In this conversation, Leslie Vuchot, CEO and founder of the Festival Agency joins the show to discuss her journey in the film industry, the importance of film festivals, and the evolving landscape of film distribution. She shares insights on festival-driven success stories of independent films, the health of festivals, and the agency's new direction in building community around cinemas. Vuchot emphasizes the critical role festivals play in launching new talent and films, and her vision for enhancing the circulation of films in the industry with festivals. Finally, Leslie shares her passion for developing younger audiences and reveals how TFA is doing that in practice through innovative programming.

About Leslie Vuchot

Leslie Vuchot is the founder and the CEO of The Festival Agency, where she leads a team of worldwide bookings managers, festivals strategists and distribution consultants specialized in independent features films -fiction, docs, animated. Since its launch in 2010, TFA has managed and advised the career and international bookings for more than 250 films, in support of sales agents, distributors or filmmakers directly. TFA is running operation with offices in LA and Paris, France.

Jim Fredrick is a trailer editor, studio marketing executive and film professor - and author of the OPENING WEEKEND: AN INSIDER'S LOOK AT MARKETING HOLLYWOOD'S HITS AND FLOPS.    In this conversation, we discuss Jim's career which began in editing trailers and spanned both the studio, independent and vendor sectors. We also hear about Jim's experience in helping launch some of the biggest and most loved films in recent history and hear memorable anecdotes about working with Rob Reiner at Castle Rock Entertainment and his singular experience of travelling to the UK shortly after Stanley Kubrick's death to create the marketing campaign for EYES WIDE SHUT and, going back to his professional roots, we learn what Jim's recipe is for a great trailer.    Jim Fredrick was President of Marketing at Castle Rock Entertainment, Senior Vice President of Creative Advertising at Warner Bros and Executive VP at Sony Screen Gems. He's worked on over 200 advertising campaigns including the HARRY POTTER franchise, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, HAPPY FEET and Stanley Kubrick's EYES WIDE SHUT. He is a Professor of Entertainment Marketing at Chapman University.

 "The film value chain is very disconnected from today's online reality" Ben Johnson, Founder Gruvi

In this episode we are joined by Ben Johson, Founder of the digital media agency, Gruvi. In a wide ranging conversation, Ben describes the lightbulb moment that led him to establish a film-specific model and why he believes the current value chain in the sector is out of sync with how audiences make decisions. We also talk about how and why cinemas have a distinct advantage in the film ecosystem (around their audience data) and how they can leverage this through greater collaboration with distributors. Ben also reveals the markets he is most excited about currently and why the future of independent film distribution is bright. 

About Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson, the founder and Head of Strategy and Audience Technology at Gruvi, stands at the forefront of the entertainment industry's evolution. His dynamic career, which commenced in 2007 in film marketing, has propelled Gruvi into a cutting-edge media agency specialising in technology-driven solutions for film distributors seeking to connect with and captivate online audiences. Ben has orchestrated over 300 movie campaigns for major players like Warner Bros., Disney, and Sony, as well as independent studios including Wild Bunch, Scanbox, and Dogwoof.

Ben's educational background includes an MBA in Technology Management and a foundation in Marine Ecology. Since the early days of online advertising and social media, he has been a pioneer, driven by an unwavering fascination with the potential to reach and engage audiences at scale. Rooted in his scientific background, this passion has become a driving force behind his commitment to understanding and leveraging the dynamics of online populations.

"It's a changing landscape, but people still want to see movies." Thor Sigurjónsson, Scanbox

In this episode we meet the leading - and legendary - Nordic distributor, Scanbox Entertainment with their top executives Merete Christensen (COO and Head of Theatrical) and CEO Thor Sigurjónsson. In the conversation we discuss how the Nordic markets are transforming through shifting audience behaviour and technology - and how Scanbox is adroitly adjusting to this landscape. Topics include changing acquisition and releasing models, what is working well in cinemas right now and the company's move into production. In a wide ranging conversation that covers Thor's journey from Icelandic producer to running a pan-nordic distributor, we also hear about why Scanbox recently joined the Vuelta Group and more about the group's vision for a pan-European distribution network. 

More about Merete and Thor

Merete Christensen is COO and Head of Theatrical Distribution at Scanbox, where she has been overseeing the theatrical distribution of approximately 25 films annually since 2011. Amongst these, acclaimed films like Past Lives, the French hit The Intouchables (De urørlige), the Taken franchise, and lately Alex Garland’s Civil War and Danish box office hit Rome by Niclas Bendixen. In addition to her work at Scanbox, Merete serves on the board of The Danish Cinema Club and is a member of the Danish Media Council.

Thor Sigurjonsson is the CEO of Scanbox Entertainment, a prominent Nordic film distribution company. With a background deeply rooted in both film production and distribution, Sigurjonsson has been involved with Scanbox for over 15 years, having served on its board before leading a management buyout (MBO) in 2020. His leadership has guided Scanbox into new ventures, including expanding into content creation, with a focus on both international and Nordic film and TV projects. Sigurjonsson also co-founded Zik Zak Filmworks, an Icelandic production company.

Luis Perez Endara is CEO of Gluon Media and Founder of Panoptico.tv, a new online community and recommendation engine for film and TV across Latin America. In this conversation, Luis explains how the current recommendation solutions, from algorithms to peer to peer services, are failing audiences. Drawing from his extensive experience in sales, marketing, distribution and curation, he reveals how Panoptico uses both 'top down' and 'bottom up' recommendation functionality to create a new type of recommendation engine. He also shares how Panoptico is designed to be home for movie lovers and a way for distributors and content owners to effectively reach audiences across the region. In a discussion that includes the wider state of the industry both in LatAm and globally, we also explore the transition from broadcasting to streaming as Luis breaks down exactly why and how this transition is causing studios, distributors and filmmakers unprecedented new challenges. 

For more check out www.panoptico.tv

Luis Perez Ignacio Endara holds a BA in Economics and began his career as a Business Consultant for Accenture. He later pursued a postgraduate program in Film, TV, and Digital Media at UCLA in California. Following his studies, he launched his first film distribution company in Argentina and has been deeply involved in the circulation of cinematic works ever since. He established one of the country's most prestigious arthouse theater programs at the MALBA museum and created one of Argentina's pioneering streaming services in 2010. Over the years, Luis expanded his distribution operations across Latin America, distributing hundreds of films seen by millions throughout the region. He currently lives and works between Miami and Buenos Aires.

"The current distribution model is broken, and Blue Harbor is here to offer a different approach that benefits both filmmakers and audiences." Mike Messina, co-founder Blue Harbor Entertainment   This episode is an insight into the obstacles and opportunities in the current releasing environment in a conversation with the founders of Blue Harbor Entertainment, the new service distribution company. Amanda Sherwin, Mike Messina and Seth Needle are industry veterans with decades of experience between them at the cutting edge of sales, acquisitions and distribution having previously come together as part of the senior leadership of Screen Media. Earlier this year they established Blue Harbor to offer filmmakers an alternative in today’s challenging distribution environment, providing a comprehensive distribution and marketing solution covering theatrical, home entertainment, digital streaming platforms, and television – all under a service fee structure geared around filmmakers.   In this conversation we explore the signficant changes in the US market in recent years, particularly in the video on demand space. Amanda, Mike and Seth explain how audience habits and release practices have rapidly shifted post-covid - and shifted again more recently - and reveal the signficant knock on effect this is having on acquisitions, distribution and filmmaking. The Founders explain how these witnessing these changes prompted them to design a different type of service distribution company, one that places the filmmaker at the heart of the process. They also explain why it is now essential for filmmakers to include distirbution thinking and budgeting as part of their production process, as in the words of Amanda, "In the evolving landscape of film marketing, understanding your audience and budgeting for distribution early is crucial. It's not just about making a film; it's about making sure it reaches the right eyes."   Amanda Sherwin Amanda has more than two decades of experience working in independent film. She most recently served as SVP of Marketing at Screen Media running the campaigns for 20+ releases annually, including the high-profile hits Willy’s Wonderland, Poker Face, and Maggie Moore(s). Prior to Screen Media, Sherwin consulted for PBS Distribution and managed theatrical service provider Paladin, overseeing the releases on an array of films from the comedic hit What We Do in the Shadows to the Oscar® nominated documentary For Sama. Sherwin began her career at CFP, a precursor to Lionsgate, where she later assumed the role of VP of Marketing. She then went on to help start THINKFilm, where she served as SVP of Marketing and Distribution and orchestrated the campaigns on more than 80 films, resulting in eight Academy Award® nominations and two wins. Sherwin is a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.   Mike Messina Mike has worked in independent film for more than 25 years. In his recent role as EVP of Distribution at Screen Media, he oversaw the distribution, marketing, and sales of 100+ movies, including the blockbuster hits The Outpost, Till Death, and The Ritual Killer, and was an Executive Producer on the Emmy® award-winning documentary Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street. Previously, Messina spearheaded independent film distribution and acquisitions at Starz and managed global streaming sales of Starz Original Series, including Spartacus and Power. He was also a senior executive at New Amsterdam Entertainment, where his producing credits included Dawn of the Dead which opened #1 at the US box office and was a Cannes Film Festival selection. Messina holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and is a Dartmouth College graduate.   Seth Needle Seth Needle is a leading content acquisition and creative executive, having previously served as EVP of Global Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Screen Media for the past 12 years. During his tenure, he was responsible for high-profile acquisitions The Outpost, Terry Gilliam's The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, Emmy® award-winning Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street, The Lifeguard starring Kristen Bell, and Stephen King's A Good Marriage, which King penned himself. He also established strategic business relationships with Focus Features, Starz, Roadside Attractions, and more. In addition, Needle oversaw all content licensing for the company’s streaming platforms that included Crackle, Popcornflix, and Redbox. Needle also served as an executive producer on Willy's Wonderland, Maggie Moore(s), Fast Charlie, Girl, and several others. Prior to Screen Media, Needle worked in the acquisitions department at Lionsgate and in the research department at Marketcast.

"Optimising cinema businesses through better data strategies can transform the entire entertainment landscape." Marina Kosten

Why the theatrical experience is so critical for the film and entertainment ecosystem and how it can be revitalised through a bold and innovative data-led strategy are some of the key topics explored here with the brilliant Marina Kosten. In the conversation Marina unpacks what first party data, how it can be harnessed and why it is so critical in today's entertainment economy as well as outlining her vision for regenerating the habit of moviegoing across the sector. 

A senior global research and strategy executive with an extensive track record in developing market and consumer insights, Marina is currently working with the NATO Cinema Foundation to identify new strategies for the exhibition sector in a significantly altered entertainment landscape.

Marina also serves as Senior Fellow Senior Fellow Center for the Digital Future at USC Annenberg and her previous roles include as Vice President of Consumer Research in the International Theatrical Division of 20th Century Fox, where she oversaw research related to releasing Fox films in the top 20 international markets.

Prior to 20th Fox, Kosten oversaw another dimension of the entertainment landscape at Activision-Blizzard, where she focused on Guitar Hero and Call of Duty franchises, in addition to Activision’s portfolio of licensed video games. Kosten began her career as a social researcher; her interest in understanding human behaviour led her through senior roles at several global research suppliers.

 

Urszula Piasecka is CEO of leading Polish distributor Kino Świat, part of the Studio Canal group. In this conversation we tap into Urszula's nearly 20 years’ experience across film and media business, working in film production and distribution, to look ahead to how the role of the dsitributor can evolve. In addition, we gain insights on the centrality of the theatrical experience, how distributors and producers can work more closely, the current state of the Polish market as well as her thoughts on the upcoming blockbuster, Paddington in Peru!   For 10 year Urszula was overseeing multi-territory deals and strategising volume packages as Director of Acquisition & Sales at Monolith Films. She was also Head of Programming of the International Film Festival Two Riversides and Head of Acquisitions and Co-production in TVP managing acquisition for 11 TV channels. She has gained experience in feature film development and production in Zebra Film Studio led by Juliusz Machulski. As co-author of postgraduate course on Kozminsky Academy “Media Management” she is a lecturer and promotor. She holds diploma of EMBA of Kozminski Business School and she completed Strategies for Leadership program in The Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne. She is a member of the European Film Academy.

David Larkin is Head of Business and Parnerships at Letterboxd, the global social network for grass-roots film discussion and discovery. In this episode we go 'under the hood' of the only film-centric social platform, to understand more about how it has successfully built a loyal community of 14mm+ film fans across the world. This includes how Letterboxd supports targeted film campaigns, understanding different industry-use cases on the site and insight into Letterboxd's big decision about including TV content.

In a wide ranging conversation, we also learn more about David's long and varied career as an executive and entrepreneur- including several successful exits - at the intersection of tech and entertainment  as well as how and why he began his working life learning how to open manholes in New York City and his involvement in an outrageous pot-themed alteration of the Hollywood sign!

Serge Zabbal is Busines Director at Empire Entertainment, the 105 year old film production and distribution operation based out of Dubai. Focusing on the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa), Serge oversees all of Empire's English language and Arabic releases across the different markets. This includes the output of Sony Pictures Entertainment, as the studio's official partner for the region.

Having had diverse experiences across a multitude of industries for more than 15 years in the Middle East, Serge brings a fresh perspectuve and innovative approach to the film and entertainment space. As well as serving as the Sony Pictures Entertainment Theatrical lead for the MENA region, he also manages Empires’ growing initiatives in Production and Gaming, with a focus on serving the evolving needs of their consumers.

In a wide ranging conversation, we discuss the cultural and economic nuances of the MENA market, including a deeper dive into the current state of the Saudi cinema revolution. We also explore innovation in distribution and how Empire are staying on the front foot with younger audiences as well as their approach to data driven marketing and participation in the wider entertainment landscape of gaming.