The Cultural Value of Film

The cultural value of film is a major consideration for national and regional funds as well as for public service broadcasters. The panel will explore how supporting a diverse range of films can help us to reflect on our times and tell accessible and representative stories that benefit our societies. The talk will also address how cultural memory preserved by film contributes to broadening our understanding of different communities and societies and how film festivals offer a space where a diversity of voices are showcased and amplified.

Speakers:

PIA LUNDBERG | Artistic Director
Göteborg Film Festival

ISABEL DAVIS | Executive Director
Screen Scotland
OLIVIER PÈRE | Head of Cinema / CEO
Arte France / Arte France Cinéma

Moderator:

BRIONY HANSON | Director of Film
British Council

About the speakers:

PIA LUNDBERG
Pia Lundberg is the Artistic Director of the Göteborg Film Festival. She previously served as Sweden’s Counsellor for Cultural Affairs to the UK (2018–2023) and Head of International at the Swedish Film Institute (2007-2018). A former journalist, she was the Nordic correspondent for Variety and Screen International and editor-in-chief of Cinema. 

ISABEL DAVIS
Isabel leads Screen Scotland, the national body driving development in Scotland’s film and TV industry, through funding and strategic support. Joining in late 2018, she leads the growth of Scottish screen through investing in development and production, enhancing skills and production infrastructure, advocating for screen education, and supporting Scottish talent to increase the quality and diversity of film and television production. From 2011–2018, Isabel was the BFI’s Head of International.

OLIVIER PÈRE
Olivier Père was born on March 17, 1971 in Marseille, France. He started his career as a programmer at the Cinémathèque française - Museum of Cinema in Paris (from 1995 to 2009). From 1997 to 2012 he worked as a film critic for Les Inrockuptibles and various other publications. He also served as the artistic director of the Directors' Fortnight, Cannes from 2004 to 2009. In 2009 he became the artistic director of the Festival del film Locarno (Switzerland). In 2010 he co-wrote a book on Jacques Demy (Editions de la Martinière, Paris) with Marie Colmant and contributed to the book: "Take 100 - The Future of film: 100 New Directors" (Phaidon Press, New York). On November 1st, 2012 he was appointed executive director of Arte France Cinema and director of film acquisitions for ARTE France.

BRIONY HANSON
Briony Hanson is British Council’s Director of Film, responsible for creating international opportunities for UK film. Previously she directed training organisation The Script Factory, headed the Tyneside Cinema and the BFI Programme Unit, and co-programmed London’s LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, BFI Flare. She has been a Grierson Trustee, a board member of both European Film Promotion and Reclaim the Frame, and chaired BAFTA’s Original Debut Award for 3 years. She is also a frequent film critic for BBC Radio 4’s Front Row, and a regular onstage interview host for BAFTA and many others.