Marketing and Distribution

What is a Sales Agent?
A sales agent works to sell a film to international broadcasters and theatrical distributors. New Zealand Film (the sales agency arm of the New Zealand Film Commission) acts as the sales agent for the majority of films with NZFC investment. Almost all films that appear on cinema screens have secured a sales agent, mainly because few producers have the time or contacts to promote their film to all the potential buyers. Sales agents may become involved with a project at any stage from development to completion and are an essential part of the financing strategy, promotion and positioning of a film to meet its international audience.

Most low-budget and digital feature films are produced without the securing a sales agent or theatrical distributor. As they rarely have any strong commercial attachments (such as name actors or a well-known director) most broadcasters will want to see a completed film before making a decision about representing a film. Securing a screening at a festival with a strong market attached such as Cannes, Sundance and Toronto, is the most effective way for low-budget and digital features with no distribution or sales agent to create a buzz and attract representation.

What is a Distributor?
A distributor will license the rights to broadcast or screen a film. A theatrical distributor is a company that will acquire the rights to promote and release a film in a particular country or group of countries (known as a territory).

As digital technologies proliferate, low-budget or digital films will find it increasingly difficult to secure a home territory DVD release, let alone theatrical. The market is incredibly competitive, even in New Zealand.

Local distributors will plan and oversee the release strategy for a film including a media campaign; sell the film to exhibitors (cinemas); and carry the cost of prints and advertising (P & A).

Can NZ Film be my Sales Agent?
NZ Film cannot provide feedback on unsolicited material. If you would like to submit your feature film to NZ Film or Film Commission staff it will need to be accompanied by an application to the Feature Film Post-Production Guidelines Click here

What support does the NZFC offer to local filmmakers whose digital feature, feature film or short film gets accepted or invited to international festivals?
The Feature Film Post-Production Guidelines and Short Film Post-Production Guidelines identify festivals that the NZFC will support a NZ filmmaker to attend where their film is invited to screen. Some of these festivals include Sundance, Cannes, Berlin, Venice and New York. Full guidelines are found for feature films: Click here; and for short films Click here

Does NZFC support differ if a film is produced independently of the Commission?
If a NZ made feature length digital film or short film is accepted into competition at a major international film festival, filmmakers should approach the Commission regardless of what kind of production or development support the film has received from any source or sponsor. Level of support and advice will vary from project to project.

Which festivals are recognized by the Commission for funding purposes and how is this list determined?
The festivals identified on in the Digital and Short Film Post-Production Guidelines are reviewed regularly and can alter depending on the reputation of the festival, the ongoing advantages of attendance for New Zealand filmmakers, and the resources of the NZFC. For example, the Cannes Film Festival and Market is the premiere festival on the European circuit in which to finance and sell feature films. Other international funding agencies have differing lists dependent on the limitations of resources, access for filmmakers and the networking and potential financing opportunities that the festival represents. It is worth noting that funding for travel and post-production is limited and funding is highly competitive.