From November 5 – 7, 2024, the 15th Annual International Small Cinemas Conference, titled Changing Policies, Transforming Audiences, and Work Practices In-flux, successfully took place in Zagreb, Croatia. Hosted at the F22 Hall as part of the ZFF Industry program, this significant event brought together over 100 researchers, policymakers, film professionals, and students to address the evolving challenges and opportunities facing small film industries worldwide.
Who organised the event?
The conference was a collaborative effort by the Department of Culture and Communication at the Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO), the Zagreb Film Festival (ZFF), and the Academy of Dramatic Arts (ADU). This partnership highlighted the importance of bringing together academic, industry, and cultural expertise to cultivate meaningful discussions.
Key topics and discussions
Over three days, the program delved into crucial issues such as:
- The impact of global streaming platforms on smaller film ecosystems.
- Innovations in film production and emerging distribution models.
- Challenges faced by cinema networks and strategies to adapt.
- Public policies supporting smaller film industries in a globalized and digitalized world.
An important highlight was SCENE’s participation in a panel discussing strategies to boost the international competitiveness of small film industries. Anastasios Drosou, SCENE’s project coordinator, joined representatives from the EU-funded projects REBOOT and CresCine to share insights into enhancing competitiveness in the European audiovisual sector.
Key moments from the conference
Day 1: The opening day featured a thought-provoking keynote by Jakob Isak Nielsen (Aarhus University, Denmark) on strategies for strengthening small film ecosystems. Panels focused on evidence-based policymaking and the role of clusters in fostering industry growth.
Day 2: The second day included an engaging Horizon Europe panel, in-depth discussions on the effects of streaming platforms, and challenges for cinema networks. The day concluded with a lively industry networking event.
Day 3: The final day turned its focus to technological innovations, the impact of streaming platforms in Eastern and Central Europe, and incentive policies tailored to smaller film industries.
Why this matters
The conference delved into small film industries’ vital cultural and economic role in preserving local identities while searching for international collaboration. As global streaming platforms continue to reshape the audiovisual landscape, adapting public policies and industry practices has become increasingly urgent.
For SCENE, the event provided a valuable platform to highlight its dedication to supporting small film industries. Through innovative tools and strategies, SCENE aims to enhance the resilience, creativity, and competitiveness of smaller players in the ever-changing audiovisual sector.