The Movie Marketing & Distribution Podcast - Breaking Boundaries in Film Festivals: Algirdas Ramaška on Innovation, Adaptation, and Audience Connection

Breaking Boundaries in Film Festivals: Algirdas Ramaška on Innovation, Adaptation, and Audience Connection

03/23/23 • 49 min

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The Movie Marketing & Distribution Podcast

In this episode, Algirdas Ramaška, CEO of the Vilnius Film Festival and Kino Pavasaris Distribution, discusses the festival's incredible journey, including overcoming COVID-19 shutdowns, adapting with innovative approaches, and maintaining a deep connection to their audience. Algirdas shares how the Vilnius Film Festival has survived and thrived by adapting to unique circumstances, such as hosting film screenings in hotel rooms and setting up drive-in cinemas at an airport. The conversation also covers the importance of creativity in creating a successful film festival experience, connecting film festival screenings and distribution, and the need for generational change in the film industry. Listen to this episode for an inspiring conversation on overcoming challenges, embracing innovation, and fostering a deep connection with audiences in the world of film festivals and distribution.

Algirdas Ramaska is the CEO of “KINO PAVASARIS” organization, that focus on cinematic, cultural, educational events in Lithuania. The most important is Vilnius International Film Festival ‘Kino Pavasaris’ – the largest cinema and cultural event in Lithuania. He is also the head of distribution company “KINO PAVASARIS DISTRIBUTION”. Algirdas has over 20 years of international experience working in the film sector, with a skillset that covers business management, cultural event organization, film distribution, communication, marketing and sponsorship.

Previous Episode

Tilane Jones on Leaning into Community

Tilane Jones is the President of ARRAY, the multi-platform arts and social impact collective dedicated to narrative change founded by filmmaker Ava DuVernay in 2011. Jones leads ARRAY Alliance, the non-profit group, as well as programming and production hub ARRAY Creative Campus. She continues to oversee ARRAY Releasing, the company’s film distribution arm, where she is responsible for the acquisition, booking and marketing of more than 40 independent feature films. Jones was recently honored with the Slamdance Founders Award, the film festival’s highest accolade. She is the fifth recipient and first woman and person of color to receive the award which is bestowed on an individual that supports the filmmaker community of Slamdance throughout their career. Jones is also a member of the executive branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and honored to be on the advisory board of Illuminative and the 2022 Gold Open Advisory Council.

Next Episode

Noortje van der Sande on the Hybrid Consumer and the Intersection of Online and In-Cinema Experiences

In this episode, Noortje van der Sande, founder of the pioneering virtual cinema platform Picl.nl, discusses the innovative ways in which movie marketing and distribution are being transformed. Noortje shares insights into the development of Picl, which allows cinemas to offer films online simultaneously with their theatrical releases.

Noortje delves into the concept of the "hybrid consumer" and reveals research that the same people often watch movies both online and in cinemas, making virtual cinema a valuable tool for fostering loyalty among customers. We also explore how offering an online component to in-cinema can enhance the consumer experience and foster a stronger connection to the cinema.

About Noortje van der Sande:

After a 20+ year career in the film industry Noortje van de Sande is co-owner of film marketing agency Herrie Film & TV. Together with Anke van Diejen, she currently forms the management of virtual cinema platform Picl in The Netherlands and Belgium. She is momentarily conducting research into the new hybrid film consumer and the Creative Europe financed research into the future of Virtual Cinema in Europe under the title REACHM. Together with Babette Wijntjes and Anke van Diejen she is also owner of distribution company Vedette Film.