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Aug 13, 2007

How to Sell Your Film at the American Film Market (AFM)

Moving Pictures Magazine published a useful step-by-step overview covering how to sell your project at the AFM. The article summarizes the kind of coaching Sharp Angle provides to its clients. Here is the quick overview:

“Identify the elements that constitute your package and be able to pitch it in a brief period of time.”
“Of the 400 companies at the AFM, it’s unlikely that any film would suit any more than 25 or 30. Put together your list.”
Utilize the screenings, pitch sessions, locations expo, and other resources
With your research complete, buy a half-market badge and start making the rounds

Take a look at the full article for additional details. Moving Pictures Magazine

Visit ifta-online for more information on the American Film Market.

The 2007 AFM takes place October 31 - November 7, 2007.

2 Comments, Comment or Ping

Darlene Cypser

I just read that Moving Pictures Magazine article (again probably) that you mentioned above. I have to say that I think it was entirely made up by some who has never tried it. In fact it sounds like they haven’t actually been to AFM. I’m an exhibitor at AFM. So I know how it works. You can’t “walk through the offices of all of the companies to confirm what you read in Step #2″ The offices are in hotel rooms. You can’t just walk through them.

The bigger companies like Lionsgate have a receptionist right inside the door who isn’t going to let anyone in the door without an appointment. “For the companies you want to meet with, ask directly for the person who does acquisitions.” It doesn’t matter if you ask for the person by name. Either a) they aren’t there or b) they won’t see you. You need to realize that the exhibitors at AFM are there to *sell* movies. Most of the people in the offices are the sales people. If the acquisitions people are at the market they are most likely off in some other office meeting with the sales people there. Unless you have an inside contact and make an appointment before AFM, the odds of even meeting with such people is very very low.

The offices that will let you in the door are sales agents (even though some of them call themselves distributors). In most cases these are much smaller companies who represent independent films and sell them to foreign distributors (where the cash is) and/or domestic distributors. Most sales agents are not production companies (ours is an exception) and most won’t finance your movie production or acquire scripts. You might be greeted with patented Hollywood “enthusiasm” but your odds of actually financing a movie that way are not very high.

If you have a completed movie, you might be able to find a sales agent to represent your movie. However, be very cautious and review all contracts with a lawyer. There are a lot of wolves in those dens and they can eat you alive.

Oct 21st, 2007
FilmBiz101

Thanks for the great comment! I agree with you that strolling into the sales suites is probably not going to happen. However, I think that AFM has become an important meeting place for people involved in independent film. It is great for networking and I find that the seminars are usually very valuable.

I do think it is possible to make an advance appointment with acquisitions people, if you do it prior to the market. This is very hit-or-miss, and the larger the company the harder it is to get that advance appointment.

Would greatly appreciate any updates you can provide from AFM!

Oct 22nd, 2007