About
About the EDCF
The EDCF is a non-profit, vendor-neutral forum for innovation and knowledge sharing on the future of the big screen.
Founded in 2000, the European Digital Cinema Forum played an instrumental role in the digitisation of European cinemas, helping the industry navigate one of its most significant technological transitions with minimal disruption.
Today, the EDCF continues to unite professionals from across the film ecosystem - including trade associations, standards bodies, cinema operators, manufacturers, service providers, distributors, post-producers, and content creators - to explore the evolving landscape of cinema technology. From sustainability and premium formats to AI and cybersecurity, the EDCF's agenda has evolved alongside the industry it serves, while its founding principle remains unchanged: providing a neutral space for open dialogue and shared understanding across Europe's diverse cinema landscape.
Executive Team
Cathy Huis in 't Veld-Esser
President
Cathy is CTO and co-owner of Gofilex, where she built the ODD digital content delivery network now serving 13.000+ cinemas worldwide and weekly live events.
Guillaume Branders
Executive Director
Founder of studio funambule, Guillaume has been immersed in the cinema industry for almost 15 years, including as Head of Industry Relations at UNIC, the trade association of European cinemas.
Patrick von Sychowski
Vice President
An industry veteran with 25 years of experience, Patrick worked with Unique Digital, Deluxe and CinemaNext, and co-founded Celluloid Junkie, a leading publication on the global cinema industry.
Tammo Buhren
Treasurer
Tammo is CEO of zweiB GmbH and Vandors GmbH, a key figure in cinema technology since 2003, supporting projects from film premieres to integrative cinema solutions.
Board
David Hancock
Board Member
Past president and leading expert on the global film and cinema market, David leads Omdia’s cinema team and played a fundamental role in the conversion to digital projection.
Sonia Ragone
Board Member
Senior Industry Relations & Research Manager at UNIC. Sonia joined UNIC in 2023 after seven years at Europa Cinemas, and represents European exhibitors in cinema-technology and policy discussions.
Pranay Kumar
Board Member
Co-founder and CTO of GDC Technology with over 24 years in digital cinema, leading world-first innovations from the first software-based cinema server to Cinema Automation CA2.0.
Ulrika Sundbäck
Board Member
Programme officer for distribution and exhibition at the Swedish Film Institute, where she has worked since 2017 on cinema support, audience development and funding for cinema organisations.
Steve LLamb
Board Member
VP, Media Technology Standards at Deluxe, co-chair of SMPTE 21DC and Convenor of ISO TC-36/WG 1, with 15+ years shaping D-Cinema and IMF workflows and standards.
Jan Petersen
Board Member
Independent cinema-technology advisor and founder of Cinetech Consulting. Formerly Head of Technology at Vue International and CTO of Nordisk Film Cinemas, he now advises Danske Biografer and its members.
Alice Tentori
Board Member
Cinema professional since 2004 and Sales & Marketing Operations Specialist at DCA Italy. Former Country Manager Italy at RealD and Sales Specialist at Digima; co-founder of SAAV, producing audio description for visually impaired audiences.
Julian Pinn
Board Member
Audio and imaging specialist with two decades in media entertainment technology, SMPTE Fellow, Chair of the BSI Cinematography committee and founder of Julian Pinn Ltd.
Jan Runge
Board Member
Strategy advisor with 25 years in entertainment and technology, former CEO of UNIC and currently Vice President International at the ICTA.
Robert Sigfusson
Board Member
Senior Advisor for Cinema Design and Technology at Film & Kino, formerly CTO of Norway’s largest cinema chains and Head of Construction at ODEON Cinemas Group.
Bas van Heek
Board Member
Strategic Marketing Director for Barco Cinema since 2019, bringing a mix of technology, business and cinema knowledge, active in ICTA Europe and the SAWA digital committee.
Julia Vinokurova
Board Member
Director of Operations for RealD in Europe, with 15 years in cinema technology operations, business development and technical support. She previously led RealD’s EMEAR operations and completed an Executive MBA at Cranfield.