Film Industry in a Time of Transformation: Look back at IFDS Cologne 2024

Alex Stolz and Oliver Fegan presenting at IFDS

Last week, usheru CEO Oliver Fegan and Head of Film Alex Stolz had the pleasure of attending both the International Film Distribution Summit (IFDS) and European Works in Progress in Cologne which we sponsored as usheru.

Here, read Alex’s reflections on the event and his key takeaways for film distributors across the industry.  

At IFDS, the organisers deserve a lot of credit for creating a space where industry leaders can explore and shape the future of marketing and distribution.

The energy reflected a sector in flux but with the right ideas, people, and strategies in place to navigate these transitions.

A standout moment for us was seeing Lucky Red win the Best Innovation in Distribution Award. Gabriele D’Andrea revealed their part in the impressive resurgence in the Italian box office, scoring blockbuster-level hits like PAST LIVES. What truly resonated with us was their innovative approach to marketing, particularly in creating discoverable content and nurturing conversations online—perfectly aligning with our own work on Relationship Marketing.

 

The concept of data-powered distribution was a hot topic. Imagine if Letterboxd ventured into distribution, leveraging its vast database to pinpoint audience demand and behaviour—that’s exactly what Japanese platform SUNDAE is doing with targeted releases. David Larkin of Letterboxd also joined the discussion, sharing fascinating insights into their audience datasets.

 

📊 Data management is another critical area Maria Tanjala FilmChain covered, showcasing how their powerful platform automates collection account management for a more transparent and efficient.

We left feeling inspired by innovative approaches to distribution:

▶️ Vladimir Kokh of KMBO 🇫🇷 shared their strategy of building a market for family and children’s films by breaking traditional distribution moulds.
▶️ Jen Davies of Conic 🇬🇧 showed how ethical principles can shape a successful business model alongside marketing and film taste.
▶️ Eduardo Escudero de Zuloaga from A Contracorriente Films 🇪🇸 presented exciting initiatives for exploiting their catalogue, including a groundbreaking project to bring cinema to rural villages.

 

It’s clear the industry is evolving, and we’re excited to continue being a part of this transformation.

share