ger)
  • Patrick Howson, sales and acquisition executive, Bankside Films (UK)
  • Clémentine Hugot, international sales executive, Bac Films (Fr)
  • Nathalie Jeung, international sales, Le Pacte (Fr)
  • Rachel Joo, sales manager, M-line Distribution (S Kor)
  • Natalie Kampelmacher, director, sales, Seville International (Can)
  • Mette-Marie Katz, manager of sales, XYZ Films (US)
  • Emico Kawai, international sales, Nikkatsu Corporation (Japan)
  • Justin Kim, director of international sales for Americas and Europe, CJ Entertainment (S Kor)
  • Rasmus Krogh, acquisition manager, Nordisk Film (Den)
  • Christina Kubacki, manager, acquisitions, Entertainment One (Can)
  • Alex Lafuente, CEO, Betta Pictures (Sp)
  • Josie Liang, manager of acquisitions, Focus Features (US)
  • Celine Lin, international distribution director, Wanda Media (China)
  • Ben Luxford, head of distribution, Koch Media UK (UK)
  • Akshay Mehta, director, international sales and distribution, Exclusive Media (US)
  • Jan Naszewski, CEO, New Europe Film Sales (Pol)
  • Guillermina Ortega, sales executive, Imagina (Sp)
  • Florencia Gasparini Rey, international sales executive, FilmSharks International (Arg)
  • Tania Sarra, director of international sales, Carnaby International (UK)
  • Tobias Alexander Seiffert, vice president international acquisition and (co) productions/director sales, Senator Entertainment (Ger)
  • Miyuki Takamatsu, CEO, international sales, Free Stone Productions (Japan)
  • Felipe Tewes, head of Latin America VOD, Under The Milky Way (US)
  • Felix Tsang, acquisitions manager, Golden Scene (HK)
  • Maite Villarino, licensing and marketing executive, Embankment Films (UK)
  • John Von Thaden, director of acquisitions, Magnolia Pictures/Magnet Releasing (US)

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