Marketing and Distribution

What is a sales agent?
A sales agent works to sell a film to international broadcasters and theatrical distributors. NZ Film (the sales agency 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 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 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 the NZFC it will need to be accompanied by an application for the Feature Film Finishing Grant 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 Finishing Grant and Short Film Post-Production Guidelines identify festivals that the NZFC will support a New Zealand filmmaker to attend where their film is invited to screen, including 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 NZFC?
If a New Zealand 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. Our level of support and advice will vary from project to project.

Which festivals are recognised by the NZFC for funding purposes and how is this list determined?
The festivals identified in the Feature Film Finishing Grant Guidelines 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.