Marketing Feature Films
Introduction - a guide for first time film makers
If you are making a feature length film, regardless of whether it is being shot on 35mm, 16mm or mini dv - and you are unsure what to do next - read on.
The very first thing you need to consider is a strategy that encompasses marketing your film to Festivals, Sales Agents and Distributors.
Festivals
There are literally thousands of film festivals all over the world and new events emerge every year.
It is up to you as an independent filmmaker to tailor a festival strategy based on your goal and budget.
Entry fees, dubbing costs, designing and printing slick covers for screening copies, freight and post costs can add up very quickly. Work out how much money you are willing or able to spend and stick to it. Draw the line at what you can realistically afford to spend and tailor a plan accordingly.
Which Festival?
Check out our list of Key Festivals and Markets for the major events. You should also read through our Film Festival Calendar. Depending upon the type of film you have and its genre, you will need to consider different options to suit its particular needs.
NZFC's Post-Production Guidelines include a list of long-established A list festivals which are recognised as major international platforms for films. Unsurprisingly these festivals are extremely competitive and receive thousands of submissions annually. If selected to one of these festivals the NZFC may assist with finishing funds and travel. See the Digital Feature Film post-production guidelines Click here
Film Festivals Directory: http://www.filmfestivals.com
Sales Agents
A sales agent works to sell a film to international distributors and other buyers across a broad range of media including DVD, TV, ancillaries (like hotels and airlines) and new media.
NZ Film (the sales arm of the NZFC) 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 own 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 securing a sales agent or pre-sales. As they rarely have any strong commercial attachments (such as name actors or a well-known director), sales agents will usually want to see the completed film before making a decision about representing it.
Securing selection at a festival with a strong market attached - such as Cannes, Toronto, Berlin and Sundance - is an effective way for low-budget and digital features (with no distribution or sales agent) to create a buzz and attract representation. These Film Markets publish market guides that often give contact details of international sales agents. See Key Festival and Markets Click here.
Distributors
A distributor will license the rights to acquire a film. A theatrical distributor acquires 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. This includes a media campaign, selling the film to exhibitors (cinemas) and they carry the cost of prints and advertising (P & A).
A list of local distributors (covering New Zealand and Australia) is available to Download below.
For at list of UK distributors go to http://www.launchingfilms.com.
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