British film sales agents head to Cannes in a mood of stubborn determination. We will do our best not to threaten President Donald Trump’s threat to 100% tariffs on all films imported from “foreign land.” Mainly because when writing, no one fully understands what that means.
“I don’t have a clue. I don’t know if someone has a clue or what that means,” says David Garrett, CEO of Mr. Smith Entertainment. “Is he going to put tariffs on independent films? Is it a minimum guaranteed tariff? Is there a budget? Whatever it is, it doesn’t make sense.”
Garrett says he has no intention of affecting how Trump’s comments make business in Cannes or how he is involved in the US market. “To be honest, I think what anyone can do is simply ignore it. That doesn’t make sense. I’m honestly not going to spend the nanoseconds of time trying to decipher what it means when nothing means anything.”
Others reflect the “attention to panic” approach. However, for some people, it is difficult to put an attitude threat on one side. Many UK independent films rely on US deals for funding, as well as US production partners and US investments.
“It may never be effective, but the possibility of such a tariff alone creates unnecessary uncertainty for the US market, which is just beginning to show positive signs of recovery after a strike,” one UK sales agent said. screen Earlier this week. “The double deterrent effect of affecting the production capital of films that rely on US sales can make selling of lines as important collateral for financial investors and importing foreign language films outlawed.”
Aside from this volatile uncertainty, some sales agents say they are heading to Cannes on the biggest slate ever.
“If everything comes together, we’ll get the largest lineup in the company’s history,” says Gabriel Stewart, CEO of Hanway Films.
Includes additions to Hanway Slate Creep Remake Creep Jasmine Jobson and British rapper Aitch star in emotional thriller Photo booth Lily James, Raffy Cassidy and Werner Herzog starring Backing Fastard Kate and Rooney Mara headlined, along with Orlando Bloom and Donnall Gleason.
Mr. Smith is in a similar position. “Aside from the slates I had when I was working with DreamWorks, leaving Mr. Smith signed multiple output contracts with DreamWorks in 2012, which could be the biggest and most commercial slate ever.
He sells shark serial killer thriller Dangerous animals In two weeks as director. Slate’s new feature is a magical, realistic drama Accompanist, Plus starring Susan Sarandon and Aubrey Plaza Horror Please don’t talk hidden From the range of US production costumes Long Rug.
Why does the bumper slate?
“The market is being readjusted,” Garrett says. “We all know and understand that what the buyers are looking for is a theatrical film. But interpreting that means that the film is much more likely to be released in theaters, which probably means a larger budget and is more clearly commercial. That doesn’t mean that we are avoiding the higher fares, but the higher fares are very difficult to sell in advance, and relying on festival performances and broader admiration.”
Cannes’ praise in 2024 especially encouraged the awards season and box office success.
“aor, Emilia Perez, apprentice, flow, Girl with a needle – All of these films have won Oscar nominations or awards, and have generated serious, specialized box office revenue around the world. This Cannes has the excitement to see if it can replicate commercial and award success,” says Fabian Westerhoff, who will be taking part in the first marketplace as a global constellation of the British costume sales film Constellation.
It was acquired by the Pan-European Vuelta Group and merged with the Global Screen of German costumes for sale just before Cannes. Now, the company has graduated completely, shares offices in Cannes, working on a single slate. Global Constellation has acquired the director’s two-week title Lucky Lou.
As independent film spaces become more and more competitive, many sales agents are anticipating further consolidation. “No doubt,” said one agent.
Who is buying it?
According to many sellers, Germany looks healthy as a market to sell, but many have expressed concern internationally about the PAY-1 window (the first exclusive release window following the release of film plays and home entertainment).
“The biggest challenge at the moment is the risk profile we have to take,” says Ed Caffrey, head of acquisition and business development for the UK-Irish distributor Vertigo release.
“We are a company with no output trading so we need to sell titles from SVOD to titles. At the moment, like economics, we hope to find a partner who sees its value.
Architect Partner Calum Grey – Who Starts a Romantic Comedy Remove Matthew At Cannes, some distributors are intrigued to set up their own SVOD platform in response to the “lockdown” of PAY-1. For example, Cineverse controls Screambox in the US, Icon Film distribution has an icon channel in the UK, and Australia’s Madman has a documentary streaming platform called Docplay in the Territory.
“The movement is interesting,” Gray says. “I want to see where it goes in the market. The more you control your destiny with all your rights, the healthier your business will be.”
Overeall in Asia has been a difficult post-pandemic, but Taiwan, Indonesia and Vietnam have shown green shoots, especially for family entertainment and animation. However, Japan is tough for non-state independent titles.
“We are cautious, and distributors are cautious,” says Maya Amserem, founder and managing director of West End Films, which continues to sell thrillers. Towing, Break the cover and uncle. “From what the distributors say, a lot of projects are announced and then not made. They are cautious because they have to be a big film or an independent space.
“Ironically, the most buoyant territory will probably be in Russia,” said one sales agent.
UK-Accuracy is important for Ireland buyers. “You’re trying to find something very clear commercially. When you’re buying in advance, you’re taking a lot of completion risk,” explains Vertigo’s Caffrey.
“Theatre landing pads have become smaller and smaller in recent years due to independent films,” says Zak Brillion, head of Metfilm Distribution. “We’re always thinking about marketing, what the campaign looks like, what the critical response is. We’re thinking about it at the point of negotiation.”
Such prudence takes time and pressures to close trades during markets that are generally limited to festival films.
“People are much smarter about the decisions they make and it takes time to make them by proxy,” Brilliant says.
Genre Hunt
Horror still dominates the market, with plenty of smart comedies like Simon Bird I pretend not to be here Starring Matthew Broderick, Sally Hawkins and Martin Freeman for Cornerstone.
About a couple offered to evacuate to Jewish perfume salesmen during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.
“Now, even in the subtle ways, films that should be said politically are interesting,” says Mark Gooder, co-chairman of Cornerstone. “If they can find a way to provide a form of entertainment with that approach, that’s good too. Markets around the world are looking for comfort.
But straight comedy continues to be difficult. “Comedy is cultural and it’s difficult in the indie field to cast them well,” says Stewart of Hanway. “A-list talents tend to want to do independent films to win awards. For some reason, comedies get little traction for awards. This is completely wrong. I’m desperately looking for something that can travel. It’s broad enough for people to solve the challenges of modern romantic comedy.
Stewart also wants to see a better quality thriller on the market. “They’re funny, so I think there’s an audience looking for a good thriller.”
Architect’s Gray sees great potential for the independent film business to lean towards the Gen Z market. “Gen Z and the young millennials are very experiential. The experience is a real bounty. They can return to their bodies with them. (Online social platform) I’m happy to see infrastructure appearing around them, like the letter boxd.
(TagStoTRASSLATE)Cannes (T)Cannes Market (T)Sales (T)UK/Ireland
