FEATURE
3 S4 36 B “My immediate ambitions are to play a
pivotal role in the distribution and marketing of entertainment on the different emerging platforms, which are currently transforming the traditional business model in dynamic foreign territories like Russia, Latin America, China and India. It’s very exciting.”
Nicolai Korsgaard Sales manager TrustNordisk (Den)
■ Worked as PR and marketing co-ordinator at Trust Film Sales from 2003 until 2006. ■ Moved to Nordisk Film International Sales in 2006 as PR and marketing manager. ■ In 2008 became sales manager at TrustNordisk ApS. “When I started working for Zentropa I thought I was going to be a producer, but I quickly learned that sales and marketing was the right way for me. “I have met and worked with great people
and many have become close friends. To pick out a few — Fusun Eriksen introduced me to the business and taught me the ‘art’ of PR and marketing; Tine Klint and Susan Wendt have helped me on the sales side, and have been and still are my mentors. “Business today will keep stable, I am
sure, especially with the whole digital move- ment that allows films to be seen by more people in more ways, not to mention the increasing numbers of paid-for and satellite channels programming foreign titles. I see the opportunities along with the obstacles but as long as the production quality stays high, there will be a market. The ambition is to represent that.”
Peter Kujawski Executive vice-president worldwide acquisitions Universal Pictures (US)
■ Began his career as assistant to Good Machine co-founder and co-president James Schamus. ■ When Good Machine was absorbed into Focus Features in 2002, he joined Focus as director of international sales. Later named executive vice-president of international sales; sales credits included Volver, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, Lost In T and The Constant Gardener.
ranslation, Milk ■ 56 Screen International at Cannes May 18, 2012 35 B
Grisoni is currently burdened with the majority of the responsibility. “Working in the industry is more of a mar-
3 S3
athon than a sprint. I hope to make it to the end successfully having worked on fi lms that I enjoy being part of and hopefully will have a chance to head up my own outfi t. “There’s grumbling about how tough the
industry is at the moment, and it is. But it’s great to see the business and creative folk working more closely together to create fi lms that can fi nd an audience. There’s nothing like a good storm to bring people closer to their neighbour... no matter how ugly they are.”
Florian Leupin Head of legal & business affairs Ascot Elite Entertainment Group (Switz)
3 S6
■ Moved to Focus parent Universal Pictures as executive vice-president of worldwide acquisitions in 2011. “I approach acquisitions as someone reared in the trenches of international sales, so evaluating projects on a nuanced territory by territory basis is second nature. I’m fortu- nate to have spent my time in sales learning from supremely smart and passionate peo- ple like James Schamus, David Linde, Andrew Karpen and Alison Thompson, so the primary focus was always on the fi lms and the fi lm-makers. “My job was about fi ghting to make sure
the films had the chance to be seen by as many people as possible. Now I sit on the other side of the table as a buyer, the impulses are still the same — aligning film-makers with one of the most powerful distribution apparatuses in the world in a way that is, hopefully, fi nancially benefi cial to us and to them.”
Afolabi Kuti Acquisitions manager Salt (UK)
■ Started out working for Sundance and the BFI London Film Festival. ■ Worked for producers Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley at Number 9 Films. ■ While at Number 9, Kuti was selected for the National Film & TV School Compass Point programme, funded by Skillset. ■ Joined Samantha Horley’s Salt team as its acquisitions manager in February 2011. “Volunteering for the Sundance Film Festi- val was my first adventure into the film world. There’s nothing that says, ‘Welcome to the fi lm industry’ more than a snowball in your face. “I have many mentors working in differ-
ent fi elds within the industry who I beg, bor- row and steal advice from; peers and old wise heads alike. Writer-director Tony
■ Studied social studies at University of Zurich in 2006. ■ Taking a degree in business administration, 2009-13. ■ Head of legal and business affairs and assistant CEO at Elite Film AG since 2009. Also in acquisitions since 2010. “Thanks to my mentors CEO Ralph Dietrich and Karin Dietrich, as well as COO Stephan Giger, I have learned everything about the industry. When they recognised my movie knowledge and my eagerness to cover scripts and screen movies, I started getting into acquisitions and began to accompany them to international markets. “What I’ve noticed at markets in recent
years is that business is accelerating in terms of pace and numbers of products being offered as well as digital distribution — aka VoD/EST — becoming more important, although it is still not a clearly defi ned and tangible market. Since worldwide consump- tion is decreasing, everyone is getting nerv- ous. But it may also be a chance to redefi ne the movie business: allowing it to be more independent, more creative and active, creat- ing more alternative chances to produce and distribute movies to the audience.”
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Lisa Gutberlet
Melissa Martinez
Anna Marsh
Elisa Martin de Blas
Aranka Matits
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