Established approaches to distribution and marketing are struggling to support cultural and social diversity and bridge the generation gap. This Talk features the first-ever European Audiovisual Observatory's study on box office and streaming figures for documentaries, revealing a challenging market, particularly outside popular genres such as nature, celebrities, and sports.

Traditional audience engagement influences are weakening, as streaming algorithms manipulate demand. Filmmakers, distributors, independent cinemas, and streamers want work directly with audiences and communities, and adapt campaigns to the realities of increasingly diverse audiences. Their approaches include subscription models, event releases, segmented marketing strategies, community building platforms, working with social media creators—putting new responsibilities on filmmakers and producers.

 One film that succeeded in this landscape is Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat, presented in the Talk. This Talk looks at the changing ecosystem and how documentary can take advantage of new trends, bringing together voices from across the value chain.

Moderator: Michael Gubbins (Managing Partner, RethinkCreative.biz)

Speakers: TBC

This talk is supported by DutchCulture | Creative Europe Desk NL and Creative Europe Desk Flanders