BERLIN- NEWS

EFM Industry Debates 2008 – Drive Your Business Into The Future

The European Film Market (EFM) and its official main partner and sponsor ArtsAlliance Media (AAM), are presenting the EFM Industry Debates. Building on thesuccess of last year’s collaboration, this year’s debates will deal with theopportunities and challenges of digital film distribution and sales. Under theheading “Embrace Digital Distribution: Drive Your Business Into The Future”,advances in digital distribution possibilities, prospects of the cinema market andthe effects of growing digitalisation on home users will be discussed from February8 to 10, 2008.

On three afternoons the EFM Industry Debates will explore topics related to thefields of “Digital Cinema” and “Digital Home”. With this series, the EFM and AAM arestriving to stay abreast of the latest changes affecting film distribution as wellas investigate technical advances for their market compatibility. The first debatewill examine the perspectives opening up for European independent distributors inview of increasing digitalisation. On the second day, the key issue will bedevelopments in the home entertainment market: discussion will revolve around thechances emerging for filmmakers and distributors as a result of online distributionand legal downloading options. The series will close with a panel on the outlook oftechnical innovations and the development of digital standards for onlinedistribution.

The London-based company Arts Alliance Media is Europe’s leading provider for thedigital distribution of film and is currently working on establishing aEuropean-wide digital network that will make films available to cinemas and homeentertainment as well as enable exchange between partners in the industry.

Participating in the EFM Industry Debates 2008 are experts from different areas ofthe entertainment industry, leading market analysts and specialised journalists.This year they include: Arash Amel (Screen Digest), Robert Andrews (PaidContent:UK), Liesl Copland (Netflix), John Dick (MEDIA Programme), Anders Geersten (EuropeanDigital Cinema Forum), Michael Gubbins (Screen International), Simon Morris(Lovefilm.com), Jon Salmon (Tiscali), and Nick Varley (Park Circus).

The EFM Industry Debates 2008 will be held in the ballroom of the Marriott Hotelfrom 17:00 – 18:00 (5 - 6 pm). Debates will cover the following topics:

Friday, February 8:“Digital Cinema – The Independent Distributor’s Perspective”Saturday,

February 9:“Digital Home – Online Distribution/ Driving Business”Sunday,

February 10:“Digital Home – Online Distribution/ The Technology”

Admission to the EFM Industry Debates is free for accredited Festival visitors andEFM participants. Guests can register to attend at:
http://www.efm-industrydebates.com