Panel on Distribution today, DIFF

Director Peter Weir, distributor Hala Sarhan and sales agent Michael Werner discuss future of film distribution at DIFF 2010. Theme was that the modern film distribution factor is in state of chaos.

Peter Weir said, “you have to adapt to new film market. We must protect and conserve new indie filmmakers of world or we will frighten them and scare them. It’s a curious middle road today. We have to encourage the very thing that is draining financing from us. It scares us and yet we are driven to do it. There is nothing more painful than making a film that doesn’t bring audience. But if you don’t take risks you will fail. You’ll become afraid and atrophy. We must take risks and keep our head screwed on.”

Michael Werner remarked:- “Today’s distribution is what I like to call ‘juke box distribution’. In the apst, you could sell to many regions for 500-600,000 and nowadays you sell to a lot of territories for almost nothing. . Today’s distribution is like a Jukebox in the sky.”

Hala agreed that the world needs new kinds of films and talent which they hope will emerge from the Arab world.

Transcribed by Vanessa McMahon 

  Colin Farrell in Peter Weir's new film, The Way Back (2010)