Speakers at Locarno workshop to include TrustNordisk’s Susan Wendt and ARTE’s Karen Byot.

Europa Distribution is planning its fifth annual workshop during the Locarno Film Festival. This year’s theme is “the role of television in the career of independent films.” The discussion is especially topical as more and more distributors in Europe are threatened by acquisitions drying up by free TV and pay TV.

About 40 independent distributors will participate.

The workshop’s main panel runs the morning of Aug 9. Panelists include Valérie Lardinois (RTBF, Belgium), Karen Byot (ARTE, France), Susan Wendt (TrustNordisk, Denmark & president of Europa International) [pictured], Fernando Riera (A Contracorriente, Spain) and Silke Wilfinger (Koch Media & The Independents, Germany).

Roundtable discussions will follow.

Europa Distribution members will also participate in Locarno’s Industry Days and Step IN.