SESSION 18. DEVELOPING NEW BUSINESS MODELS FOR THE DIGITAL ERA

With a new generation of media consumers demanding content delivered when they want it, how they want it and very much as they want it, this workshop session discusses how to use new opportunities to develop audience-driven film businesses that take advantage of a newly networked and on demand world.

PETER BUCKINGHAM, Head of Distribution & Exhibition, UK Film Council

Peter Buckingham is Head of Distribution & Exhibition at the UK Film Council tasked with increasing the breadth and diversity of cinema-going across the UK, as well as assisting audience appreciation of UK films. He heads up a range of schemes to support this strategy, which aim to broaden the choice of films available to UK audiences and to increase admissions for specialised film; these include the P&A Fund (prints & advertising) and the world’s first Digital Screen Network.

Buckingham was previously Deputy Chief Executive of FilmFour Limited. During his time there, the company achieved the highest market share in its history and released East is East, both its highest grossing title and the first film to achieve cross-over success with specialised and mainstream cinema audiences. Buckingham was named Video Distributor of the Year in 2000. Prior to FilmFour, he was MD of Oasis Cinemas, building up a specialised chain into five cinemas and thirteen screens, including the complete design and rebuilding of the five-screen Ritzy Cinema in Brixton, South London. He has also worked as Director of Film Distribution for Virgin Vision responsible for the theatrical and video release of films such as Drugstore Cowboy, Sex, Lies and Videotape, Paris by Night and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.