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Our man on the ground in Barcelona, DCM Exhibition Director Steven Davis, reflects on another great conference full of films and networking.
What a week. CineEurope just gets bigger and better every year. 2017 saw another near sell out, which in a conference centre of 2,500 delegates is no mean feat.
Where to begin… I guess at the beginning. Sadly I departed on Father’s Day, in order to be bright and breezy for the first session on Monday morning, but on the upside, I arrived with fresh socks!
As much as you’re effectively attending screenings, presentations and workshops for four days it genuinely IS exhausting (which never goes down well when reporting in back home).
The days often begin at 8.30am and finish some 20hrs later, but it’s great. If you’ve not been before I heartily recommend it. Here are five reasons why:
- Trade Show - if you need to acquire anything in the next 12 months it’s worth the entry cost alone. With over 100 suppliers in attendance from Vista to Joe and Seph’s Gourmet Popcorn, Coca-Cola to Movio, your needs are well and truly catered for.
- Seminars - from Coca-Cola’s ’Rebels with a Cause 2 - What do youth audiences really want?’ to ‘Innovative ways to add screens’ there’s some really insightful stuff, which we’ll share more of as the year progresses.
- Content - I’d estimate over 100 films from the next 18 months and beyond were presented, from brief synopsises, directors and cast attached to more in-depth presentations with talent and excerpts. Entertainment One, EuropaCorp, Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures International, SF Studios, STUDIOCANAL, Sony Pictures International, Twentieth Century Fox International, UniFrance Films, Universal Pictures International, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International and Warner Bros. Pictures were all in attendance, and they never disappoint in terms of content and showmanship (literally in the case of The Greatest Showman where Hugh Jackman came out). . Tom Linay (DCM’s Head of Film) once again diligently captured EVERY film discussed, which we are currently compiling in the DCM CineEurope Film Guide 2017, which we’ll share with all of our customers shortly, just like last year.
- Films - a varied bunch this year from Annabelle Creation to Despicable Me 3, Atomic Blonde (personal favourite) to War for the Planet of the Apes.
- Networking - last but by no means least, the networking at CineEurope is unparalleled. You can barely get 10 metres without bumping into someone from somewhere, which is great. It’s a great place to catch up and find out what exhibitors and tech companies are up to, as well as distribution and a multitude of other suppliers.
The Daddy of UK Cinema, Phil Clapp (President of UNIC as well as CEO of the UKCA), did a superb job of the industry address on day one as well as being on hand all week. DCM were also lucky enough to be joined by over 20 of our exhibition partners this year, which was lovely.
A big shout out to Curzon, Everyman, Letchworth, Merlin, Picturedrome, Picturehouse, Station Richmond, Reel, Savoy and Zeffirellis. And speaking of Zeffirellis, you can find out about CineEurope in Tom Linay’s podcast, also featured in this weeks Close Up, which was recorded live at CineEurope with the lovely Dorothy Smith.
If you are interested in attending next year it’s well worth the ticket cost. Please email me and I’ll send you relevant details closer to the time.
A Bientôt.
Steve.
