The Near Future Retreat is an invitation only, Chatham House rules based think tank, industry ideation, exchange and leadership dialogue platform created in collaboration between New Nordic Narratives, Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, and Storytek Innovation & Venture Studio. 

The 9th, Cannes edition organized in partnership with CresCine, a Horizon Europe supported project that aims to boost the competitiveness of small film industries, this  will explore the importance, meaning, and future of independence of the film industry, and of up/and reskilling as a driver for change, seen across the turbulent film and TV producing landscape.

The NFR think tank journey has made it increasingly aware of how often we use words without really knowing whether we understand them in the same way. What does industry really mean when we talk about the film production ecosystem? What do we mean when we talk about independent films and companies? What skills do we really have or need to acquire to become sustainable and competitive professionals in this art vs. business playing field that is facing numerous turmoils? 

For business models to change and grow holistically, for creative processes to become more sustainable, for AI, technological changes, and transformation of skills and employment trajectories and impact to become opportunities for change rather than paralyzing threats, what role does the concept of being independent small industry professional play, as we seem to rely more on each other than ever?

NFR started its ongoing journey at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and has traveled across 7 festivals and events during 2023. 

This is a closed event. Apply here.

State of the European Film Report Premier

What is the current state of the European film industry? Which films are making it to festivals and how are they being received globally? How are small markets performing in terms of their competitiveness, financing, genres, and market configurations? How are European films represented on streaming platforms and what do audiences think and want?

CresCine, a Horizon Europe-backed project aimed at boosting the competitiveness of European small markets, is proud to release its first-ever interactive State of European Film report. This report focuses on the state of festivals, small market performance, greening & sustainability, competitiveness, skills, and audiences. The report will be released at the Cannes Industry Insights Day.

Join us for this fast-paced, data and insights-packed session to explore the current state of Europe’s film industry and its future direction. Future-proof your competitiveness with CresCine!

Is film financing back on track after a spring shockwave of high-profile European and US bankruptcies, power player shutdowns, and slowly recovering productions? What are the hottest future trends in innovative and non-public financing? Which types of budgets and projects globally make it for recoupment, and which do not? What are the new models in public and private-backed productions in a landscape flooded with content, where success is increasingly hard to come by?

Explore future trends, get the latest insights, and don't miss out on learning from the powerful players in innovative film and content financing at Cannes Next, in partnership with CresCine. CresCine, a Horizon Europe-backed project, is boosting the competitiveness of small European markets through comprehensive industry insights and research.

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Discover the 'who's who' behind CresCine’s insights and meet the project team, consortium members, partners, and the extended community in Cannes! Come and get the scoop on the latest business insights of the European industry, pose an industry question or challenge for CresCine to tackle, or discuss the next exciting collaboration project over drinks.

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It is an open secret that public financing, the cornerstone of European and arthouse cinema, is under pressure. In 2024, it faces increasing challenges due to geopolitics, an ongoing economic downturn, and the overall cooling of the industry.

Who are the cutting-edge financing innovators, funds, and private equity investors driving the industry forward outside the public financing system with innovative and out-of-the-box financing solutions and opportunities for independent productions?

CresCine, a Horizon Europe-backed project boosting the competitiveness of European small markets through comprehensive industry insights, is partnering with Cannes Next for an exclusive session featuring a selection of European and global film financing innovators and institutions.

Apply for the session to get to know the latest out-of-the-box financing methods, tools, and platforms. Learn about the opportunities and expectations of European innovative film and content funds, and discover what makes or breaks an investment deal for your slate of production.

This session has limited capacity, and attendees are selected on a case-by-case basis only.

As part of the CresCine, a Horizon Europe-funded project aiming to become the authoritative source for future insights into the film industries of small European territories,.we are excited to invite you as a key representative in the European film industry to join us at the Stakeholder Round Table and Brunch on A Greener Film Industry at the Berlinale 2024.

This event brings together industry leaders and sustainability and greening experts from Ireland, Denmark, Belgium (Flanders), Portugal, Croatia, Lithuania, and Estonia, aiming to foster collaborative efforts for sustainable film production across Europe.

At the event, we present the results of CresCine’s mapping into the relevant questions and opportunities in greening and sustainability, especially for small territories, discuss common rules and legislation for greener film industry, explore recommendations, guidelines, and financing practices related to sustainable film production and collaborate on streamlined reporting rules for cross-European co-productions. Plus, hear from inspirational case studies and greening & sustainability industry pioneers. CresCine’s overall goal is to deliver an easy-to-implement greening & sustainability guidebook in 2025, and thus, we value your attendance and feedback immensely.

Your expertise and insights will contribute significantly to the success of this roundtable session, and we believe that by working together, we can make strides toward a more sustainable and collaborative European film industry.

We look forward to your participation,

Filmby Aarhus (City of Aarhus, Denmark) / Storytek (Estonia) / Lusófona University (Portugal)

BFTP (Danish Sustainable Film and Tv-production Alliance)

Registration for the event has closed, follow our blog and social media channels about the updates and findings from the session.

Agenda

11:00-11:10
Welcome from CresCine - the buffet is open.

11:10-11:40
Stakeholders introduction with brunch

11:40-11:55
Overview of existing green initiatives - Tobias Frühmorgen, Lusofóna University, Portugal

11:55-12:25
Preliminary results of Nordic initiatives - Ege Heckmann, Green Producers Club, Denmark

12:25-12:35
10-minute break

12:35-12:45
Framing of breakout discussions - 4 questions to be discussed in groups - Caroline Gjerulff, Sustainable Film & TV Production, Denmark

12:45-13.15
Moderated discussions in groups of film institutions, film funds, broadcasters, etc.

13:15-13:45
Discussion of results from sessions

13:45-14:00
Sum up and next steps for the CresCine working group