An interview with Nuno Bernardo (Emmy®-nominated Producer, Managing Director | beActive Entertainment)
2020 has forever changed the entertainment industry: shut-down theatres, stopped productions, cancelled release dates as well as film festivals and markets going on-line only. With theatres almost empty and VoD subscriptions soaring, film production and distribution companies must learn to adapt fast to navigate this new landscape and sustain their businesses.
We spoke to Nuno Bernardo about the challenges during the last months, the future of film and other audiovisual content and the significant shift of how movies are being distributed on a global basis. Nuno's work spans from feature films and TV shows to videogames and books, his credits include SOFIA'S DIARY (2008) and BEAT GIRL (2013). He is a member of the European Film Academy and was named Producer on the Move by the European Film Promotion in 2014. His company beActive Entertainment is specialised in transmedia projects and explores new ways and new platforms to distribute content. Nuno is the Head of Studies of our upcoming online workshop Digital Distribution.
Why is the workshop Digital Distribution now more relevant than ever?
"The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the Entertainment industry, especially in the film business. For months, cinemas were closed, and even if some of them are now open, they run at limited capacity and schedules. The Box Office declined around the globe, and some of 2020's big releases were postponed to next year or were released on VoD, both on Pay-per-view or the existing SVOD platforms. Because of these ongoing changes, digital distribution of film and TV programmes became more relevant than ever. There was never a more urgent need to find out the best practices to get your latest film, documentary or TV series out into this ever-changing world."
Who can benefit from participating in the workshop?
"The workshop was designed with producers and creators in mind. Directors and Producers of film, TV and documentary that want to find out how movies and series are being released these days, what expectations they can have regarding reach and revenues and find out about all the existing platforms that are looking for content. At the same time, anyone working in the marketing and distribution of TV and film will also benefit from the case studies that will be presented at the Digital Distribution workshop."
What is your outlook on the future of film and other audiovisual content?
"Over the last six months, we’ve been seeing a significant shift on how movies are being distributed on a global basis, films of different budgets and scales. New business models are being experimented with, new revenues streams are being tested. Because of these new experiences, of this new approach, initially implemented by necessity due to the lack of cinemas to release product, I think we will never go back to the way business was at the end of 2019. VoD will take the lead in the distribution of movies, documentaries and series. Maybe even sports events in the future. This new paradigm will not mean the end of TV or cinema but traditional broadcasters and film distribution and exhibiting companies will need to adapt to this new world."
Many thanks for the interview.
