Panel: If no one watches?
Challenges in documentary film distribution
29.05, 17.30 – 18.30 ASP 1
The myth of a ‘golden age of documentary’ was burst a few years ago and today we are faced with the uncomfortable question – why do we keep making docs if no one watches?
With the landscape of independent documentary distribution changing rapidly, it is crucial to rethink our distribution strategies, redefine what success looks like, and cultivate transnational collaborations. Reconnecting with audiences in meaningful, long lasting ways has become more urgent than ever.
We invite you to join us for a discussion with producers and documentary professionals from Poland and Scotland as we explore innovative and radical solutions to these pressing challenges.
Speakers: Jenny Horwell (Bertha DocHouse) – tbc, Graham Fulton (Conic Distribution), Monika Braid (Braidmade Films) and Reece Cargan (Randan)
Moderator: Flore Cosquer (Scottish Documentary Institute)
- Reece Cargan |Randan
Reece is a BAFTA nominated and RTS award winning producer and founder of production companies ‘Bombito productions’ & ‘Randan’. Reece has produced numerous award winning work, most recently he co-produced two features with the Netherlands – with support from Screen Scotland and the Netherlands Film Fund. Randan work across a varied slate of feature projects that span drama, documentary and animation. They have four theatrical release scheduled for 2025/2026. Reece is a proud alumnus of EAVE Producer’s Workshop, Rotterdam Lab, BFI Insight, ACE EU mentoring and Torino Film Lab. Reece was recently appointed as the EAVE national coordinator for the UK. Reece – as his slate attests, is passionate about working with and turning up the volume of queer talent, with a focus on intersectional LGBTQIA+ stories & voices.
- Graham Fulton | Conic
Graham is co-founder of Conic, and heads-up distribution and acquisition. Before starting Conic with business partner Jen Davies, Graham was Director of Sales at Park Circus, distributing and selling films directly to cinemas, film festivals and distributors around the world. Representing many of the Hollywood studios, some of the documentaries he helped release internationally include Free Solo, Three Identical Strangers, Human Flow and American Utopia.
Conic is a UK / Ireland distributor releasing bold and ambitious films. Since launching in October 2022, they have released several award-winning titles, documentaries include BAFTA-nominated ELECTRIC MALADY (Dir. Marie Lidén), European Film Award winner SMOKE SAUNA SISTERHOOD (Dir. Anna Hints) and BAFTA nominated IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE? (Dir. Ella Glendining), THE TASTE OF MANGO (dir. Chloe Abrahams).
- Flore Cosquer | Scottish Documentary Institute
Bringing a wealth of experience in both narrative and documentary production, Flore became an integral part of the Scottish Documentary Institute in 2010 where she produced several award-winning shorts and feature documentaries for broadcast as well as for international distribution and managed the organisation’s various industry and training programmes. Flore’s deep-rooted passion for talent development and commitment to nurturing non-fiction filmmakers led to her appointment as Managing Director in 2022. Beyond her leadership role, Flore actively advocates for the growth and sustainability of the independent documentary industry by serving as a member of the EURODOC and Documentary Film Council’s boards. At the intersection of art and industry, Scottish Documentary Institute champions the independent documentary field in Scotland and beyond, through the nurturing of filmmakers and audiences.
- Monika Braid | Braidmade Films
Born in Krakow (Poland), where she completed her MA in Film Studies at the Jagiellonian University. She has lived in the UK since 1995. She is EAVE graduate and an expert of the Polish Film Institute. In 2006 she set up her company Braidmade Films in London. Her credits include frequently awarded films such as The Wall of Shadows (2020), K2 – Touching the Sky (2015), Waking Under Water (2014) and more. Her latest film The Last Expedition was awarded Polish Academy Award ORŁY 2025.
BRAIDMADE FILMS Set up in London in 2006 in order to develop and produce independent films. Based in St Leonards, UK we are keen to work with international talents to produce films of high quality: fiction, documentaries, and experimental. We are interested in films that relate to a universal human experience and appeal to viewers from various cultural backgrounds. In 2012 we opened our outlet in Krakow, Poland. Since its foundation, we produced many successful documentaries winning top international awards.
Panel is a part of DOC IN COMMON – Scottish UK Delegation at Krakow FF / KFF Industry
supported by:
