The debate about the digital future has been deeply frustrating and dominated by Luddites at one side and over-enthusiastic advocates on the other. It can be otherworldy and academic and often misses the main legitimate concern of film-makers: finding and makingmoney in a digital world.

The debate has also been shaped by vested interests with powerful forces resisting change. So it is not surprising that many feel alienated from the discussion.

But this report argues that digital change is an unstoppable force. It has already disrupted current models to the point where European film is often surviving only on soft money.

Only at the top end of the scale with studio involvement and the emergence of new mini-majors is there clearmovement. But the exploitation of economies of scale, marrying production and distribution,is only available to a few.

What's moresuchgrowth squeezessmaller independents still further.

Insuch circumstances, forward movementtowards digital change seems like the only real option.

Indeed this lack of alternatives may well be the most convincing driver for digital change.

But while much of the industry may be dragged kicking and screaming into the new era - and some may not go at all - it is important not to lose sight of the opportunities.

A customer-driven business without the limitations of tiny distribution windows is, of course, highly challenging.

Some aspects of digital change can, and should, be exploited now a unequivocally good; such as social networking.

Online distribution is raising interest not least because it opens up the opportunities of directlyserving - even interacting with - the customer.

The idea that the independent business mayactually have the power over the destiny of their workshould beexciting every producer and film-maker.

Obviously turning ideas into action is muchmore complex and may require risks.

Some are a matter of biting the bullet as an industry and forging ahead regardless of obvious pitfalls; there are no longer gains to be had in waiting for the perfect model.

There will be companies, and potentially countries, left behind but that is an issue for politicians, not business.

The potential benefits in diversity of programming are realised but the cost savings can only be realised when a mass of people make the switch.

As for the broader issues of fragmentation, in technological, legal and political terms, imagination from government at national and European level will be required.

European policy seems to have moved in the right direction but digital change favours the nimble over the gargantuan - and the European Commission is certainly not the former.

Fine words mean nothing on their own, particularly while global competitors are pressing ahead at speed.

The answers to digital change at the macro level will be a matter of debate.

But the immediate responsibility of all is to at least understand the nature of change.

The future should not be something that happens to us: it's not too late to make clear steps to control our own destinies.