Every Film's Journey
As every year—and we have now reached our fifteenth edition!—we have once again crafted a space to delve into the various facets of the audiovisual industry. Throughout this event, we will explore the complete life cycle of a film, from initial development strategies to the dynamics of programming, exhibition and distribution. This programme gives a comprehensive overview of this whole process by taking a practical, up-to-date approach that will equip you with valuable tools and innovative perspectives to apply to your own projects.
Programme
9.30 a to 11 am. Preparing for Takeoff
11 am to 12 noon. Beyond the Premiere
12.30 to 2 pm. Self-Distribution against the Odds
9.30 a to 11 am. Preparing for Takeoff
A masterclass dedicated to unravelling the fundamental aspects of a film’s distribution process. We will delve into how to acquire and negotiate rights, finance, plan, market and create a meaningful connection with audiences. A complete journey through the different phases and strategies that help maximise a film’s impact and presence in the market, with real case studies.
Silvia Lobo
Silvia Lobo (Zamora, 1981) is an executive producer, film distributor and audience design consultant for feature film projects. Together with Félix Abel de la Cruz, she recently set up the distribution company Stendhal Films, which specialises in independent films. She has worked at Morena Films on films like Campeones and Todos lo saben and on documentaries with Carlos Saura and José Luis López-Linares, among others. Over the past few years, she has distributed more than 25 films, including Spanish films like El despertar de las Hormigas, Trinta lumes, Hamada, Liberté, Lúa vermella, Blanco en blanco, La Mami, A media voz and La vida era eso, as well as international films like Sauvage, Ninjababy, Sweat and Lola. She has worked with sales agents such as Luxbox, Les Films du Losagne, Films Boutique, Mk2, Pyramide, Heretic and Urban Sales, among others. She also lectures for several Spanish master's programmes on production and distribution.
11 am to 12 noon. Beyond the Premiere
A masterclass focused on programming independent films outside traditional exhibition circuits. It will provide an overview of the dynamics of film exhibition and explore the role of the programmer as a key player in creating new screening spaces for independent cinema and giving a second life to commercial films. We will also look at current market trends and how to optimise audience reach.
Félix Abel de la Cruz
Félix Abel de la Cruz (Logroño, 1974) holds a degree in Law from UNIR and a master's degree in distribution and business in the Audiovisual Industry from ECAM. From 2002 to 2009 he was the manager of the Moderno cinemas in Logroño and Arcca in Calahorra. In 2010 he founded the company FC35 Consultores de Cine, SL, an audiovisual consulting firm specialising in cinema programming design. Since 2011 he has been the film programmer for the Actual Festival – Stage for Contemporary Cultures in Logroño. Since 2014 he has been the programmer for the Filmoteca de La Rioja Rafael Azcona. In 2023 he cofounded the film distribution and agency company Stendhal Films.
12.30 to 2 pm. Self-Distribution against the Odds
A roundtable bringing together filmmakers who have self-distributed their films. They will share their experiences, challenges and successes in a format that presents both difficulties and rewards when bringing projects directly to audiences without intermediaries, using ingenuity, creativity and plenty of perseverance.
With José Víctor Fuentes, producer and codirector of Un volcán habitado; María Gisèle, coproducer and codirector of On the Go; and Cristina Hergueta, coproducer of Nosotros and De caballos y guitarras and the Esto no es una poesía project, which includes Alas/Tierra. Moderated by Félix Abel de la Cruz.
In collaboration with
