After several years in which theatrical windows seemed to be shrinking by the quarter, the North American market may finally be settling into something that looks less like experimentation and more like strategy.

New research from Omdia suggests that studios are not returning wholesale to the old pre-pandemic windowing model. Instead, they are increasingly protecting theatrical exclusivity for the films most likely to benefit from it. In 2025, the average first transactional video-on-demand window rose slightly to a provisional 39 days, while the top 10 North American films averaged 51 days before reaching first transactional video-on-demand (TVOD), up from 45 days in 2024.

The message is not that the industry has solved the windows debate. It is that the debate has changed. Studios are still using flexible, title-by-title strategies, but the aggressive compression of theatrical exclusivity that followed the pandemic appears to be giving way to a more stable pattern — especially for the biggest releases.

Omdia’s findings were presented by Charlotte Jones, Senior Principal Analyst at Omdia, during the June 10 edition of the CJ Cinema Summit. The data came from the firm’s report, “US Movies: Theatrical, TVOD, SVOD, and Other Windowing Strategies 2025,” which tracks theatrical, transactional, subscription and other release windows across the North American market.

“What we found is that the average window did increase slightly,” Jones said during the Summit. “Generally, we are seeing a resurgence in some of the longer windows for some of those outlier titles.”

A Modest Shift, Concentrated at the Top
Omdia uses “first TVOD” to refer to the first transactional window, encompassing both premium rental and digital purchase availability. That measure has become one of the most closely watched indicators in the windows debate because it is often the first point at which a theatrically released film becomes available in the home.

In 2025, the average first TVOD window for wide releases tracked by Omdia rose to 39 days, up from 36 days in 2024. The average window to subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) release was a provisional 95 days, down slightly from 98 in 2024, based on known dates at the time the report was published in April.

Omdia noted that those figures could move as additional release dates become available, particularly on the SVOD side. Still, the provisional data points to a market in which studios are managing windows by platform and by title rather than reverting to one fixed model.

The shift was clearer among the highest-grossing films. Based on known dates at publication, seven of the top 10 North American titles in 2025 had more than 100 days between theatrical release and SVOD debut, up from six in 2024. All of the top 10 titles waited at least 30 days before first TVOD availability, a notable contrast with 2024, when Universal’s “Twisters” reached transactional platforms after 21 days.

Disney’s Benchmark, and the Outliers Pulling the Average Up
Disney stood out as the most consistent major studio in preserving a longer transactional window. Omdia found that Disney averaged 61.6 days from theatrical release to first TVOD in 2025, effectively matching its 61-day average in 2024. The studio also had the longest first TVOD window for a major studio title, with “Avatar: Fire and Ash” reaching transactional platforms after 102 days.

“Disney does have the longest in terms of that transactional window,” Jones said, pointing to the studio’s “consistency there over 60 days for many of those key titles.”

That consistency is significant because it places Disney’s approach closer to the kind of 60-day-plus model exhibitors have been advocating, even as the rest of the market continues to vary by studio and by title. Omdia’s data showed that 22 studio releases debuted on first TVOD after 45 days or more in 2025, up from 18 in 2024. But of the 17 studio titles that opened in 2025 to more than USD $50 million in North America, less than half had a 45-day window.

That finding may be one of the more revealing points in the study. Bigger opening weekends do not automatically guarantee longer theatrical exclusivity. Studio strategy still matters. So does the nature of the title, its performance trajectory, the distributor’s downstream priorities and the perceived value of keeping a film in cinemas longer.

“I would say that on average, when you have titles that perform at the higher end, in terms of the top three, top five, top 10, even top 20, they do tend to have on average longer windowing duration than the market average,” Jones said. “But you can see within that top 10 quite a lot of differences in studio approach and studio strategy.”

The Sentiment Shift, From the Top
The early 2026 data points toward further stabilization. According to Omdia, the top five films year-to-date for which data was available, all had theatrical-to-first TVOD windows of 45 days or more. Even traditionally shorter-window studios are tracking in that direction: Jones noted during the Summit that Amazon MGM’s “Project Hail Mary” ran roughly 53 days before TVOD, above that studio’s historical norm.

For exhibitors, that may be the most encouraging signal in the report. The industry is not necessarily returning to one fixed window for all films, but 45 days appears to be re-emerging as a meaningful floor for major releases, with stronger performers often allowed to run longer.

“It’s certainly very clear that the sentiment is now shifting towards backing longer windows,” Jones said.

That sentiment has been increasingly visible across the industry. Omdia’s presentation cited recent comments from Universal, Paramount, Sony Pictures, Steven Spielberg and Cinema United, all emphasizing the value of theatrical exclusivity. Paramount’s David Ellison has pledged a minimum 45-day theatrical window for releases, while Cinema United president and CEO Michael O’Leary has called for broad adoption of at least 45 days and, ideally, more.

Amazon MGM’s contribution to the same presentation struck a different note. Distribution chief Kevin Wilson framed the issue less in terms of a target number of days and more in terms of avoiding a scenario where a title is pulled from “a significant number of theaters after three weekends” and left to sit on a digital shelf for whatever is left of its window.

“I think there’s a middle ground that’s going to work for both studio and exhibitor,” Wilson said — a reminder that the consensus on longer windows is real, but the underlying math still varies by distributor.

The Cinema-Goer Premium
Still, the new windows landscape is not simply about holding films back from the home for a few extra weeks. Omdia’s consumer research suggests that cinema-goers are among the entertainment economy’s most valuable consumers precisely because they are active across so many other platforms.

In the U.S., Omdia found that cinema-goers over-index compared with non-cinema-goers across pay TV, SVOD, hybrid SVOD, FAST, social video, gaming and YouTube. Among surveyed U.S. cinema-goers, 95% used SVOD services, 95% used social video, 82% played video games and 91% used YouTube. They were also more than twice as likely as non-cinema-goers to subscribe to a traditional pay TV service.

“Cinema-goers are highly active across all of these windows,” Jones said. “Across all of these windows, we’re seeing the cinema-goer outperform the non-cinema-goer, which I think is a very interesting takeaway when we’re discussing the whole ecosystem.”

That complicates the familiar framing of theatrical and streaming as purely competing behaviors. Omdia’s data suggests that people who go to the cinema are not rejecting at-home entertainment. They are among its heaviest users. The issue for studios and exhibitors is therefore less about choosing between theatrical and downstream platforms, and more about sequencing those platforms in a way that preserves value.

“The cinema-goers are very valuable consumers across the value chain,” Jones said.

Windows as Value Preservation
That does not eliminate the tension around windows. A film can still be playing theatrically when it becomes available on TVOD, and exhibitors continue to argue that too-short windows train audiences to wait. But the Omdia study suggests the market has moved away from the most aggressive post-pandemic compression of theatrical exclusivity, particularly for bigger releases.

Jones noted that Omdia has not recently conducted a dedicated study on the impact of PVOD availability on individual box office runs, but said the subscription window likely carries the greater risk of cannibalization. In most cases, that window remains significantly longer than the transactional window, generally arriving closer to or beyond the three-month mark for major titles.

The current model is therefore neither a full restoration of the old windows system nor the free-for-all some feared during the pandemic. It is more flexible, more tactical and more dependent on performance. But it is also increasingly built around a recognition that theatrical exclusivity creates value that can carry into every later window.

For exhibitors, the significance of the Omdia data is not simply that windows are lengthening. It is that the strongest moviegoing audiences are also among the most active consumers across streaming, social video, gaming and other entertainment platforms. That makes theatrical exclusivity less of a defensive measure than a value-preservation strategy.

In other words, the window is no longer just about keeping a film off streaming for a few extra weeks. It is about giving theatrical enough room to create the awareness, word of mouth and cultural weight that every downstream window still depends on.

The post Theatrical Windows Are Stretching Again — and Hollywood’s C-Suite Wants Them Longer Still appeared first on Celluloid Junkie.

That system is no longer the only path – as filmmakers, distributors, festivals, and technology companies increasingly embrace a direct-to-audience pipeline. At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the panel “The Evolution of Distribution: How a Direct-To-Audience Pipeline Will Energize Independent Film” set out to explore this model, one that allows creators to build communities, market films, sell tickets, and distribute content directly to viewers long before a traditional distributor enters the picture.

Held on 16 May, at Village Innovation as part of the Marché du Film (Cannes Film Market), the panel was hosted by Iddo Patt, co-founder and CEO of Eventive, a company that provides ticketing, streaming, and audience management tools for festivals, cinemas, and filmmakers. Working with festivals for the past decade – 6,000 festival editions across 50 countries – Patt reported that over 16 million tickets have been issued through the Eventive platform. “So we’ve developed a lot of ideas, a lot of data, around how people are interacting with movies today,” he said.

Joining him on stage was a diverse slate of guests from different parts of the independent film spectrum: John Nein, senior programmer and director of strategy at the Sundance Film Festival; producer and sales agent Sarah Mosses, CEO and founder of the UK-based Together Films; Daniel Berger, president of Oscilloscope Laboratories, a US-based distribution and media company; and Sharon ‘Rocky’ Roggio, founder and creative director of 1946 Studios, and also the director of the documentary “1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted a Culture.”

The Tension Between Old and New Models
As Berger noted, there is still a great deal of “antiquated thinking” in the exhibition and distribution sector. Not least, who works in the exhibition realm. “A lot of theatre programmers… It’s the same old white men that have been programming those same theatres for decades,” he said. “You talk about reaching a younger audience… These are not the people to do that, they don’t understand it.”

Mosses added that defining success in terms of gaining traditional distribution was also an outdated way of thinking. “The second an audience member has watched it, you’re in a form of distribution,” she argued, “and your success should start from that metric, rather than ‘Did I get a formal offer from a traditional partner? Did I get the streaming deal? Did I get the broadcast offer?’ They’re all different forms of consumption.”

The rise of virtual communities as an in-built audience for a film is another exciting development, remarked Nein. Take those who have built a YouTube following, like Danny and Michael Philippou, whose feature debut “Talk To Me” was launched at Sundance in 2022 and went on to gross $92 million worldwide, or more recent hits like “Obsession” and “Backrooms,” made respectively by Curry Barker and Kane Parsons, who also started cultivating fans for their work online.

“There is something exciting about virtual communities,” continued Nein. “To me, it has to do with this idea of how do you expand the audience? How do you bring people who don’t normally go to a film festival or go to a theatre that’s playing an independent film? Are they coming to a new place for them? And we often talk about that in terms of young audiences. People who might become interested in independent feature work by virtue of some other means, right? And I think that that’s what I see being different today, as opposed to twenty years ago.”

“1946” as a Direct-to-Audience Case Study
As Patt noted, with traditional distribution channels now turning upside down, “It makes a lot of sense for filmmakers to build an audience in a community before a film even plays at a festival.” Roggio’s success is the perfect case study in exploring the direct-to-audience pipeline. Released in 2022, “1946…” explored how the word ‘homosexual’ first appeared in the Bible during the 1946 translation of the Revised Standard Version, arguing this was a mistranslation of Greek texts – a mistake that inadvertently fuelled decades of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.

The controversial content immediately attracted viewers. “Before the movie even came out, we had hundreds of people telling us how much our movie was dumb, stupid, wrong,” Roggio recounted. With “pastors losing their minds” in Sunday morning sermons, on radio shows and podcasts, “1946…” was on everyone’s lips. “That was already a big win for us,” he said. An even bigger win came when an Australian TikTok user posted the film’s trailer, and it went viral – gaining 2 million views. When the film premiered at the 2022 Doc NYC festival, it won the Audience Award, the first of 25 awards.

The question remained: what next? “We wanted distribution,” said Roggio. “And if you sell too many tickets at a festival, are you going to get distribution? But I had an audience waiting to see this film, so I really wanted them to see the film. We ended up selling over 5,000 digital tickets at Doc NYC. We’re still the most viewed film in their festival history at the virtual end. They ended up opening an additional screening for us in person, which was huge, and we took a risk doing that, but it paid off.”

Despite employing publicists 42West, who helped ensure visibility, the reaction was disappointing from traditional distributors. “They said, ‘Love the film, can’t help you,’” said Roggio. As she previously explained at a Berlinale EFM talk, the film was considered risky – either “too gay or too Christian”. At this stage, Eventive stepped in. “Eventive contacted us,” said Roggio, “and said, ‘Listen, you obviously have an audience for this, so why don’t you do self-distribution?’”

Released in theatres in the US in December 2023 – to ensure qualifying for BAFTA and Oscars – Roggio also launched a virtual release, via Eventive, to help pay for the costs of entering the awards season. Turning the traditional distribution paradigm upside down was exactly the right strategy. In six months, “1946…” made $118,000 net profit from 500 watch parties – simultaneous virtual watch-along events – across 25 countries.

Crucially, Eventive also provided data: who watched the movie, how many times they watched the movie and for how long – and viewer’s email addresses. The production now has 15,000 subscribers on the film’s Mailchimp account. “I am excited, because we haven’t even hit our potential,” added Roggio. “I think maybe 100,000 people have seen the movie over watch parties, maybe 200,000. We need millions of people to see this movie, so we have a lot of work to do.”

The Three Rs: Reach, Revenue, and Reaction
During the panel, Sarah Mosses, founder and CEO of Together Films, suggested that filmmakers must begin every project by defining their primary intention. According to Mosses, most distribution goals fall into three categories:

• Reach
• Revenue
• Reaction

Some filmmakers prioritise prestige and awards recognition, which due to the expense of mounting an awards campaign will have an impact upon revenue. Others prioritize financial return. Others want to maximize social impact and audience engagement.

“Each film really is going to have a combination of all three, and you should have a combination,” said Mosses. “I advocate for everybody trying to make some form of money, that should be there. It should be the compounding of it, but you have to understand which of those things you’re aiming for to define your own success metrics within that process.”

A More Practical Way to Think About Audiences
Mosses also proposed a framework called CAST to help filmmakers think more strategically about audience segmentation.

• Commercial audiences
• Affected audiences
• Supportive audiences
• Tactical audiences

Commercial audiences are viewers most likely to buy tickets in traditional theatrical settings. Affected audiences are communities directly connected to the film’s subject matter or lived experience. Supportive audiences include advocacy groups, nonprofits, educational organizations, religious institutions, and community organizations that may organize screenings because they care about the issue. Tactical audiences are smaller groups — politicians, policymakers, corporate leaders, or influencers — whose engagement could create broader institutional change.

“We need to really think differently about how we categorize our audiences, so that we can plan distribution efforts that match who needs to see this,” Mosses added. “Because if we only solidly focus on a primary audience for theatrical, we might miss so many different windows that come around that.”

The Future
Mosses concluded by noting that further transparency is needed, including box office reports for each film playing at a festival. “That’s a level of success. How many people showed up to the festival? What was my total box office gross?” She also called for a more uniform way of looking at data in the industry.

Daniel Berger concurred: “You look at box office in Europe, and they tell you how many admissions there have been, how many people saw it. You look at box office in the US, they tell you how many dollars it made.” Given the vast array of ticket prices, it’s impossible to calculate admissions via the current US model. “I don’t know how many people see our films. I’ll never know, there’s no way to know.”

Overall, the panellists agreed that the direct-to-audience pipeline does not eliminate the need for festivals, distributors, or theatres. Festivals remain essential spaces for discovery, legitimacy, and communal viewing experiences, while distributors still provide expertise, relationships, marketing infrastructure, and access to broader markets.

Yet wider thinking is required. As Patt noted, “Ninety per cent of the films that are playing festivals overall are not getting formal or traditional distribution, even though they’ve been curated in a meaningful way. They’ve been selected for important reasons, they’re seen by a lot of people… and that’s part of what is driving this need for direct-to-audience opportunities that can then turn into theatrical.”

The post Can Direct-to-Audience Distribution Give Indie Films a New Path to Theatres? appeared first on Celluloid Junkie.

Sony Pictures Classics has been doing it anyway for more than three decades.

The deal that best captured the early days of the 79th Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film wasn’t made by SPC. It was made across from them — in the abstract, at least — when A24 dropped a reported $17 million to acquire Jordan Firstman’s “Club Kid” after a bidding war that drew Netflix, Searchlight, Focus Features and Mubi before the price tag rocketed into eight figures.

The news broke just as Sony Pictures Classics co-founders and co-presidents Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, along with Dylan Leiner, EVP of Acquisitions, Production and Business Affairs, took the stage at the Palais des Festivals for a Marché du Film panel titled “How Sony Pictures Classics Navigates the World of Indie and International Cinema,” moderated by Los Angeles Times editor Matt Brennan.

The timing was pointed. For exhibitors wondering which model of independent distribution is actually built to last — the headline-chasing eight-figure swing or the slow-burn, evergreen play — the SPC response was instructive.

“When we acquire a movie, whether anyone else has offers, we try to block it out,” said Barker. “We have trained ourselves to not let that noise bother us. What is it worth to us? What do we think it’s going to do?”

“You Never Lose Money on a Movie You Didn’t Buy”
The panel began, appropriately, with Cannes stories. Barker recalled 1984, when he and Bernard were at the festival with Orion Pictures and thought they were going to acquire Wim Wenders’ “Paris, Texas.” Then 20th Century Fox “swooped in for three times our offer,” Barker said, and the film was gone.

But over lunch with French producer Serge Silberman at the Carlton Hotel, they learned Silberman was preparing Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran.” “At that lunch we bought the film,” Barker said. “He literally wrote the deal on a napkin at the restaurant at the Carlton Hotel. So I think we turned out okay.”

Leiner’s own Cannes acquisition story was more physical. During a screening of “Son of Saul,” he stepped out, called Barker and Bernard, and told them this was the film they needed to pursue. The after-party was closed and the gatekeepers wouldn’t let him in, so Leiner found another route. “The only way I was going to be able to get in was through the beach,” he said. “I was in my tux, and I waded through the ocean.”

He met director László Nemes and the sales team. Later that night, SPC bought the movie. “Son of Saul” went on to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

These are not just good stories. They are the texture of an era in which Cannes was a smaller, stranger operation — and in which the deals that shaped international cinema were made by people who trusted their guts and worked the room. That instinct-first philosophy remains at the center of SPC’s methodology, now reinforced by Leiner’s financial modeling: scenario ranges on the low end and high end, followed by a disciplined decision about where SPC can make the numbers work.

Bernard put the guiding principle in terms Silberman himself might have appreciated: “He always said you never lose money on a movie you didn’t buy.”

That discipline may sound almost quaint in a marketplace where acquisitions increasingly double as brand announcements. But for exhibition, the SPC model carries a direct analog: programming discipline — knowing which films you can actually make work on your screens — is as valuable as chasing the next hot title. The specialty circuit’s healthiest operators have always known this.

The Festival as Intelligence Network
SPC acquired four films from this year’s Sundance and picked up South by Southwest premiere “Wishful Thinking” — five domestic festival acquisitions before Cannes opened. The trio’s account of how festivals actually drive those decisions is more pragmatic than romantic.

For Leiner, the value of in-person festivals crystallized at the first post-COVID Berlin International Film Festival. Several international distributors asked whether SPC had seen “The Teachers’ Lounge.” It wasn’t on their radar. They saw it quickly and acquired it; the film later earned an Oscar nomination for Best International Feature Film.

“Being at a festival and being in this fishbowl environment is really helpful,” Leiner said. “These films that we acquired at these domestic festivals recently — they were not planned. That’s what’s always amazing.”

The festival circuit, in other words, is not primarily a screening schedule. It is a distributed intelligence network — one that only functions when the right people are physically in the same room. For exhibitors making programming decisions months in advance, that same network helps determine which specialty titles arrive on their screens with genuine word-of-mouth velocity versus manufactured buzz. The difference often shows up in holdover performance.

Bernard described the festival ecosystem as one of fiercely guarded premiere politics and distinct personalities. Cannes carries the most weight, partly because of what Barker called the singular contribution of longtime selection chief Thierry Frémaux: “What he has done in the last 25 years has kept film relevant — for all of us and for the public.”

By the time the festival closed, Cristian Mungiu’s “Fjord” had taken the Palme d’Or and Andrey Zvyagintsev’s “Minotaur” the Grand Prix — further confirmation, if any were needed, that the director-driven international cinema SPC has championed for decades remains Cannes’ defining currency. Neon extended its remarkable Cannes winning streak, reinforcing exactly the competitive dynamic the panel had been interrogating all morning: which acquisitions represent genuine long-term value, and which are brand positioning?

“Nuremberg,” Timing and the Evergreen Principle
No film in the session illustrated the SPC model more concretely than “Nuremberg,” the James Vanderbilt-directed courtroom drama starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek, acquired at last year’s Cannes and released theatrically in November 2025. The film grossed more than $56 million globally — exceptional by contemporary specialty-market standards — and has continued to perform in ancillary markets, including airlines, where SPC deliberately holds rights.

“Nobody else was really interested in the movie,” Leiner said. The challenge was convincing the team behind a $40 million production to trust an independent distributor.

“We felt we were auditioning, like to get married to somebody,” said Bernard. “We said, sell it to us. We think it’s going to be a great success — and we’ll make your movie way more valuable over the test of time.”

Part of that value came from an unscripted source. At a Museum of Modern Art screening before release, Barker watched the audience react to Michael Shannon’s speech about the fragility of constitutional law by whispering “Trump.”

“That movie was timely for what Americans were going through,” Barker said. “Whatever side they were on at that moment — very timely. And that helped that film.” SPC bought advertising on both Fox News and MSNBC.

The lesson is the one SPC has been demonstrating for 30 years: a film with genuine evergreen potential — “Run Lola Run,” “Call Me by Your Name,” “Living” — can generate revenue long after its theatrical run closes. That long tail changes how even a modest opening looks on the full balance sheet.

Bernard was direct about pay-one windows: “We look at pay one as part of the theatrical release, in a sense. We continue to promote with all the different aspects of whoever our partner is… to get people to see it at home.” In the post-COVID marketplace, he argued, that window has become “a more valuable revenue stream than it ever was” — a point exhibitors negotiating window lengths with distributors should weigh carefully.

“Blue Moon” and the Art of the Planned Nomination
“Blue Moon,” Richard Linklater’s one-night biographical drama following lyricist Lorenz Hart on the opening night of “Oklahoma!,” earned Ethan Hawke his first Best Actor Oscar nomination at the 98th Academy Awards alongside a Best Original Screenplay nod for writer Robert Kaplow. For Barker, the nomination was not a surprise. It was a planned outcome.

“We sat down with Rick Linklater in 2024 and we said we’d like to make this movie,” Barker recalled. “Our confidence was that movie is going to be nominated for Best Actor and Best Screenplay. The screenplay was spectacular, and it was so obvious — we had to do that for Ethan. Twenty years earlier, we had ‘Capote’ with Philip Seymour Hoffman. This was a similar kind of spectacular performance.”

The airline strategy was deliberate. SPC placed “Blue Moon” on cross-country flights during the Oscar voting window.

Barker said, “I firmly believe the airline orchestrating it is what helped cause Ethan Hawke to get nominated — because we were all on all these planes and they were all watching ‘Blue Moon.'” Bernard called it “an old-school tactic” deployed with precision in the streaming age.

The implication for exhibitors is concrete: Oscar nominations remain one of the few mechanisms that can return a specialized title to screens multiple times — at announcement, through the ceremony, and after a win.

“That is more valuable than it’s ever been,” Bernard said, “because you can’t get onto that stage without being in that conversation with movies that the theater owners decide they should play.” At the end of the voting period, chains play all nominated films for a full week. That guaranteed screen time has to be earned upstream, through exactly the kind of long-range campaign architecture SPC described.

The Weekday Audience and the Repertory Rebound
The session’s most forward-looking thread concerned theatrical exhibition — and whether the signals Barker and Bernard are reading amount to a genuine structural shift or another false dawn.

At CinemaCon, SPC drew more exhibitor attendance at its specialized night presentation than perhaps ever before, a reflection of what Bernard described as a real change: commercial multiplexes beginning to program specialty content in earnest.

Barker flagged a metric with direct booking implications: “The Monday through Thursday gross on a specialized film could be as high as the weekend gross — never happened before.” Younger audiences, he argued, prefer to attend arthouse titles on weekdays. AMC has responded with senior Tuesday discounts. The weekday specialized audience is no longer a rounding error, and exhibitors who haven’t adjusted their midweek programming strategy accordingly may be leaving money on the table.

Then there is the repertory renaissance. “There’s a new generation that’s learning about cinema the way it happened back in the late ’60s and ’70s,” said Bernard. AMC has offered SPC 170 of its largest screens for a week-long “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” run. SPC is reissuing “Trainspotting” in June on 400 commercial screens and planning a similar outing for “The Piano.”

“It’s not just the older crowd,” Barker said. “It’s younger people that want to see this on a big screen with great sound.”

“Becoming Led Zeppelin” offered the proof of concept. When SPC acquired the documentary, some wondered what the company was doing taking on a rock legacy film. Bernard helped engineer an IMAX strategy that Barker said “blew people’s mind,” and the release became, in Barker’s words, “one of the most successful independent films of the last decade” — establishing a template that SPC then replicated for its Elvis Presley documentary.

“It has rejuvenated the documentary form,” Leiner said. “The key is to eventize these movies — the smallest one to the biggest one. Now is the time when distributors can be more creative than they’ve ever been.”

Bernard offered exhibitors a pointed challenge alongside the optimism: make moviegoing more fun, and find better ways to tell audiences what is playing before their friends have to tell them for you. The infrastructure for discovery still lags behind the appetite.

The Neon Question
An audience question — from Andrew Frank of Mongrel Media — cut directly to the competitive landscape: Is it sustainable for Neon to acquire every major Palme d’Or contender at Cannes year after year?

Bernard reached for history. “I’d say you should asked the people who used to be at Miramax — that doesn’t exist anymore.”

Barker passed entirely. “As long as we’ve been in the business, there’s always been someone saying they’re gonna buy everything on the Croisette. Good luck.”

Leiner offered the more analytically useful frame. A24’s ability to pay $17 million for “Club Kid” was underwritten, in part, by the fact that its international sales arm had already received territory offers before the final deal was closed.

“They’re basically plugging into an existing deal, which is hugely valuable to a US distributor,” Leiner said. “There’s already a sense of how much they can lay off.”

The headline number, in other words, may not tell the whole story — a reminder that acquisition economics in 2026 are increasingly opaque to outside observers.

SPC does not buy for headlines or to establish a floor. It buys films it thinks it can make work: on airlines, in repertory houses, across Oscar campaigns, in territories that open wide once domestic momentum builds — and on screens where the work of getting the audience there has already begun long before opening weekend.

Sony Pictures Classics is not pretending the business has not changed. Barker, Bernard and Leiner spoke like executives who understand that every revenue stream matters, every window must be managed, and every audience must be found. But they also made clear that survival in specialty distribution still begins with taste — not nostalgia, not romanticism, and not the fear of losing a bidding war.

The “Club Kid” deal will generate more column inches in the next month than “Nuremberg” did in six. The question for the film industry is which one is still in rotation in 2030.

That, more than any bidding-war headline, is the Sony Pictures Classics business model.

The post The Long Game: How Sony Pictures Classics Still Wins at Cannes appeared first on Celluloid Junkie.

The last five years have indeed redrawn the theatrical map. Local content, once considered supplementary, has  become the stabilizing backbone of the Nigerian cinema business. In some quarters, it is more than  just a cinema business; it’s the differentiator, the engine, and arguably the only segment still showing structural resilience in a market battered by piracy, inflation, insecurity, and shifting consumer habits.  

In recent times, the rise of local cinema is no longer a hopeful narrative pushed by filmmakers; it is a  measurable phenomenon with direct impact on exhibitors’ balance sheets. And if recent box office data is any indication, Nigeria is in a new era where domestic titles are increasingly shaping  performance cycles, investor confidence, and long-term viability.  

A Decade of Change in the Numbers and Authenticity  
As of 2014, Nollywood films accounted for just under 10% of total annual domestic box office revenue  in Nigeria, according to industry tallies from the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN). By 2019, that share rose to 28%, helped by breakout titles like “The Wedding Party” (2016), “Sugar Rush” (2019), and “King of Boys” (2018).  

Then came 2020, the pandemic year that ironically created the conditions for Nollywood’s accelerated rise. With global release schedules disrupted and Hollywood theatrical release slates shrinking by over 70%, local filmmakers were forced to step up. They did, and audiences responded. Since 2021, Nigerian titles have consistently represented 35-45% of annual box office revenues, depending on quarter and region. 

The most telling shifts would be between mid 2022 and late 2024, where, for the first time in recorded CEAN data, local films outperformed Hollywood releases across multiple high-traffic months, not due to a lack of foreign releases but because indigenous titles had become strong enough to take up release dates and hold attention on their own. Hollywood remains important, but the era when Nigeria cinemas relied entirely on U.S. blockbusters to survive is gone. Local titles now anchor annual performance. Yes, anchoring is the right word. Because in weeks where imported content underperforms, Nollywood now graciously fills the revenue gap almost predictably.

According to CEAN’s national chairman, Opeyemi Ajayi, NGN ₦11.5 billion was realised in the year 2024 from ticket sales across cinemas in Nigeria, as against NGN ₦7.2 billion made in 2023. In 2024, cinemas accommodated 2.66 million persons and 2.54 million persons in 2023.

“We have recorded 60% growth in revenue in 2024 and about 4.5% growth in admissions despite the harsh economic climate. This is a  remarkable achievement and it is a testament to the industry’s resilience, creativity and determination. It is also the first time we are seeing a growth in admissions since 2020, signaling a significant upturn  in the cinema subsector”, he said.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in July 2024, Ajayi acknowledged with  excitement that revenue generated from Nollywood and Hollywood films in cinemas were beginning to be on a par, and he described the development as the way to go. According to him, Nollywood films  raked in NGN ₦2,325,930,952 while Hollywood films generated NGN ₦2,321,273,174 in revenue during the first half of 2024. “We also recorded 559,122 total admissions for Hollywood films and 640,539 for Nollywood  films”, he added.

By the end of August 2025, Nigeria’s box office had attained yet another milestone, generating more  than NGN ₦10 billion in ticket sales. This figure reflects a 58% increase from the NGN ₦6.4 billion recorded during the same period last year. Admissions also surged to 1.84 million, an almost 16% increase from 1.59 million in 2024. This revalidates the growing strength of Nollywood and cinema culture in Nigeria. Should this trend continue, total box office revenues would likely exceed NGN ₦16 billion by the end of  December. This would mark yet another historic milestone for the industry. 

What Changed?
Post-pandemic was a trying time for businesses across the globe. While some thrived, many  struggled and some failed to recover. Nollywood was indeed favoured. When exchange-rate volatility pushed imported film licensing fees upward, local titles became a safer, more predictable bet. By 2024, Nollywood films delivered higher net margins for exhibitors than Hollywood releases, even when overall attendance was similar. Exhibitors maximized every advantage and made the best out of them. From a programming flexibility perspective, Nigerian films often run longer than foreign releases  because they grow through word-of-mouth rather than opening-day hype. What this means is that  exhibitors nowadays tend to program for longevity, not volatility. They exploit social media, collaborating with local influencers to drive engagement that authentically connects with the audience. This engineers audience loyalty. Anecdotal audience response suggests local content is pulling in groups like families,  female-heavy audiences, and culturally specific demographics who otherwise might never prioritise cinema outings.  

A mid-2024 CEAN analytic summary noted that local content is now a key stabiliser for cinemas outside Lagos and the capital Abuja, where Hollywood attendance fluctuates more dramatically. This is crucial; Nollywood isn’t just rising in urban hubs, it’s anchoring performance in mid-tier cities too.  

Ken Okwuosa, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Filmhouse Group, revealed  that Nigeria has a powerful local market and the cinemagoers are spending heavily on watching local  content in cinemas while speaking with  the founder of the Nigerian International Film & TV Summit, Ijeoma Onah, in 2024. Speaking on the rise of the Nigerian film industry and content, Okwuosa said, “In 2024 H1, Nollywood took 48% of the total market share in cinemas while Hollywood claimed 52%.”

He also said that Filmhouse has an enviable 82% market share in film distribution and up to 35% market share in cinema screening.

The Creative Side: Story Trends Driving the Boom
Nollywood did not arrive by accident: structures and intentionality took effect. A pattern has  emerged among the biggest local hits that led to the current shift, creating a phenomenon. Stories rooted in authentic, everyday Nigerian realities – films about family conflict,, cultural  identity, traditional power dynamics, and Lagos hustle tropes – consistently outperform others.  Nollywood connected with their own people, their culture, their personalities, their realities and,  eventually, their pockets with ease. While comedy and dramedy remain dominant, humour translates more consistently across regions and drives repeat viewing. In exploring genre experiments, titles in action (“Brotherhood”), period epics (“Aníkúlápó”), social thrillers (“Orah,” “Breath of Life”), and crime dramas (Shanty Town universe) signal a growing versatility. 

There is a popular Nigerian slang saying, “No gree for anybody”, meaning: do not let anyone  intimidate you – hustle and never give up. Nigerian women in Nollywood seem to take that slang a little more seriously. Funke Akindele has redefined commercial viability. “A Tribe Called Judah” alone grossed over NGN ₦1.4 billion, becoming Nigeria’s first billion-naira film. 

Cultural relevance is clearly outperforming spectacle. Nigeria’s median age is 18. Entertainment spending among young audiences is increasingly tied to relatability, not scale. Hollywood can bring budget and spectacle, but Nollywood brings familiarity, with characters grounded in Nigerian authenticity: glam, humour, conflict, aspiration, and social dynamics. 

A data review from FilmOne’s box-office insight unit shows that repeat viewership for top Nollywood titles is 2.2x higher than for most mid-tier  Hollywood releases. That is not an accident. Films like  “A Tribe Called Judah,” “Battle on Buka Street,” “Brotherhood,” and “Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre” blend heightened drama with cultural specificity, appealing to audiences who want to “see themselves”.  

Global studio outputs are reducing, and it’s widening the opportunity gap. The U.S. theatrical recovery is still sluggish. Production delays from both the pandemic and the 2023 strikes created a multi-year content shortage. In 2024, global studios released roughly 25% fewer films compared to 2018. Fewer titles mean fewer high-performing weekends for exhibitors globally, but Nigeria has bucked the trend  as cinemagoers favour “event” films. In the past, exhibitors filled weak U.S. months with Bollywood or  European titles. That strategy has become increasingly ineffective. Non-local, non-Hollywood titles contribute barely 3-5% of the annual Nigerian box office.  

Nigerian distributors now program strategically around Hollywood calendars, not behind them. This shift has birthed a competitive advantage that no other market on the continent enjoys at this scale. Local filmmakers are responding by boosting production value, and audience perceptions are changing. Budgets for top Nigerian theatrical titles used to be NGN ₦50 – ₦80 million in the early 2010s. Now, they  range from NGN ₦200 to NGN ₦500 million. Cinemas are adjusting to accommodate and optimize in line with the new reality. Nigerian films are no longer supporting acts, they are headline content. The transformation is not just cultural but phenomenal.  

The Challenges
Of course, the rise is not without headwinds. Nollywood’s theatrical growth may be promising, but the terrain remains uneven. Inflation is suppressing discretionary spending. Ticket prices have increased by 40 – 60%, which has contributed to the box office increase, but admissions continue to rise (4.5% in 2024). Distribution bottlenecks are still major challenging factors. While exhibition has arguably improved over time, capacity is still under 90 screens   nationwide. This is far too low for an emerging market with a population over 200 million. Marketing  budgets remain modest. The average Nollywood theatrical marketing budget is NGN ₦10 – ₦20 naira,  limiting the required nationwide hype to drive more awareness and revenue. Piracy, amongst others, is undercutting long-term revenue. For every successful cinema run, there is an illegal digital leak within weeks. However, despite these pressures, Nollywood holds a massive opportunity with indigenous stories waiting to be told, while local films continue to outperform expectations. 

Ladun Awobokun, the Chief Content Officer, FilmOne Group, stated in an interview with Pulse Nigeria that there are many existing untold stories yet to get to the screen. She affirmed that, “If you position any film as a film to watch that should be watched, the Nigerian audience will watch it. They’re coming out for different types of films. They are coming out to watch these films in their numbers. There are so many, folks are coming out for biopic, romance, and epic and they’re doing great numbers. If you do the work, people will come out to see it. People are now asking questions. Because of that, you have to pay more attention to what you’re doing. How is it shot, what does it look like, and how was it  produced.” 

Nollywood is a market maturing into its own identity. The story of Nigerian cinema is no longer about catching up to global industries. It’s about defining its own commercial logic, one where local content drives growth, audience loyalty, and creative innovation. One with revenue opportunities where exhibitors are realizing how much they need Nollywood, just as filmmakers need the box office. Audiences are continuing to show up for stories they recognise. And for the first time in a long while, the incentives are aligning. Local content is not just rising; it is becoming the spine of the industry. And if this trajectory continues, the Nigerian film market will stand as one of the few in the world where the local beats the global at the gate.

The post The Rise of Local Cinema: How Nigerian Cinemas are Rebuilt on Indigenous Films appeared first on Celluloid Junkie.

Following the strong response to the ninth edition of our sister list, Top Women in Global Cinema, published earlier this year, we wanted to once again shine a light on the women shaping how films reach audiences worldwide. While film distribution remains a male-dominated sector, recognising and amplifying female leadership in this space continues to be both necessary and overdue.

As has become customary with our Top Women lists — whether focused on cinema exhibition or distribution — the volume and quality of nominations made narrowing the field especially challenging. We’re therefore particularly pleased that 16 of the women featured this year are new entrants, reflecting both emerging leadership and the continued evolution of distribution roles across markets, platforms and release strategies.

At the same time, we remain conscious that some territories are still underrepresented, or not represented at all. This is not due to a lack of intent on our part, but rather a reminder of how dependent these initiatives are on industry participation and nominations from across the global ecosystem.

For 2025, we also continued with clearly defined eligibility criteria for distribution nominees, introduced to ensure consistency and relevance across the list. As a result, some senior executives whose roles extend well beyond film distribution — however influential — are not included here.

Our sincere thanks once again to AMC Theatres, DCDC and Event Cinemas for supporting our ongoing editorial mission of spotlighting standout talent across the global film industry.

Elissa Federoff

Chief Distribution Officer, NEON

Elissa Federoff is Chief Distribution Officer at NEON, a role she was promoted into in 2024 after overseeing the company’s theatrical distribution strategy since its founding in January 2017. She guides NEON’s release approach across the slate, helping establish the company as a major theatrical player with both large exhibition circuits and the independent arthouse community. Under her leadership, NEON released “Anora,” which went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2025, further cementing the company’s reputation for filmmaker-driven cinema with substantial commercial and awards impact. This year, NEON picked up Jafar Panahi’s  “It Was Just An Accident” during Cannes, making it the sixt year in a row one of the company’s films has won the Palme d’Or. Federoff previously held roles at The Orchard, boutique label RADiUS, Oscilloscope Laboratories and Lionsgate. She received the Dan Fellman Show “E” Award at ShowEast in 2023.

Veronika Kwan Vandenberg

President of Distribution for Universal Pictures International (UPI)

As head of distribution at Universal Pictures International (UPI), Veronika Kwan Vandenberg oversees the studio’s international theatrical distribution operations across both company-owned territories and independent partner markets. Over the past year, she has led the global rollout of some of the studio’s biggest recent releases, including both “Wicked” films, “Jurassic World Rebirth” and the live-action remake of “How To Train Your Dragon,” helping drive sustained international box office growth across a wide range of genres and audience segments.

Prior to Universal, Kwan Vandenberg spent nearly three decades at Warner Bros. Pictures, including 18 years as President of International Distribution, steering the studio’s global theatrical strategy during some of its most successful box office periods. Over the course of her impressive career, she has supervised the international distribution of hundreds of titles and worked closely with filmmakers including Christopher Nolan, helping shape the modern global studio distribution model.

Cathleen Taff

President, Production Services, Franchise Management and Theatrical Distribution, Disney Entertainment, Studios

Overseeing global theatrical distribution is just one part of Cathleen Taff’s expansive remit at The Walt Disney Studios, where she works across Disney’s live-action and specialty banners as well as Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures. In addition to distribution, Taff leads franchise management and audience insights, helping align the studio’s theatrical strategy with long-term brand stewardship and audience engagement across The Walt Disney Company.

A 32-year Disney veteran, Taff also oversees production services, including technology, operations and labor relations supporting both theatrical and streaming content, along with Disney Theatrical Group and Disney Music Group. Across multiple eras of transformation for the studio business, she has played a central role in shaping Disney’s global distribution and franchise strategy during some of its most commercially and culturally significant periods.

Helen Lee-Kim

President of International, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group

Heading up the international licensing and distribution of Lionsgate’s diversified theatrical slate, Helen Lee-Kim plays a central role in shaping the studio’s global release and partner strategy across tentpole franchises and targeted genre titles. As a key member of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group’s leadership and content strategy team, she works across theatrical and multi-platform releases as the studio continues to expand its international footprint.

In 2025, Lee-Kim and her team guided the global rollout of a slate that included “Ballerina,” “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,” “The Long Walk,” “Flight Risk,” “Good Fortune” and the latest installment in the “Now You See Me” franchise. Since rejoining Lionsgate in 2017, she has overseen international licensing efforts that have generated nearly USD $1 billion in sales, while stewarding some of the studio’s most commercially durable and globally resonant properties.

Lisa Bunnell

President of Distribution, Focus Features

At Focus Features, Lisa Bunnell leads domestic theatrical distribution for a slate that continues to define the upper tier of specialty cinema. Known for pairing filmmaker-driven titles with disciplined release strategies, she has played a central role in positioning Focus releases for sustained theatrical runs in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

In 2025, Bunnell oversaw the releases of “Nosferatu,” “The Phoenician Scheme,” “Bugonia” and the upcoming literary adaptation “Hamnet,” the latter having already won several festival accolades, reinforcing the studio’s reputation for ambitious, adult-oriented cinema. She brings a rare dual perspective to the role, having spent 17 years at Loews Cineplex before serving as head film buyer for Landmark Theatres — an exhibition background that continues to inform her exhibitor-focused approach to specialty distribution.

Gina Glen

Director of Film Distribution, IMAX

At IMAX, Gina Glen plays a central role in bringing premium large-format releases to audiences worldwide, overseeing global film distribution across the company’s expanding international network. Working at the intersection of studio partnerships and exhibition, she helps coordinate the worldwide rollout of both original IMAX content and IMAX DMR titles, ensuring consistency and scale across diverse markets.

A veteran of more than two decades at IMAX, Glen has been instrumental in supporting the company’s growth as it continues to add new auditoriums and deepen relationships with exhibitors across multiple continents. Her long tenure has spanned numerous shifts in release patterns, technology and audience behavior, positioning her as a key steward of IMAX’s global distribution strategy during a period of sustained international expansion.

Toshi Yamasaki

President & CEO, TOHO-TOWA Company

As President and CEO of TOHO-TOWA, Toshi Yamasaki oversees one of Japan’s most influential motion picture importers and distributors, guiding the company’s acquisition, international partnerships and theatrical strategy across the Japanese market. A subsidiary of major Japanese entertainment company, TOHO, TOHO-TOWA has long handled releases for major Hollywood studios, with Yamasaki playing a central role in shaping and sustaining those global relationships.

In recent years, she has continued to expand the company’s international reach, including securing a new agreement that will see Warner Bros.’ feature slate released theatrically in Japan by the TOHO-TOWA Group beginning in 2026. Fluent in Japanese, English and French, Yamasaki was the first woman to serve as president within the TOHO Group and remains a key figure bridging Japanese exhibition and global studio distribution at a moment of renewed international collaboration.

Kathleen Gallagher

EVP & General Sales Manager Theatrical Distribution, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (North America)

Leading Universal’s theatrical sales operations across the United States and Canada, Kathleen Gallagher oversees domestic distribution strategy for the studio’s North American releases, working closely with exhibition partners and Universal’s international distribution teams. In her role, she manages regional sales execution across a wide-ranging slate, helping align national strategy with local market dynamics.

A longtime Universal executive, Gallagher has spent more than two decades with the company in senior leadership roles spanning theatrical and home entertainment. Prior to her current position, she served as EVP and Managing Director of North America for Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, experience that continues to inform her cross-platform perspective on distribution and exhibitor relations. Across multiple release cycles and market shifts, she has remained a steady presence within Universal’s domestic distribution leadership.

Elizabeth Trotman

CEO Australia & New Zealand, Studiocanal

As CEO of Studiocanal’s operations in Australia and New Zealand, Elizabeth Trotman oversees theatrical distribution across the region, guiding a slate that spans studio titles, prestige releases and local productions. During her tenure of almost a decade, she has been responsible for the distribution of hundreds of films and continues to play a central role in shaping Studiocanal’s presence across both markets. A veteran of the industry with experience across exhibition, marketing and distribution, Trotman previously held senior roles at Warner Bros. and the HOYTS Group before joining Studiocanal. Her career trajectory — from cinema exhibition to regional studio leadership — has given her a uniquely holistic perspective on the Australasian theatrical landscape.

Helen Moss

Head of International Theatrical Distribution, Amazon MGM Studios

At Amazon MGM Studios, Helen Moss was hired this past year to lead international theatrical distribution, overseeing global release strategy as the studio continues to expand and formalize its presence in cinemas worldwide. In the role, she works across territories and exhibition partners to build cohesive international rollouts for Amazon MGM’s growing theatrical slate.

Prior to joining Amazon MGM Studios, Moss spent more than 15 years at Paramount Pictures, where she oversaw international theatrical distribution across more than 70 markets and played a key role in the global success of major franchises and event titles. Known for her strategic approach to film planning and international execution, she brings crucial, in-depth experience that scales releases across diverse markets as Amazon MGM sharpens its global theatrical ambitions.

Rebecca Kearey

EVP and Head of International Marketing, Distribution & Business Operations, Searchlight Pictures

At Searchlight Pictures, Rebecca Kearey oversees international operations and business strategy, guiding the studio’s global marketing and distribution efforts across its slate. Having been with Searchlight since its inception, she has played a central role in shaping the company’s international identity and approach to releasing prestige, filmmaker-driven cinema worldwide. With over two decades in senior leadership, Kearey has supervised the international rollout of Searchlight’s releases across multiple territories, including numerous award-winning titles. In 2025, she also joined the Board of Directors of the British Film Institute (BFI) America, reflecting her standing within the global film community.

Jody Pope

Director, Distribution EMEA, Universal Pictures International

Overseeing theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures International across more than 20 territories in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Jody Pope plays a key role in shaping the studio’s regional release strategy and execution. She works closely with local teams and exhibition partners, helping coordinate the rollout of Universal’s theatrical slate, which this year included blockbusters like the “Wicked” films and “Jurassic World Rebirth.” Pope began her career in UK distribution, holding senior theatrical sales roles at Soda Pictures and Revolver Entertainment before joining Universal Pictures UK. She later moved into exhibition as Head of Film at Everyman Cinemas, experience that continues to inform her exhibitor-facing approach to distribution. She returned to Universal Pictures International in 2015.

Finola Mcloughlin

Executive Director, EMEA Theatrical Distribution, Warner Bros. Picture Group

Finola McLoughlin heads up theatrical distribution for Warner Bros. Picture Group across a wide EMEA footprint spanning Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltics, the Balkans, CIS markets, Africa, Portugal, Greece and Israel. In addition to overseeing these territories, she contributes to pan-regional initiatives drawing on more than 19 years at Warner Bros., including earlier experience working across Western European markets. McLoughlin began her career in anti-piracy operations at the Motion Picture Association (MPA) in Brussels before transitioning into studio distribution.

Subha-Orn (Soupy) Rathanamongkolmas

Vice President, South Asia, Universal Pictures

As Vice President for South Asia at Universal Pictures International, Subha-Orn “Soupy” Rathanamongkolmas oversees theatrical distribution across 18 markets spanning South and Southeast Asia. A veteran of nearly three decades in the industry, she began her career at United International Pictures (UIP) Thailand before spending 18 years at The Walt Disney Company, where she held senior regional roles including Head of Distribution for Studio Entertainment in Southeast Asia. Since joining Universal, Rathanamongkolmas has continued to build studio and exhibitor partnerships across the region, earning recognition in 2024 with CineAsia’s Distributor of the Year Award for her long-standing leadership, innovation and commitment to theatrical distribution.

Yit-Ching Lee

Vice President, Distribution EMEA, Paramount Pictures

At Paramount Pictures, Yit-Ching Lee oversees theatrical distribution across the EMEA region, a role she has held since joining the studio’s regional office in 2007. In 2025, she helped guide the rollout of major releases including “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” and “The Naked Gun,” continuing her long-standing role executing Paramount’s international theatrical strategy across diverse markets. In addition to her distribution leadership, Lee has served as chair and co-chair of Paramount’s inclusion and diversity initiatives for women and parents, and has participated as a mentor for UNIC’s Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme. She began her career at United International Pictures, working on the development of international emerging markets.

Mary Kouinoglou

Senior Vice President, Theatrical, EMEA Licensees, Sony Pictures

Mary Kouinoglou leads theatrical distribution strategy for Sony Pictures across the studio’s EMEA licensee markets, working closely with local partners and exhibitors to coordinate regional release planning and execution. In her role, she supports the rollout of Sony’s theatrical slate including recent releases such as “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle,” “28 Years Later” and “Sisu: Road to Revenge.” Kouinoglou is participating in UNIC’s Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme this year, reflecting her engagement in industry collaboration and commitment to leadership across the region.

Nathalie Grison

Director of Distribution, The Walt Disney Company France

Nathalie Grison is Director of Distribution at The Walt Disney Company France, managing theatrical distribution strategy across the studio’s releases in the French market. Appointed to the role in May 2024, she works closely with the marketing team to coordinate release planning and execution of Disney’s slate, which this year includes the live-action “Lilo & Stitch,” “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”

Grison joined the company in 1993, when it was named Gaumont Buena Vista International, beginning her career in finance before moving into studio operations and sales, ultimately becoming head of programming for France. With more than three decades of experience within Disney’s French operations, she brings deep institutional knowledge and a long-standing understanding of the French theatrical landscape to her current role.

Satomi Odake

Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Gaga

Satomi Odake is Chief Operating Officer at Gaga, one of Japan’s most respected independent film distributors, where she has spent nearly three decades shaping the company’s international and domestic film strategy. Having joined Gaga in 1997, she has held a series of senior roles across foreign film acquisition, licensing, procurement and international sales, including leading the company’s global division and overseeing the acquisition and release of numerous internationally acclaimed and Oscar-winning titles. Odake was elevated to COO in 2025 and is currently helping expand Gaga’s presence as a key bridge between Japanese audiences and global cinema by launching Noroshi, a division dedicated to distributing international arthouse titles.

Nathalie Cieutat

Deputy Managing Director, Distribution, Pathé Films

Nathalie Cieutat has led theatrical distribution at Pathé Films for nearly four years, bringing significant experience from across both French exhibition and distribution markets. After training in distribution and exhibition at La Fémis, she held senior sales roles at Warner Bros. France and Wild Bunch Distribution before spending six years on the exhibition side as Director of Programming for Les Cinémas Pathé Gaumont. Since returning to Pathé’s distribution arm, she has helped shape a slate that blends French and international cinema, including recent releases such as Paolo Sorrentino’s “Parthenope” and “Le Chantier,” alongside a range of culturally resonant titles.

Melanie Valera

SVP General Sales Manager, Paramount Pictures

Melanie Valera is Senior Vice President and General Sales Manager at Paramount Pictures, where she oversees the studio’s domestic theatrical sales operations nationwide. A 20-year Paramount veteran, Valera rose through the ranks after previous roles at DreamWorks and Miramax, bringing considerable experience in exhibitor relations, regional sales strategy and team leadership. Widely respected throughout the cinema community, she has long been active in industry philanthropy and mentorship, serving on the boards of the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation and the Motion Picture Club, and as the founding president of Film Row, an initiative dedicated to cultivating the next generation of industry leaders. In 2024, Valera was honored with ShowEast’s Al Shapiro Distinguished Service Award, recognizing her longstanding commitment to giving back to the theatrical community.

Susan Cotliar

Vice President, Cinema Partnerships, The Walt Disney Studios

At The Walt Disney Studios, Susan Cotliar leads cinema partnerships, overseeing in-theatre marketing strategy across Disney’s theatrical slate in close collaboration with exhibition partners throughout North America. Her remit spans trailer placement, lobby and on-site marketing campaigns, and the coordination of in-cinema assets designed to support theatrical releases. Cotliar previously spent 27 years at Twentieth Century Fox, where she rose to Senior Vice President of In-Theatre Marketing before joining Disney following the studio’s acquisition of Fox. In addition to her studio responsibilities, she serves on the board of Variety of Southern California, reflecting her broader engagement with the industry community.

Patricia Gonzalez

EVP, In-Theatre Marketing, Paramount Pictures

Patricia Gonzalez continues to head up in-theatre marketing strategy for Paramount Pictures’ domestic theatrical releases, working closely with exhibition partners on everything from trailer placement and on-site activations to exhibitor-specific campaigns and theatrical fan events. In 2025, her team supported the cinema rollout of titles including “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” and “The Naked Gun,” continuing Paramount’s long-standing emphasis on exhibitor collaboration and theatrical visibility. Gonzalez has spent more than two decades at Paramount, following a decade leading in-theatre marketing services at DreamWorks. She is widely respected for her vast experience and exhibitor-first approach to studio marketing. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and serves on the board of Variety of Southern California.

Giselle Abbud

Managing Director, Diamond Films Latam & General Manager, Diamond Films México

Giselle Abbud is pulling double duty as both Managing Director of Diamond Films Latam, while also serving as General Manager of Diamond Films México, where she leads theatrical distribution, sales strategy and exhibitor relations across one of the region’s most competitive markets. With more than 20 years in film distribution, she has guided the release of over 300 films, spanning major international franchises and landmark local successes, including some of Mexico’s highest-grossing domestic titles. Abbud joined Diamond Films more than a decade ago after earlier roles in distribution at Universal Pictures. Earlier this year, she became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Amy Wood

Vice-President, Global Theatrical Distribution, Crunchyroll

Amy Wood has been kept busy over the past year leading global theatrical distribution and crafting international release strategies for Crunchyroll’s expanding slate of anime features. Based in Los Angeles, she manages distribution teams spanning North America, Europe and Australia, coordinating global rollouts for major releases including “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle” and “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.” Prior to joining Crunchyroll, Wood spent a decade at Lionsgate overseeing international distribution, following on from roles on the exhibition side at Pacific and Arclight Theatres — experience that continues to inform her exhibitor-first approach to anime’s growing theatrical footprint.

Ann-Elizabeth Crotty

EVP, Global Customer Experience, Marketing, Sales & Operations Specialist, Sony Pictures Entertainment

In 2025, Ann-Elizabeth Crotty celebrated her 25th anniversary with Sony Pictures Entertainment, where she heads up the team that works with worldwide cinema operators, theatres and even streamers to market the studio’s movies. She has been in exhibitor relations since the late 1990s and has built a reputation as a hands-on leader with a thorough understanding of how studio priorities translate in theatrical settings. Over the course of her career, Crotty has overseen exhibitor-facing initiatives across numerous global releases, which in 2025 helped bring popular franchises back to movie theatres, including “Karate Kid: Legends,” “28 Years Later,” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer.”

Kezia Williams

Managing Director, UK & Ireland, Universal Pictures International

Kezia Williams heads Universal Pictures International’s operations in the UK and Ireland as Managing Director, overseeing theatrical distribution, marketing and day-to-day business across one of the studio’s key territories. She brings more than two decades of experience in film distribution and marketing, having previously held senior roles at Entertainment One, where she served as Managing Director of the UK film business. Williams is returning to Universal, having worked on the studio’s UK marketing team earlier in her career. She is also Chair of MediCinema and a voting member of BAFTA.

Karyn A. Temple

Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel, Motion Picture Association

Karyn A. Temple plays a critical role in protecting the films that reach cinemas worldwide in her capacity as Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel of the Motion Picture Association (MPA). She manages the organization’s global legal affairs and content protection efforts, working with governments, law enforcement agencies and industry partners to combat piracy and strengthen copyright enforcement. A leading authority on copyright law, Temple previously served as Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office for eight years and earlier held senior litigation roles at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), where she focused on anti-piracy enforcement. Her work continues to shape the legal framework supporting the global theatrical ecosystem.

Christine Eloy

Managing Director, Europa Distribution

Christine Eloy has spent more than a decade representing the interests of independent European distributors as Managing Director of Europa Distribution, the association of independent film distributors founded in 2006. Under her leadership, the network has grown to include around 130 leading distributors across 32 countries in Europe and beyond, serving as both a professional network and a think tank dedicated to strengthening the circulation of independent and non-national European cinema. Eloy steers Europa Distribution’s activities spanning training, knowledge exchange, advocacy and peer-to-peer collaboration, helping members navigate shared challenges around audience development, marketing innovation and policy engagement while reinforcing the sector’s role in cultural diversity and independent theatrical distribution.

Arianna Bocco

Head of Global Distribution, MUBI

Arianna Bocco was hired this year by MUBI to help build the company’s global distribution capabilities. She is responsible for MUBI’s international theatrical strategy as it continues to expand its footprint as both a distributor and a global streaming platform. She joined MUBI following a 16-year tenure at IFC Films, where she rose to the role of president and helped shape the company’s reputation for filmmaker-driven independent cinema. Throughout her career, Bocco has been involved in the release and positioning of a wide range of acclaimed titles, bringing her crucial experience in acquisitions, international rollout and specialty distribution to her new role. Prior to IFC Films, she held senior positions at Miramax Films and the Gersh Agency, and began her career at New Line Cinema and Fine Line Features. Bocco is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and BAFTA, and previously served as Chair of BAFTA New York.

Silvia Cruz

CEO, Vitrine Filmes

Silvia Cruz is the founder and CEO of Vitrine Filmes, the Brazilian distribution company she launched in 2010 with a mission to bring local and international arthouse cinema to audiences nationwide. Under her leadership, Vitrine has distributed more than 150 titles and established itself as a key platform for contemporary Brazilian auteurs, including films by Kleber Mendonça Filho such as “Aquarius,” “Bacurau,” and the upcoming “The Secret Agent,” which is currently part of the international awards conversation. Since expanding operations to Spain in 2019, Cruz has overseen Vitrine’s activities across both territories, balancing prestigious cinema with audience-building initiatives that strengthen the independent theatrical ecosystem.

A former executive at Pandora Filmes, Europa Filmes and Coração da Selva, she is widely regarded for her close collaborations with filmmakers and her role in amplifying Brazilian cinema on the global stage, as Vitrine marks its 15th anniversary in 2025.

Anna Chettle

Managing Director, International, A24

A24 continues to be an indie darling of the cinema business, releasing hits like “The Materialists” and “Warfare” over the past year. Playing a pivotal role in the company’s continued expansion beyond North America, Anna Chettle oversees A24’s international sales and distribution operations. Based in London, she leads A24’s international strategy across multiple territories as the studio increasingly handles global releases directly rather than relying solely on local partners. Chettle joined A24 after five years at Hanway Films.

Ariane Toscan du Plantier

Director of French and International Cinema Distribution, Gaumont

Ariane Toscan du Plantier oversees French and international cinema distribution at Gaumont, managing the studio’s theatrical releases in France and across international markets. A veteran with nearly three decades at the company, she leads a distribution team of more than 30. In addition to her studio responsibilities, Toscan du Plantier plays an active role in France’s broader film ecosystem as vice-president of the Association for the Promotion of Cinema (APC), the body overseeing the César Awards, demonstrating her long-standing influence on France’s national film culture.

Katarina Nyman

Country Manager & Director of Film Distribution, Nordisk Film, Finland

Katarina Nyman is Country Manager and Director of Film Distribution for Nordisk Film in Finland, where she has spent more than two decades overseeing the theatrical release of both local and international titles. A strong advocate for Finnish cinema, she has played a central role in positioning Nordisk Film as a leading force in the domestic market, including the release of major local successes such as “Sisu.”

Beyond her studio responsibilities, Nyman is President of the Finnish Chamber of Films and is active in industry development, including currently serving as a mentor in the UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme, reflecting her commitment to strengthening both the national film sector and the next generation of industry leaders.

Eve Gabereau

Director of Distribution, Vue Lumière

Eve Gabereau leads distribution at Vue Lumière, the newly launched film distribution arm of international cinema chain Vue, where she is responsible for shaping the company’s theatrical strategy and release model. Appointed at the beginning of this year to establish and run the division, Gabereau brings substantial experience from the independent sector, having founded and led Modern Films and, before that, co-founded Soda Pictures, where she handled hundreds of acclaimed international and arthouse titles.

Known for championing world cinema and filmmaker-driven releases, she has built a career spanning distribution, production and strategic partnerships, positioning her to bridge exhibition and distribution as Vue Lumière expands its presence in the theatrical marketplace.

Sarah Timlick

Head of Theatrical Distribution, Canada, Amazon MGM Studios

Sarah Timlick began a new role at Amazon MGM Studios in 2025, where she now oversees the company’s theatrical distribution in Canada. Her new position follows more than a decade in Canadian distribution, most recently as Head of Theatrical Distribution at Elevation Pictures, where she managed the release of a wide range of high-profile independent and awards-driven titles. Timlick began her career at Alliance Films and is widely regarded as a leading voice in the Canadian distribution community, serving on the boards of the Canadian Association of Film Distributors and Exporters (CAFDE) and Canadian Picture Pioneers, and as the youngest executive to be elected Chair of the Ontario Film Authority Board of Directors.

Ladun Awobokun

Chief Content Officer, FilmOne Entertainment

Ladun Awobokun is Chief Content Officer at FilmOne Entertainment, where she is in charge of content strategy across distribution, acquisitions, licensing and studio relations throughout West Africa. Promoted to the role in 2024, she oversees the curation and release of both Hollywood studio titles and Nollywood films, while also guiding FilmOne’s approach to cinema, streaming and ancillary platforms as the regional market continues to evolve. Awobokun has been a central figure in advancing greater transparency and standardization within the West African film industry, including playing a key role in the adoption of Comscore across the region. With experience spanning finance, marketing and film distribution, she is widely regarded as one of the leading strategic voices shaping the future of Nollywood and theatrical exhibition in English-speaking West Africa.

Elba McAllister

CEO, Cineplex (Colombia)

Elba McAllister is the co-founder and CEO of Cineplex, the Colombia-based independent distribution company she launched in 1993, which has since grown into a key platform for arthouse and independent cinema across Latin America. Over more than three decades, McAllister has overseen the distribution of over 500 films across theatrical, home entertainment and television windows. Under her leadership, Cineplex has developed tailored distribution strategies spanning festivals, cinemas, OTT platforms and television, releasing an average of 20-25 films per year across multiple territories.

In addition to distribution, McAllister represents Colombian films for international sales, helping bridge Latin American cinema with audiences worldwide.

Erika Lewington

Marketing Director, Universal Pictures UK & Ireland

As Marketing Director for Universal Pictures UK & Ireland, Erika Lewington shapes the theatrical campaigns across the studio’s releases in the territory. She brings more than 20 years of experience in film marketing, having previously held senior roles at Sony Pictures and The Walt Disney Company before joining Universal, where she is now in her ninth year. Throughout her career, Lewington has worked on many of the industry’s most recognizable franchises, including James Bond, “Despicable Me,” “Star Wars,” “Jurassic World” and Marvel titles. Most recently, she oversaw the UK and Ireland campaigns for “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” and “Wicked,” both of which delivered record-breaking results.

Camila Pacheco

Executive Marketing Director, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Drawing on more than two decades in theatrical campaigns, Camila Pacheco shapes Sony Pictures Entertainment’s release strategies across Brazil and Latin America, overseeing promotion for the studio’s regional slate. She joined Sony in 2019 after more than a decade at 20th Century Fox, where she served as Marketing Director in Brazil and led major studio campaigns across multiple platforms and territories.

In recent years, Pacheco has been closely associated with some of Sony’s most high-profile releases in the region, including the Brazilian title “Ainda Estou Aqui” (“I’m Still Here”), which went on to receive Academy Award recognition, as well as a wide range of global studio films.

Isabella Okechukwu

General Manager, Silverbird Film Distribution

At Silverbird Film Distribution, Isabella Okechukwu oversees the company’s theatrical distribution operations across West Africa, guiding film acquisitions, studio relationships and market expansion in one of the region’s fastest-growing cinema territories. With more than a decade of experience spanning distribution and exhibition, she has played a key role in strengthening Silverbird’s partnerships with Hollywood studios such as Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures while expanding the company’s footprint across Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia. Okechukwu began her career with Silverbird Cinemas, rising through operational leadership roles before transitioning into distribution, where she has been closely involved in bringing both global studio releases and locally produced films to market.

Shannah Miller

Vice President, Marketing, Fathom Entertainment

Shannah Miller manages marketing and communications at Fathom Entertainment, positioning one of the world’s leading specialty distributors of theatrical event content. Since joining the company in 2021, she has guided campaigns for roughly 100 event cinema titles each year, reaching thousands of screens across a global exhibition network, while working closely with studios, content partners and exhibitors.

Miller played a central role in the company’s January 2025 rebrand from Fathom Events to Fathom Entertainment and has helped build strategic partnerships with organizations including Fandango, IMAX, Walmart and Xbox. Prior to Fathom, she held senior leadership roles at Atom Tickets and began her career in the music industry, serving as a senior executive across several Sony Music labels.

Pia Grünler

Head of Nordic Theatrical Distribution, SF Studios

With more than 25 years of experience in Swedish film distribution, Pia Grünler oversees SF Studios’ theatrical business across the Nordic region, with responsibility for both strategy and team leadership. Appointed Nordic Head of Theatrical Distribution in 2023, she directs the release of SF Studios’ own productions alongside local-language titles from leading independent producers, as well as major international films through long-standing studio partnerships, including Sony Pictures and MGM. Grünler joined SF Studios in 2016 after holding senior roles across sales and marketing at Nordisk, and is widely regarded for her extensive market knowledge and ability to navigate a rapidly evolving theatrical landscape.

Danielle Bonatto

Sales Director, Brazil, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Danielle Bonatto has more than 15 years of experience in theatrical distribution and sales, and currently leads Sony Pictures Entertainment’s sales operations in Brazil. She joined the studio in 2019 and was promoted to Sales Director after serving in regional distribution roles across Latin America. Bonatto’s career includes senior positions at Warner Bros. Pictures, Diamond Films and Universal Pictures, with experience spanning major franchises such as “Harry Potter,” “Fast & Furious,” “Despicable Me,” and “Spider-Man.” Over the past year, Bonatto participated in the release of Sony’s 2025 Academy Award-winning title “Ainda Estou Aqui” (“I’m Still Here”), as well as the anime hit “Demon Slayer: Castle Infinity.”

Shelley Schulz

Vice President, Theatrical Sales, Angel Studios

Shelley Schulz heads up theatrical sales at Angel Studios, where she manages release strategies and exhibitor partnerships for the studio’s growing slate. Her career began in exhibition at AMC Theatres before she became an independent sales and theatrical distribution consultant, experience that has given her a strong understanding of the needs and dynamics on both sides of the distribution equation. Since joining Angel Studios, Schulz has risen through the ranks, helping guide the theatrical launches of titles such as “His Only Son,” “Sound of Freedom,” and “David,” while building trusted relationships with exhibitors nationwide.

Natalie Ralph

Director of Distribution, Europe, MUBI

Natalie Ralph has been a key figure in building MUBI’s European theatrical presence since joining the company in 2021, helping shape its international cinema strategy as the streamer-turned-distributor expanded into wider theatrical releases. Her background spans roles at the BFI and Soda Pictures, followed by six years with StudioCanal UK, where she worked on major campaigns including “Paddington 2,” “Manchester by the Sea” and “Room.” At MUBI, Ralph has overseen the rollout of a growing slate of arthouse titles, contributing to box office successes such as “The Worst Person in the World,” “Aftersun,” and “The Substance,” reinforcing the company’s commitment to cinema-first distribution across Europe.

Michelle Maddalena

Global Content and Industry Relations, Dolby Laboratories

Kymberli Frueh

EVP, Content Acquisitions and Programming, Trafalgar Releasing

Kymberli Frueh oversees content acquisitions and programming at Trafalgar Releasing, where she was elevated to Executive Vice President following a record-breaking year for the global event cinema distributor. In her role, she leads relationships with artists, producers and rights holders across a wide range of event content, spanning music, film, faith-based programming and specialty releases. Frueh has been central to the expansion of Trafalgar’s slate, which has grown to its largest-ever lineup, building on a track record that includes high-profile concert films and live cinema events alongside theatrical presentations of cultural programming. Prior to joining Trafalgar, she spent a decade leading programming at Fathom Events, helping establish event cinema as a significant and sustainable part of the global theatrical marketplace.

Cristina Batlle

Head of Theatrical Distribution, Studio TF1

Cristina Batlle has been tapped to build and lead the theatrical distribution division at Studio TF1 as the Paris-based media group expands its cinema ambitions. Joining from Warner Bros. Discovery where she most recently served as Executive Director of Theatrical Distribution in France, Batlle brings extensive experience across sales and distribution leadership roles, including extended tenures at Warner Bros. France, Studiocanal and TF1 International. In her new role, she is tasked with establishing Studio TF1’s in-house theatrical operation, including assembling a dedicated team, as the company prepares to distribute its own film productions in France beginning in 2026. Her appointment is seen as a cornerstone move as Studio TF1 accelerates plans to significantly scale its film output over the coming years.

Nicole Weis

Head of Theatrical Sales, IFC

Heading up theatrical sales for IFC, Nicole Weis has been instrumental in shaping release strategies across the company’s labels, including IFC Films, RLJE Films and Shudder. Since joining the company in 2023, she has helped drive some of IFC’s strongest recent domestic performances, particularly with independent genre titles such as “Late Night With the Devil,” “In a Violent Nature,” and “Good Boy,” through flexible, exhibitor-focused booking approaches.

Prior to IFC, Weis spent four years at A24 as Vice President of Sales and Distribution, contributing to the theatrical success of films including “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “Midsommar,” “Minari” and “The Whale.” She began her career at Universal Pictures, where she spent seven years rising through the distribution ranks, experience that continues to inform her pragmatic, data-driven approach to theatrical sales.

Amanda Rufener

Vice President, Account Executive, PaperAirplane Media

Amanda Rufener plays a central role at PaperAirplane Media, working closely with studios, distributors and exhibitors to support in-theatre marketing campaigns across North America and select international markets. In her role, she helps shape and execute theatrical marketing strategies ranging from digital asset creation to coordinated exhibitor programs with national, regional and independent cinema partners. Rufener has also been deeply involved in the development of PaperAirplane’s group sales management platform, The Tower, which has become a key tool for exhibitors and distributors running large-scale group sales initiatives. Prior to joining PaperAirplane, she spent more than a decade at Lionsgate as Vice President of Exhibitor Relations, where she collaborated on in-theatre campaigns for over 190 theatrical releases, including franchises such as “The Hunger Games” and “John Wick,” as well as films like “La La Land” and “Knives Out.”

Odessa Stafford

Senior Manager, Film Distribution, EMEA, IMAX

Odessa Stafford manages film distribution for IMAX across the EMEA region, coordinating releases and partnerships across more than 50 markets and a network that continues to expand. With over 15 years of experience in theatrical distribution, she works closely with major Hollywood studios, regional sub-distributors and exhibitors to deliver IMAX presentations of global blockbusters, local-language films, event cinema and alternative content. Stafford joined IMAX in 2020 and has steadily expanded her remit, following earlier roles at Paramount Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox in Ireland, where she built a strong foundation in exhibition relations, booking strategy and campaign execution. Widely respected for her market knowledge and operational fluency, she plays a key role in aligning IMAX’s premium-format strategy with the realities of diverse theatrical markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Katrin Mathe-Cotillon

Senior Manager of Theatrical Marketing EMEA, Crunchyroll

Katrin Mathe-Cotillon shapes theatrical marketing strategy for Crunchyroll across EMEA, guiding the regional rollout of anime feature films in more than 80 territories. With over 13 years of experience spanning theatrical and event cinema, she oversees integrated campaigns that combine creative positioning, partnerships and audience-driven activations to expand anime’s footprint on the big screen. Most recently, Mathe-Cotillon led EMEA campaigns for titles including “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” and “Jujutsu Kaisen,” delivering event-led releases that reinforced anime’s growing cultural and commercial impact across the region. Her earlier career includes senior roles at Kinepolis Group and CGR Events. Mathe-Cotillon is also a participant in this year’s UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme.

The post CJ’s Top Women In Global Distribution – 2025 appeared first on Celluloid Junkie.

With the story fully developed, Thurman joined the project to play The Bride, while the supporting cast was rounded out by Daryl Hannah, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Madsen and David Carradine as the film’s namesake (Warren Beatty was famously courted for the role originally but declined it). Production was delayed when Thurman became pregnant with her second child, however re-casting the role was out of the question for Tarantino.

Once filming commenced in June 2002, it wasn’t until “Kill Bill” entered the editing phase that the producers suggested that Tarantino split the film into two, as it became clear the runtime was heading towards the four-hours plus mark. Understandably, Miramax was nervous about the box office fate of releasing such a lengthy, hyper-violent, exploitation, martial-arts picture.

Tarantino agreed to the split, primarily because doing so would save him from having to make any major cuts to the film, including keeping the revolutionary anime sequence at the film’s centre. With some additional edits mandated by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), he maneuvered their requests by transitioning one of the standout battle scenes to black and white, thereby diluting the impact of some of the bloodier, gorier images, satiating the MPAA in the process.

The Cannes Cut
After their release, both “Vol. I” and “Vol. II” would each go on to be critically acclaimed box office hits, grossing over USD $181 million and $152 million worldwide, respectively. Then, a couple of years later in 2006, Tarantino returned to his original idea and premiered “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” as one film at the Cannes Film Festival, albeit with some minor editorial changes necessitated by the new flow of the picture (for example, Vol. I’s cliffhanger when it’s revealed that The Bride’s child is still alive was removed, and that revelation is saved for the third act).

Shifting this major plot point to the climax of the film drives home the emotional impact for the audience as we learn of the child’s fate at the same time as The Bride, adding fuel to her fire as she now realizes the stakes have been raised.

Following this showing, Tarantino would screen the film for the public occasionally on a very limited basis, most frequently in Los Angeles at the New Beverly Cinema (which he owns). More recently, the film enjoyed a very successful run during September 2025, at the Vista Theater in Los Angeles (which he also now owns).

The Long Journey to the Present Day Release
Finally and most recently, it was formally announced on 1 October that Lionsgate would release “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” in theatres across the United States on 5 December 2025. A new trailer and teaser poster accompanied the announcement, as well as an additional payoff one-sheet and multiple motion posters, but otherwise the marketing campaign has largely relied on word-of-mouth and fan enthusiasm.

This approach has worked, as internet chatter successfully ramped up anticipation and, of particular interest, new to this release is an additional eight-minute anime sequence. Tarantino has stated that he originally wanted to include the sequence in the 2003 / 2004 release, but it could not be completed in time, nor was there budget for it, which was fortunately not the case this time around.

In fact, the newly animated scene is considered to be a “lost” chapter to the film and plays following the end credits. In the scene, Yuki, the twin sister of school girl assassin Gogo, seeks revenge on The Bride for killing her sister during the battle of The House of Blue Leaves. While the scene does not dramatically alter the story’s overall arc, it enriches the O-Ren Ishii subplot. It also premiered separately within the video game Fortnite, introducing the scene to a younger audience.Along with a planned 15-minute intermission, this definitive version of the film carries a runtime of 4 hours and 35 minutes, making it approximately 27 minutes longer than the “Cannes cut” that first premiered in 2006. The cherry on top for cinephiles is that the film is being screened in 70mm, as well as 35mm, at select locations. 

Released in roughly 1000 US movie theatres – and internationally – this weekend (December 6-7), “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a rare 100% rating from both critics and moviegoers.

Box office business has also been robust with the film earning USD $3.25 million with a per-screen average of USD $2800 on its opening weekend. These are impressive numbers, especially for a movie as long as this one. In a time when it’s often feast or famine for new releases in theaters, it’s always encouraging to see what could technically be considered a repertory title generating this level of ticket sales, illustrating the importance of the big screen theatrical event.

Tarantino’s Legacy and Future
“Kill Bill Vol. I” and “Vol. II,” and now “The Whole Bloody Affair,” were collectively marketed as “the fourth film by Quentin Tarantino,” with the filmmaker himself proclaiming on numerous occasions that his intentions are to formally retire from directing after his tenth feature. For those keeping score, he has directed nine thus far.

For Tarantino’s legacy, going back and reshaping those two films into the version he envisioned is a big win, not only for him but for other filmmakers as well. For anyone who ever had to compromise their vision to meet certain commercial criteria or couldn’t do all the things they wanted to do due to various constraints (budgetary or otherwise), the release of “The Whole Bloody Affair” marks an inspirational example of what is possible and shows Tarantino’s own long-term commitment to artistic control and, indeed, self-revision. Directors’ cuts may not be anything new but what Tarantino has done with “Kill Bill” represents a unique achievement.

While waiting patiently for his next – and supposedly final – film, we can relish this opportunity to revisit his magnum opus as never before and as a full expression of one of his most iconic creations. “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” shows just how loyally audiences will champion a director’s vision, at a time when commerciality is often prioritized over artistic creativity.

The post “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair”: The Long Journey to the Big Screen appeared first on Celluloid Junkie.

The Oscar winning Brazilian drama has become both a box office triumph and a fitting metaphor for the region’s cinema industry. “They told us that cinema would disappear,” Vargas told the audience of exhibitors, distributors, and producers. “They said no one would go to the movies anymore. But here we are. ‘Ainda estou aqui.’”

That refrain carried through not just his CineLATAM address but also his appearance two weeks later on the CJ Cinema Summit, where he joined Thomas MacCalla and myself to discuss updated data and insights on the Latin American theatrical market. Across both presentations, Vargas painted a picture of an industry that has not only recovered faster than most of the world but continues to grow in ways that defy old assumptions.

He noted that “for decades, the prophets of apocalypse have been telling us that cinema will end. Other platforms may come and go, but cinema remains. Cinema will live as long as boyfriends and girlfriends live — as long as people still want to sit together in the dark to feel something.”

A Region That’s Outpacing the World
According to Comscore’s latest figures, Ibero-America has recorded the strongest theatrical recovery of any global region. By the end of 2024, cinema attendance across the region had reached 73% of its pre-pandemic average (2017–2019), outpacing North America (61%), Asia-Pacific (63%), and Europe / Middle East (72%).

Even more impressive, Ibero-America posted the second-highest two-year growth rate (+5%) behind only Asia-Pacific’s 16%. Vargas pointed out that if China and India were removed from Asia-Pacific’s calculation — both markets large enough to skew the numbers — Ibero-America would effectively lead the world in growth.

“We’ve increased our global market share from 10.7% before the pandemic to 12% in 2024,” he said. “That’s a big jump when you consider that these are figures in US dollars, which means exchange rate fluctuations could easily work against us. Yet we’re still growing.”

While the early 2025 numbers show a 6% decline in grosses compared to 2024 (USD $359 million versus USD $382 million through August), Vargas was quick to put that dip in context, noting that “the first half of the year is always uneven. Post-COVID, the second semester has become far more important to the business than the first.”

Doing More With Less
One of the region’s greatest strengths, Vargas emphasized, is its efficiency. Latin America represents 19.5% of total box office in the Americas, 41.8% of admissions, but only 29% of the continent’s screens. In other words, Latin American exhibitors are achieving far more with fewer resources.

The region’s footprint has continued to expand even as other parts of the world consolidate. Compared to 2019, the number of cinema locations is up 6%, and total screen count has grown 2%, reaching roughly 16,000 screens across nearly 3,000 sites.

“If cinema weren’t a viable business, no one would be investing in it,” Vargas said during the CJ Cinema Summit. “But there’s a non-stop wave of investment. It’s not cheap to build a cinema, especially now that premium experiences are the norm. Yet developers and exhibitors keep doing it — because people still love going to the movies.”

Country by Country: Resilient Audiences
The region’s top markets are largely holding steady, with some intriguing movement beneath the surface.

Mexico remains the powerhouse, generating USD $539 million in grosses and 143 million admissions across 7,377 screens — roughly one-third of the region’s total attendance. Brazil follows with USD $290 million and 81 million tickets sold, even as its per-screen averages dipped slightly. Peru continues to punch above its weight, with an average of nearly 36,000 admissions per screen, the highest in Ibero-America every year since 2017. Ecuador and Venezuela were the only two countries to show real growth in admissions compared to 2024, with Venezuela up 3% despite ongoing economic challenges.

“Ecuador managed something remarkable,” Vargas said. “It’s not only one of the few markets growing in admissions, it also reduced its average ticket price. That combination is rare — and it shows how smart pricing and programming strategies can stimulate attendance.”

Local Content on the Rise
While Hollywood continues to dominate regional screens — US titles accounted for nearly 45% of all admissions between 2020 and 2025 — Latin American productions are beginning to reclaim audience share. Local films made up 5.5% of total admissions in 2025, up from 5.1% the year before.

At the top of the list sits “Ainda Estou Aqui,” distributed regionally by Sony’s Colombia Pictures. The film grossed over USD $41 million worldwide, selling more than six million tickets across 33 countries. It’s now the fourth highest-grossing Brazilian film in history and the seventh by attendance.

Other local titles also made their mark. The Mexican hit “Mesa de Regalos” (distributed by Disney) captured 10% of the domestic admissions market, while Argentina’s “Homo Argentum” and a wave of smaller Spanish-language dramas helped push regional releases past 250 titles for the year, a 20% increase over 2024.

Premium Formats and the Power of Experience
The audience may be changing, but Vargas believes the secret to Latin America’s strength lies in its commitment to premium experiences. He often repeated the line, “Content is king, but experience is queen.” That philosophy is evident in the rapid growth of VIP auditoriums — a format invented in Mexico in 1998 by Cinépolis. As of August 2025, there were more than 1,000 VIP screens across the region, accounting for over 5% of total box office revenue, up from just 2.6% a decade earlier.

3D has also remained a consistent draw in the region. Across Ibero-America, 6.3% of admissions this year came from 3D titles, with Paraguay (27%), Uruguay (18%), and Argentina (16%) leading the pack. Vargas considers 3D “a premium format that behaves like one,” noting that “it depends entirely on content — people aren’t naïve. They’ll pay extra for the right movie, the right experience, not just the technology. When we release a film like “Avatar” or “Inside Out 2” in 3D, you can feel the difference in the numbers.”

The Alternative Content Boom
Another major shift since the pandemic has been the rise of alternative content (also known as event cinema) — everything from concert films to esports events. Once a negligible niche, this category has surged to 1.4% of total grosses and 1.08% of admissions in 2025, up from 0.26% in 2019.

Vargas credits the trend to younger audiences and creative programming by exhibitors. “Eighty-five percent of alt-content admissions are from people under 25,” he explained. “That’s who we need in our theatres — young people. Taylor Swift’s concert movie was a perfect example. The pre-sales were unbelievable.”

Between 2018 and 2024, total box office from alternative content in Ibero-America quadrupled, rising from just USD $10 million to nearly USD $40 million, before easing slightly this year as the market normalized.

Big Movies Are Bigger In Latin America
Vargas often emphasizes that cinema is not a medium but an experience. That philosophy is reflected in how major titles perform in the region. Four of the ten highest-grossing films in Ibero-America’s history were released after 2020, and five of the ten most-watched films came out post-pandemic. The single highest-grossing and most-attended title in the region’s history — Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” — was released just last year.

“If we weren’t in good shape, how could that happen?” Vargas asked. “Half of our biggest movies ever came out in the past five years. That tells you something.”

Even in 2025, with a somewhat softer release calendar, blockbusters like “Mission: Impossible 8” and “Superman” performed strongly across key territories, though regional preferences sometimes diverged from those in North America. Whereas “Inside Out 2” represented 11% of the US box office in its release window, it accounted for an extraordinary 20% share in Ibero-America.

The Story Behind the Numbers
Numbers only tell part of the story, and Vargas is the first to admit it. Beneath the charts, he sees an emotional truth about why people keep returning to theatres — a truth that may explain why the region is outpacing much of the world.

He often reminds audiences that the cinema industry is not in the business of selling widgets or toasters. “We’re in the most human art form of all — storytelling,” he said in Miami. “To understand our industry, you have to understand that we’re in the business of connection. That’s why, even after everything, people keep coming back.”

That connection, he added, extends across borders. In many ways, Ibero-America’s success lies in its shared identity — a region bound by language, culture, and a deep belief in the theatrical experience. “Ibero-America is the most vibrant region in the world,” Vargas said. “It’s not just Latin America; it’s Spain, Portugal, and all of us who share a love for cinema and language. We’re telling our stories, and we’re not going anywhere.”

A Market Built on Persistence
If there’s a through-line connecting all of Vargas’s observations — from the growth of premium formats to the rebound of local productions — it’s persistence.

“Persistence is the productive sister of resilience,” he told the CineLATAM audience. “Resilience is enduring; persistence is enduring with purpose. Cinema is persistence and as long as we keep telling stories, we’ll keep finding audiences.”

Indeed, for exhibitors, distributors, and filmmakers across the region, it’s a reminder that despite economic headwinds, streaming competition, and changing audience habits, Latin America’s cinemas have proven remarkably durable.

As Vargas put it, “People said the cinemas would close, but we’re still opening new ones. They said streaming would kill us, but we have more releases than we did in 2019. They said the audience was gone, but we’re selling hundreds of millions of tickets every year. The numbers speak for themselves — and they say: Ainda estou aqui! I’m still here.”

The post Latin American Theatrical Market Defies Predictions, Emerging as Global Recovery Leader appeared first on Celluloid Junkie.

The 2025 list will be published on December 18th, following the success of our ninth annual Top Women in Global Cinema list in June. With a shorter nomination window this year, you have just under six weeks to submit names deserving of a place via this form – so don’t delay, submit your nominations today!

And similarly to the cinema exhibition list, this year sees an important change to the nominations process. To make the selection procedure as fair and straightforward as possible we’re introducing some simple criteria, which, ultimately, help us to produce the most deserving list possible. We ask that nominees meet the following criteria:

• Candidate should have been working in film distribution for a minimum of two years.
• Candidate should hold at least a management level position. 
• Candidate should be able to demonstrate extracurricular activities / achievements / recognition / initiatives. These don’t necessarily have to be directly related to the distribution industry but can be outlined via the submission form.

Specifically, we’re looking for how nominees have made a positive difference to their company beyond their daily work, which in turn, has contributed to the broader distribution and / or film industries. Along with any career highlights and background information, please be sure to update any nomination with relevant accomplishments from the last 12-18 months.

And without revealing any names yet, we’re also pleased to share that this year’s initiative has already received early sponsorship support from some soon-to-be revealed industry partners — with two sponsorship opportunities still available. As an independent publication, we rely on your support to continue championing the achievements of women across our industry. Our thanks go to those who’ve already joined us — and to any future partners considering it.

To learn more, contact Shana Nichols, CJ’s Sponsorship Director, at shana.nichols@celluloidjunkie.com.

After an incredible year of industry milestones and coverage, we’re entering the winter season with a jam packed 2026 on the horizon. We’re closing out 2025 with a celebration of the women driving global film distribution forward. Join us in recognising their impact — and submit your nominations today.

The post Nominations Now Open: CJ’s Top Women in Global Film Distribution appeared first on Celluloid Junkie.

When Mike Polydoros decided to start a cinema marketing company in the summer of 2020, every movie theatre in the world was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Box office numbers had evaporated, release calendars were shredded, and the industry was fighting for survival. 

“Nothing like starting a cinema marketing company when every theatre in the world is shut down,” Polydoros said with a laugh. “But you’ve got to start somewhere.”

Polydoros, the co-founder and chief executive officer of PaperAirplane Media, had spent more than two decades at Lionsgate after cutting his teeth at Trimark Pictures. His transition to PaperAirplane wasn’t an act of reinvention so much as a reaction to a structural problem he had watched grow for years. The process of getting marketing materials from distributors to cinemas — a task once handled with print ad slicks, poster mylars, and trailer reels — had become a digital nightmare.

From Ad Slicks to Endless Log-ins
It used to be that getting marketing materials to theatres meant shipping ad slicks and mylars, physical poster sheets and all the trailer reels that could squeeze into a FedEx truck. Sometime over the past 20 years, the same process had migrated to cloud servers and metadata fields, scattered across at least a dozen studio portals.

“Fifteen years ago, exhibitor marketing was basically, can you play my trailer and put up my poster?” Polydoros recalled. “Then exhibitors became real media partners. They had loyalty clubs, social feeds, and newsletters, and every studio wanted a presence across those channels.”

As everything moved online, each studio built its own digital portal. A single marketing manager at a cinema chain might need to log into 15 different drives or platforms to find trailers, banners, and synopsis copy for the week’s films. “From the studio side we’d ask, who’s downloading what? And the team would shrug — it’s a Dropbox link, we don’t know,” he said. “It was chaos.”

That inefficiency, and the lack of visibility behind it, was the problem Polydoros set out to solve when he and longtime colleague Will Preuss launched PaperAirplane Media in mid-2020, an agency dedicated entirely to what he called cinema-channel marketing: the connection between content owners and movie theatres.

Building the Hangar
The company’s first project became its calling card. The Hangar, a secure, cloud-based warehouse for movie marketing materials, allowed studios, distributors, and technology partners to store and distribute everything a theatre might need — from DCP trailers and key art to point-of-sale graphics and PDF ad sheets. 

“Every PaperAirplane needs a hangar,” Polydoros joked during an early presentation.

Off-the-shelf asset-management systems proved inadequate — “clunky and not intuitive” — so the team built their own from scratch with developers from the entertainment marketing firm iMoxie. One of those developers, Eric Marti, has since joined PaperAirplane as Chief Technology Officer. 

The platform was then tested with major, regional, and independent exhibitors as they reopened after the pandemic to ensure it matched how theatre marketers actually worked. In fact, the pandemic may have helped PaperAirplane overcome the film industry’s resistance to change. “With everyone working remotely and using all sorts of new technology like Zoom, studios and exhibitors were more willing to give us a chance,” recalled Preuss. “Plus, I think we were uniquely positioned, just because of our background, to be able to pull it off.”

Five years later, the Hangar has become the domestic industry’s central marketing nervous system. Nearly every major studio and distributor in North America; 99.9% of the content available to theatres is hosted on the platform. It has logged more than 1.5 million downloads from over 4,500 unique users representing every circuit and roughly 2,500 independent venues, and currently stores more than three terabytes of live materials.

For AMC Theatres, that reach turned the system into what Senior Vice President & Chief Content Officer Nikkole Denson-Randolph called an “invaluable partner, helping us navigate challenges with innovation and efficiency,” thereby bringing real value across the circuit’s teams. 

Warner Bros. Pictures’ President of Global Distribution, Jeff Goldstein, agreed that the service “skillfully and successfully filled a specific need for exhibitors, both big and small, by creating a one-stop shop across all studios for approved digital assets.” He added that it had become “a great tool to help augment our marketing efforts with exhibitors and their co-marketing of our films.”

Polydoros stressed that the Hangar’s greatest impact wasn’t convenience; it was insight. Because every download left a digital breadcrumb, both studios and exhibitors could see which assets were used, when, and by whom. “Sometimes the most important information is what’s not being used,” he said. “If a banner size shows zero downloads, a studio knows not to waste resources creating it next time.”

Those analytics quietly reshaped how campaigns were planned, turning the Hangar into what many now view as an industry utility, rather than a vendor service. “We never looked at this as a get-rich-quick business,” Polydoros said. “The goal was to make everyone work smarter.”

A Broader Ecosystem
PaperAirplane now manages asset creation for several studios; resizing, versioning, and delivering full suites of digital materials. It also oversees campaign management and media buying across exhibitor platforms to ensure consistent messaging from website to mobile app to lobby screen.

Lionsgate’s President of Global Distribution, Kevin Grayson, said the PaperAirplane team had “put in place a strategically designed ecosystem of out-of-the-box solutions in an ever-changing marketing environment,” crediting the company for helping distributors and exhibitors “anticipate and adapt, rather than react.”

That adaptability attracted more than just studios. IMAX, Dolby, RealD, Barco, and even Coca-Cola began using the Hangar to deliver branded materials directly to theatres. “For smaller exhibitors especially, it’s a lifesaver,” stated Meggie Isom, PaperAirplane’s first official employee and current Vice President, Account Services. “They can grab approved creative and know it’s correct — no more pulling artwork off IMDb or Wikipedia.”

At NEON, Vice President of Exhibitor Relations, Kim Kalyka, agreed that PaperAirplane’s platform gave the indie distributor “a single, easy way for theatres of any size to access official marketing materials.” Ensuring its films were accurately represented across venues and digital channels was a struggle for some of their arthouse titles. 

For exhibitors, the payoff was time. Marcus Theatres’ marketing head Ken Thewes noted that his team could “spend more time on strategy and ideation because PaperAirplane handles so many of the executional details.” The result, he said, was a “streamlined operation that keeps everyone focused on audience engagement rather than asset hunting.”

The Tower: Group Sales, Rebuilt from Scratch
PaperAirplane’s second major solution, the Tower, arose from a different industry headache; group sales management. Faith-based and community-driven releases often depend on bulk ticket orders from churches, schools, or organizations, yet studios and exhibitors had no efficient way to coordinate those sales.

“We were enlisted by Warner Bros. for ‘The Color Purple,’” Polydoros said. “They had an ambitious group-sales program involving Oprah Winfrey reaching out to her fan base. But the process was all manual — emails, spreadsheets, no visibility.”

Warner Bros.’ Goldstein described PaperAirplane’s new group sales program as serving “a component of our business that has not been fully realized yet,” adding that “PaperAirplane is equipped to assist in achieving that goal.”

The Tower automates that system from top to bottom. Groups submit requests through a public form; studios approve them; exhibitors are notified instantly, with information either feeding directly into their CRM and point of sale systems or appearing in a secure online dashboard. Each request is visible only to the relevant exhibitor — AMC sees AMC data, Regal sees Regal — eliminating duplication and confusion. 

Amanda Rufener, a vice president and account executive on the PaperAirplane team, served as architect to the Tower project, building the interface to suit both sides. “As with the Hangar,” Rufener explained, “we started by listening to users, then designed the technology around their workflow.”

The result has already been adopted for projects with Amazon MGM, Bleecker Street, Fathom Entertainment, Lionsgate and Walt Disney Studios, among others, giving studios real-time visibility into ticketing and local outreach. “Everything we roll out is about solving a specific problem,” Polydoros added. “There’s no cookie-cutter approach.”

Landing Abroad
Having achieved near-total penetration in North America, PaperAirplane began to look overseas. After a soft launch in Latin America in 2023, the company quietly entered the United Kingdom this year. Roughly 100 users representing a cross-section of exhibitors have already signed on. 

“Anytime you go into a new market, it’s a process,” Polydoros said. “You listen first and adapt to how that market works.” In the UK, that meant tackling region-specific challenges such as “coming soon” carousels and artwork integration with POS systems. The company is already collaborating with British partners on localized solutions.

Goldstein noted that with customization, the PaperAirplane platform “could be a helpful tool in many territories, just as it has been for the domestic [market].”

At home, CTO Eric Marti is leading a full refresh of the Hangar following its annual user survey. “About 80 percent of users said they love the platform,” Polydoros noted. “We’re adding features the independents asked for — more intuitive navigation, faster search, and easier asset previewing.”

A Utility, Not a Vendor
What stands out in conversation with Polydoros is how rarely he talks about sales or revenue. “We’ve never wanted to [price] gouge anyone,” he explained. “We view this as an industry asset.” 

PaperAirplane now employs nine people — lean by design — and keeps participation costs minimal for theatres. The company also uses its verified exhibitor database, encompassing every major circuit, as a communication channel for studios needing to distribute operational updates. 

“We probably have a better direct line to exhibitors than anyone else,” Polydoros said. “If a studio needs to alert theatres about a new accessibility card or a change in deliverables, we can get that information out quickly, but we’re very careful not to spam anyone.”

That philosophy of service over selling has helped PaperAirplane maintain credibility in an industry often skeptical of outside vendors. Its tools may sit quietly in the background, but for those working in theatrical marketing, they have become as essential as trailers and showtimes.

From Lionsgate to Launchpad
Five years in, PaperAirplane Media has evolved from an experiment born of crisis into the backbone of theatrical marketing. At CinemaCon 2024, Polydoros realized how deeply that transformation had sunk in. 

“The first couple of years people would see my badge and say, ‘Oh, Mike from Lionsgate,’” he said. “Then one day someone looked at it and said, ‘PaperAirplane? We use you guys all the time.’ That’s when I knew we’d made the leap.”

Today, mention PaperAirplane in any cinema marketing department across North America and heads nod. The company has become the invisible support system that keeps the exhibitor–studio relationship running; a quiet infrastructure success story in an industry that rarely stops to examine its plumbing.

“I look at what we’ve built and think, we created this out of nothing,” Polydoros said. “And now, if you mention our name in the industry, people know exactly who we are.”

What Polydoros and his team have proven is that while every PaperAirplane may need a Hangar, it’s the people piloting it who have learned how to fly.

The post From Grounded to Global: How PaperAirplane is Helping Movie Marketing Reach New Heights appeared first on Celluloid Junkie.

This year’s Toronto International Film Festival (September 4–14) hosted several Buyers In Focus sessions as part of the TIFF Conference at the CBC Centre in downtown Toronto. These conversations offered an inside look at the strategies, challenges, and ambitions of companies navigating the global film landscape. With TIFF set to evolve into a fully fledged market in 2026, the perspectives shared provided not just regional snapshots but also a collective sense of how film acquisitions, audience engagement, and festival networking may shape the next chapter of theatrical distribution.

Antonella Canturi – Rai Cinema, Italy
Antonella Canturi has spent more than 25 years navigating Italy’s complex cinematic landscape, combining academic insight with hands-on experience. She began her career with an internship and a stint at New Line Cinema in New York before returning to Italy, where she quickly found work across various industry roles. Today, at Rai Cinema’s 01 Distribution, she manages international acquisitions for theatrical distribution as well as programming for TV and other channels.

Canturi outlined the dual focus of her acquisitions strategy: balancing authorial identity with commercial potential. “We buy everything from historical dramas like “The Wizard of the Kremlin” to K-pop thrillers such as “The Perfect Girl,” family dramas, and character-driven pieces. […] But the audience is very picky today. [Streaming] platforms offer everything, so we focus on distinctive projects,” she said, while stressing that Italian productions remain central to the company’s slate.

She also pointed to shifting consumption habits. “We’re trying to diversify as much as possible, but we must acknowledge the role of platforms and the competition they bring,” she explained. Italian audiences still expect strong domestic content, but engaging younger viewers has become critical. “Even though Rai is traditionally festival-oriented, we are focusing more and more on films suitable for younger audiences. That means creating events with actors and directors, insisting on promotion, and using the tools young people actually use,” she noted, underlining the role of Instagram, TikTok, and Rai’s own VoD platform, RaiPlay. “We have to move with the times, and this should be our main goal.”

Frank L. Stavik – AS Fidalgo, Norway
From Italy’s dual strategy, we move north to Norway, where Frank L. Stavik offered the perspective of a boutique arthouse distributor, Fidalgo. A veteran of the industry, his career began unexpectedly: after running a local film society, he and a friend took over a struggling video company in the late 1980s and pivoted it into theatrical distribution.

“We bought a Finnish film, Aki Kaurismäki’s “Leningrad Cowboys Go America,” which did 50,000 admissions, and suddenly we were in business. We thought, ‘easy peasy’ – of course it wasn’t,” he recalled. More recent selections include Sergei Loznitsa’s “Two Prosecutors,” the three-hour Chinese film “Resurrection,” and Paolo Genovese’s “Madly.”

“We’re a small boutique operation, so we buy and distribute high-end arthouse films,” Stavik explained. “Commercial titles are usually too expensive and require marketing power we don’t have, so we stick to the artsy ones — not where the money lies, but definitely where the fun is.”

He acknowledged that audiences remain a challenge. “Right now, our core audience is aged 50+, and without them we wouldn’t be in business,” he said. Festivals and markets, once seen as competition, are now vital to visibility. “For a while we feared festivals would eat into our box office in a country of just five million people,” he admitted. “But in recent years we’ve seen they actually help build visibility and audience numbers.”

Jakob Abrahamsson – NonStop Entertainment, Sweden
Sweden’s Jakob Abrahamsson traced his journey from VHS-era film fan to CEO and co-owner of NonStop Entertainment, crediting formative experiences at the Stockholm Film Festival in the late 1990s.

At NonStop, he balances artistic ambition with commercial viability, acquiring both genre-driven titles like “The Substance” and “Terrifier 3” and auteur-driven features such as “If I Had Legs I Would Kick You” and “Pillion,” the latter starring Alexander Skarsgård. He also curates re-releases of classics including “Possession” and “Amélie,” while venturing into production through Mylla Films.

Abrahamsson pointed to a post-pandemic resurgence of younger audiences in Sweden. By courting cinephiles with classics and niche fare, NonStop has tapped into this renewed appetite for theatrical. Festivals, he stressed, remain essential: “A festival with a market is far stronger than a market alone,” he said, adding that these events provide critical insight into audience reception, the competitive landscape, and a film’s potential performance across Scandinavia’s specialized circuits.

Dylan Leiner – Sony Pictures Classics, USA
Dylan Leiner, Executive Vice President at Sony Pictures Classics, brought the perspective of a seasoned acquisitions executive with more than 30 years in acquisitions and production. Raised in Los Angeles by a family embedded in the arts, he initially resisted the industry before joining SPC, where he has since overseen films earning more than 150 Oscar nominations.

Leiner described the company’s approach as semi-independent curation, blending eclectic artistic and commercial projects. At Toronto this year, SPC’s lineup included Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut “Eleanor the Great,” James Vanderbilt’s “Nuremberg,” Richard Linklater’s “Blue Moon,” and Nick Hytner’s “The Choral.”

“Even though we’re part of a big company, we operate at arm’s length, curating a mix of films,” he said. For Leiner, festivals and markets are crucial cultural hubs — places to observe trends, generate momentum, and allow exhibitors, journalists, and audiences to engage with films in meaningful ways.

Optimistic about the US box office post-pandemic, he noted a new demographic of twenty- and thirty-somethings rediscovering cinema. Yet challenges remain, particularly in balancing ticket pricing with the demands of social-media-driven engagement.

Eleonora Pesci – Curzon, United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, Eleonora Pesci offered candid insights on the arthouse landscape. “Audiences’ habits differ across territories, but the underlying challenges for theatrical distributors are surprisingly similar,” she observed.

Pesci explained that Curzon Film remains committed to independent arthouse, balancing the traditional [Curzon distribution platform] Artificial Eye output — “often aimed at older audiences” — with younger-skewing titles and a steady stream of retrospectives and re-releases.

“This past year we’ve had great results with “Kneecap” and “Flow,” and our upcoming slate features directors such as Pedro Almodóvar, Julia Ducournau, and Robin Campillo,” she said. On festivals, she was emphatic: “A festival launch will always be the ideal platform to start a film’s journey. There’s a unique energy, buzz, and atmosphere that still drives most of us indie players.”

Still, she acknowledged domestic challenges. “Some films break out beyond expectations, but many arthouse titles struggle to connect with theatrical audiences — and that often carries over to TV and SVOD,” Pesci added.

Mette Schramm – Reel Pictures, Denmark
Mette Schramm of Denmark’s Reel Pictures highlighted the enduring challenges of distribution, stressing that “distribution is a risky business wherever in the world or whichever territory you are based and working in,” but she tempered this with optimism: “Luckily, there are people with passion for movies all over the world.”

At Reel Pictures, acquisitions are guided by both personal taste and market fit. “We try primarily to buy movies that supplement the cinemas we manage and/or something we really like and expect could have interest for a Danish audience,” Schramm explained. Among recent acquisitions is the aforementioned “Pillion,” a comedy directed by Harry Lighton, which the company screened at Cannes.

Festivals and markets, she stressed, are indispensable. “It is a very important place to find new acquisitions and to network.” On the domestic front, she noted that Denmark’s theatrical market is still recovering from Covid, the Hollywood strikes, and the expansion of streaming. Even so, she remains cautiously hopeful: “The ticket sales seem to be developing in a positive direction, let’s hope for the best.”

A Shared Set of Challenges
Taken together, these testimonies reflect both local particularities and common ground. From Italy to Scandinavia, the UK to the US, distributors are grappling with streaming competition, the urgency of reaching younger audiences, and the enduring role of festivals.

That repetition is instructive: theatrical distributors worldwide are wrestling with the same dilemmas. It also underscores why TIFF’s plan to become a full market in 2026 could be transformative. For independent players and major companies alike, a festival that combines discovery with deal-making may prove one of the few places where global strategies can still be forged — and theatrical’s future, however precarious, can continue to be written.

The post Distribution Around the World: Buyers at TIFF Share Lessons for Theatrical’s Next Chapter appeared first on Celluloid Junkie.