MUBI’s VP of Content Bobby Allen, Alamo Drafthouse’s CEO Tim League, Eurimages’ Executive Director Roberto Olla, SXSW’s Festival Director Janet Pierson and producer Michel Merkt are some of the high-profile participants who will join the interdisciplinary think tank StepIn for its fifth edition at the Locarno Festival's Industry Days.
In 2017, StepIn will focus on “The theatrical experience and the future of arthouse cinema in the age of global streaming platforms and social networks”, highlighting a increasing issue in today's film industry. With top executives from MUBI and Alamo Drafthouse leading as keynote speakers, the event hopes to encourage collaborations between global platforms and the theatrical players by sparking a necessary dialogue among all concerned industry players. A third international relevant speaker will be announced soon.
“Locarno gives a voice to forward-thinking representatives who believe in the theatrical experience and work hand in hand with cinemas while investing in new distribution strategies. Meanwhile, the new digital trends should compel cinema exhibitors to innovate in order to keep high exhibition standards,” says Nadia Dresti, Locarno Festival’s Deputy Artistic Director and Head of International.
According to StepIn Project Manager Marcello Paolillo, the choice of this year’s topic was a no-brainer: “Nowadays global platforms play a key role in the production and exploitation of feature films. Regardless of one’s opinion on the matter, this completely new landscape is a reality everyone in the film industry has to deal with. We believe that by encouraging an interdisciplinary dialogue, StepIn will spark new ideas, strategies, solutions and opportunities."
StepIn kicks off the Industry Days on Thursday, August 3rd, 2017, in partnership with Europa Cinemas, Europa Distribution and Europa International. Designed for distributors, exhibitors, sales professionals, funding agencies and streaming platforms of auteur cinema, as well as film festivals representatives, StepIn offers a unique discussion platform for international industry key players to exchange their points of view and propose practical ideas and strategies to overcome the challenges they are facing.
The 70th edition of the Locarno Festival takes place from 2 to 12 August, 2017.
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