FUTURE
LEADERS SALES AND DISTRIBUTION
creen started highlighting the Future Leaders in our Cannes issue two years ago, when we spotlighted emerging sales and acquisitions executives. Last year, we looked at the rising producers. For 2014, we’re back spotlighting sales and distribution; it’s a sign of the industry’s vitality that there were hundreds of possible candidates that have proven themselves as ‘ones to watch’ since our previous look two years ago. For this class of Future Leaders, we tried to introduce executives at a stage when they may be slightly less well known to the wider industry; they are not totally new to the sector and do have decision-making power, but are
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not yet in the top positions. So these are not generally the vice-presidents or CEOs unless they have split off into running their own boutique companies. The fast-changing worlds of sales and distribution will face enormous challenges in the coming years — from the rise of digital platforms to shrinking TV deals to a crowded release landscape. It’s good to meet those dynamic, inspiring future leaders who will be driving the sector in exciting times ahead. And we look forward to toasting them in Cannes at a reception in association with Cannes Marché’s Producers Network. Wendy Mitchell, editor
Profiles by Martin Blaney, Melanie Goodfellow, Jason Gray, Jeremy Kay, Geoffrey Macnab, Wendy Mitchell, Jean Noh, Juan Sarda, Liz Shackleton and Andreas Wiseman
FEATURE FOCUS
May 2014 Screen International 35