This 2015 edition of the Locarno Summer Academy launches a new section: the Industry Academy, a new training program dedicated to young industry professionals in distribution, sales, marketing, exhibition and programming. This initiative, designed and moderated by Marion Klotz, will be held between 5 and 12 August in close relation with the Industry Days.

Marion Klotz: “We received a large number of applications from many European countries, which is already a relevant sign of interest from the young generation of entrepreneurs for the cinema industry careers. The industry is supportive and truly enthusiastic towards the Industry Academy which is developing, along with all the academies, as a real strength of the Festival.”

The team has selected 11 participants from 10 European countries, representing key-player companies such as Soda Pictures (United Kingdom), Mozinet (Hungary), Praesens-Film (Switzerland) for distribution, as well as New Europe Film Sales (Poland), Doc & Film International (France) and EastWest Filmdistribution (Austria) for International Sales. A young Swiss exhibitor, a German marketing executive, a Spanish VOD distributor and a Belgian observer from Europa Distribution are also part of the delegation. In addition, already exploring the perspective of an international opening, the Industry Academy will welcome this year a Mexican participant from the distribution company ND Mantarraya.

High profile guest speakers have already confirmed their participation such as Matthjis Wouter Knol, director of the EFM-Berlin, Susan Wendt head of Sales at Trust Nordisk and Jon Barrenechea Manager of the british cinema network Picturehouse Cinemas.

The Industry Academy has been developed in close cooperation with Europa International, Europa Distribution and Europa Cinemas, with the support of the Swiss Federal Office of Culture in the context of MEDIA compensatory measures.

The 2015 Industry Academy participants :

• Emmanuel Pisarra (Doc & Film International, France)
• Octavia Peyrou (EastWest Filmdistribution Gmbh, Austria)
• Alice Riva (Spoutnik Cinema, Switzerland)
• Ajandok Gyenis (Mozinet Ltd, Hungary)
• Zofia Horszczaruk (New Europe Film Sales, Poland)
• Annamaria Scaramella (Margenes, Spain)
• Kevin Chan (Soda Pictures, United Kingdom)
• Leonardo Cordero (ND Mantarraya, Mexico)
• Gianluca Izzo (Praesens-Film AG, Switzerland)
• Harry Silverlock (Alphapanda, Germany)
• Clara Leonet – Observer (Europa Distribution, Belgium)

The Industry Academy is one of the three initiatives of the Locarno Summer Academy coordinated by the Festival, along with the Filmmakers Academy and the Critics Academy. The 36 participants of the three academies have been chosen among 367 applications from 66 countries.