Beyond the Usual Suspects

– licensing opportunities and practicalities in digital distribution

Sunday 22/9 14:30 – 15:30 Scandic Triangeln

Although the 2024 market is more challenging for indie short- and documentary films, there is still an opportunity to sell to a wide range of VOD/OTT platforms, including an increased appetite for slightly older films (library, catalog) . Many non-exclusive deals are possible, across various regions and windows (TVOD, SVOD, AVOD and now FAST), going beyond just Big Global players (Netflix/Amazon types) to midsized competitors, and to selected complementary niche platforms. Some of those lesser known platforms also are open to occasionally fund Originals, including short -form.

In this session, VOD expert / former lawyer Wendy Bernfeld of Rights Stuff gives an overview of the current landscape, highlighting various platforms to possibly sell to, their different streamer biz models, and some pragmatics – how to reach them, including middle persons/DIY /& hybrid angles.

Arranged in collaboration with the Nordic Creative Europe Desks

Speaker:

Wendy Bernfeld

Wendy Bernfeld,(@wbernfeld), former Montrealer and founder/CEO of Rights Stuff (Amsterdam) www.rights-stuff.com, is a passionate film buff with 25+ years in film/paytv/VOD/OTT channel startup, biz dev and content/programming experience in N.A. and EMEA/international. This includes (before Rights Stuff) prior multi-region roles as CEO Canal+ International, MD Alliance Atlantis and earlier on as entertainment lawyer.

Wendy has a J.D./LLB from Queens University, after one year of BA/MBA at McGill & University of Toronto. She was earlier, one of 10 Law Clerks to Chief Justice, Supreme Court and remains a member of the Ontario and UK bars.

Since founding her boutique consultancy, Rights Stuff in ’99, she provides content strategy and pragmatic licensing, including curation, acquisition, distribution and development, to maximise rights/windows/audiences across an evolving digital landscape. Key expertise is international pay/SVOD/AVOD/FAST licensing and Originals deals – whether traditional, digital, cross platform and going beyond just the Big5 global streamers to other thematic and regional services who compete and complement them.

Wendy is also a frequent lecturer, moderator, workshop leader, on digital media and negotiation arts, as well as a strong supporter of the production/festival sectors, including  advisory boards and juries.  In 2010, Wendy was named as one of the “Brave Thinkers of Indie Film, 2010” by Oscar-winning independent producer Ted Hope. Her most recent article, for The Film Collaborative, was published in May 2024 here.