Film Marketing and Distribution How the Film Markets work

Film Markets Film markets are where Producers and Filmmakers go to meet with Distributors, Sales Agents, and International Buyers. They are the best places to go to get your film into the hands of Distributors.

Film Markets There are 3 major Film Markets that are held every year. The American Film Market (AFM) which happens every November in Santa Monica, CA The European Film Market, which happens in February in Berlin, Germany Marche’ du Film, which happens in May in Canne, France

Film Markets There are 3 major Film Markets that are held every year. The American Film Market (AFM) which happens every November in Santa Monica, CA The European Film Market, which happens in February in Berlin, Germany Marche’ du Film, which happens in May in Canne, France There is also the NATPE meeting (National Association of Television Programming Executives) which happens in January in Miami, Fla. A Film Market is NOT the same thing as a Film Festival. Festivals are about showcasing your film, Markets are about selling it.

Who are the players? Distributor: Someone who takes the film to an end user. The rights that distributors take are generally broken up by both media type and territory Generally they will pay an initial advance

Who are the players? Distributor: End User: Anyone who connects with the paying public. Could be a buyer for a theater chain, pay TV Channel or VOD platform. Or, it could be an entertainment media buyer for a large retail chain like Walmart, or Target.

Who are the players? Distributor: End User: Sales Agent: Can be a person or company Has deep connections into the world of film sales. Specializes in segmenting and selling rights to individual territories. Works on commission (typically 20% to 35%), plus recoupable expenses.

Who are the players? Distributor End User Sales Agent Aggregators: Can be a company or individual Works to help you get on VOD platforms. The most important thing they do is help you to conform your product to the technical specifications required by the various VOD platforms. They also have better access to some VOD platforms such as I-Tunes. They don’t offer much help in marketing. They can be expensive.

Who are the players? Distributor End User Sales Agent Aggregators: Producer of Marketing and Distribution (PMD) Listed as one of the Films Producers Helps develop your marketing and media strategy Works to get into good film festivals Should have distribution connections Worth their weight in gold!!!!

Who are the players? Distributor End User Sales Agent Aggregators: Producer of Marketing and Distribution (PMD) Executive Producer Can help to attract bankable talent Can help to design a solid financial mix Tax incentives Presales Brand integration Equity They will take a percentage of the money you raise, and they may want something upfront

Who are the players? Distributor End User Sales Agent Aggregators: Producer of Marketing and Distribution (PMD): Executive Producer: Producers Rep: Can do the job of both a PMD and an executive producer Acts like an agent for the film and producer Generally paid on commission

Things to think about It’s all about personal connections This is not a place for introverts and surly dispositions Anyone you meet could end up being a key to future success Sometimes it’s 3rd or 4th level connections – a friend of a friend. . . .

Things to think about It’s all about personal connections The further along you are the better (generally):

Things to think about It’s all about personal connections The further along you are the better (generally): Bring 3 different projects: They should be different genres Even if they’re in different stages of development/production Not every buyer will be interested in every project

Things to think about It’s all about personal connections The further along you are the better (generally): Bring 3 different projects: Look for letters of Intent from Distributors

Things to think about It’s all about personal connections The further along you are the better (generally): Bring 3 different projects: Look for letters of Intent from Distributors Focus on Genre Pictures Particularly important for international sales Family movies are particularly strong. So are Action and Thriller (also Horror) Dialog heavy comedies are tough to seel on the international market Try not to mix genres

Things to think about It’s all about personal connections The further along you are the better (generally): Bring 3 different projects: Look for letters of Intent from Distributors Focus on Genre Pictures Particularly important for international sales Family movies are particularly strong. So are Action and Thriller (also Horror) Dialog heavy comedies are tough to sell on the international market Try not to mix genres