🔔 Festivals Hub Announces Its 2023 Program!

Discover the Festivals Hub 2023 program featuring panels, forums, workshops, networking events, and the Festivals Hub Mixer!

Forum | From Festivals to Distribution: Spain’s Winning Strategy for Film Promotion

Within the context of festivals becoming key tools for wider film distribution, Spain’s success story of promoting winning films through distribution awards merits further examination. Their leading position in the film festival world today is a result of a unique long-term strategy focused on accompanying films from A to Z. Coinciding with Spain’s Country of Honor at this year’s Marché, we will offer a 360-degree breakdown of this phenomenon with our panel of seasoned industry professionals.

Organized in partnership with Rosa Bosch International and FIAPF.

📆 Wednesday 17 May | 11:00 – 12:30

📍 Festivals Hub (Riviera L0)


Panel | Refreshed Purpose: The New Value of Film Festivals

As distribution opportunities for independent films continue to shift with more pressure on marketing budgets in the aftermath of the pandemic, film festivals are taking on an increasingly vital role as the primary promotion platform for emerging filmmakers. As a result, film festivals have a more crucial role than ever in shaping the direction of today’s industry. Our expert panelists will offer valuable insights into the changing landscape of film festivals, as well as the unique opportunities and challenges presented by their refreshed value proposition.

Organized in partnership with The Festival Agency and FIAPF.

📆 Wednesday 17 May | 14:30 – 15:30

📍   Palais Stage (Palais -1)


Networking | Festivals Hub Opening Cocktail

Come and join us in celebrating the start of the Festivals Hub activities while you mingle and network in a casual setting with our esteemed tech partners and the festival industry.

Entrance by invitation only.

📆 Wednesday 17 May | 18:00 – 20:00
📍   The Viewpoint (Lérins)


Presentation | The Future of Festivals: Emerging Strategies for Connecting with Audiences

Be among the first to learn about emerging trends and evidence-based strategies for connecting better with existing and new audiences. Assessing data from festivals all over the world, Eventive CEO Iddo Patt shares insights from the soon to be published white paper, State of Festivals 2023: Patterns of Resilience and Recovery. Patt will be joined by festival expert panelists as he delves into attendance and revenue data gathered from more than 1000 festivals since 2020.

Organized by Eventive.

Entrance by invitation only.

📆 Thursday 18 May | 11:00 – 12:30

📍   The Viewpoint (Lérins)


Forum | Exploring New Frontiers: Maximizing Opportunities for Film Festivals

The film festival landscape is rapidly changing, with the emergence of festival networks, the integration of new media formats such as TV and gaming, an increase in industry academies, and a growing need for private funding. This event is a rare chance for festivals to exchange knowledge and ideas on adapting to the evolving models for festivals and how cooperation can lead to greater success for all.

A breakfast with the support of FilmFest and Panoramica will precede the Forum.

📆 Tuesday 23 May | 11:00 – 12:30

📍   Festivals Hub (Riviera L0)


Workshop | Prioritizing Wellbeing at Work: Sparking the Conversation amongst Festivals

The film industry is facing a crisis: 60% of film professionals are ready to quit due to stress, burnout, and harassment. Film festivals, in particular, face the added challenge of the majority of staff being present for only a few months per year. So what can be done within festivals to create a healthier work environment that promotes team cohesion and well-being? In partnership with Sane Cinema, we bring you a closed workshop to brainstorm solutions to the underlying problems within the film festival industry. The focus will be on the long term – implementing ideas and creating change, learning from our international colleagues and peers. Participants will have a safe space to speak out, and results will be documented in writing only to ensure anonymity.

This event is brought to you in collaboration with Sane Cinema and FIAPF and with the support of WorkPlace Options and the Cairo International Film Festival.

Entrance by invitation only.

📆 Wednesday 24 May | 10:00 – 13:00

📍   Festivals Hub (Riviera L0)


Networking | Festivals Hub Mixer

Join us for some casual networking and don’t miss out on this unique occasion to connect with other festivals, markets & sales agents while sipping a refreshing & well-deserved drink!

Entrance by invitation only.

📆 Wednesday 24 May | 18:00 – 20:00

📍   Bistrot du Lérins