You know my stance on what’s wrong with this industry.

 

The problem? You’re a talented indie filmmaker but you’re consistently ignored and it’s easy to become cynical. 

 

So what’s the difference between having a really great film, and getting results!?

 

One of them is getting your film funded and seen. And sales agents are a huge part of that.

 

This is something we worked on for weeks, scouring the internet for the best on this subject — categorized into bite sized chapters.

 

All because I love you.

 

Yes you. 🙂

 

Okay, enough flirting. I’m taken. Share this guide if it adds value to you so you can help other indie filmmakers who are struggling just like you.

– Curt

 

 

• CHAPTER 1: What’s A Sales Agent, And Do I Need One?

• CHAPTER 2: Where To Find A Sales Agent

• CHAPTER 3: How To Convince A Sales Agent To Work With You

• CHAPTER 4: What To AVOID Doing When Working With Sales Agents

• CHAPTER 5: Examples Of Sales Agents Helping Films Get Funded / Distributed

• BONUS CHAPTER: On Distribution And Selling Your Film Internationally

CHAPTER 1: What’s A Sales Agent, And Do I Need One?

Sales agents are the major reason why most films are seen at all.

 

If you’re an indie filmmaker looking to distribute your film / get film investors interested, then you should know exactly who they are and what they do. Here are some resources:

 

–What’s the Difference between a Sales Agent and a Distributor. | Ben Yennie

–Foreign Sales 101: What Independents Need to Know About Selling Films Abroad | Ryan Kampe

–The New Core of the Film Industry – The Sales Agent | Kathryn Arnold

–Distribution 101 – Foreign Sales Agents | Mark Litwak

–Film Sales Agents & Producer Reps: What’s the Difference and Why Should I Care? | Jerome Courshon

–10 Hot and New Sales Agents in Cannes 2017 | Sarah Calderon, Espinar Gabriel

–Sales Agents: Are they Distributors or like Real Estate Brokers? | Ted Hope

–International Film Distribution 101 | Mark Litwak

 

CHAPTER 2: Where To Find A Sales Agent

Now that you know how important sales agents are, how do you start contacting these people?

 

In this industry it’s all about getting your foot in the door, and it’s never a bad idea to reach out even if you think you have little chance of getting a reply (and here’s what you can do when people aren’t following up with you)

 

Here’s some tips to get sales agents to listen to what you have to say:

 

–Attention, Filmmakers: Here’s 6 Traits You Need to Look for in a Sales Agent | Bill Straus

–Working With Sales Agents – AFM 2016 | Michael Rose

–Securing an International Sales Agent | Hayden J. Weal

–6 Tips on How to Successfully work with Sales agents and Distributors |  Miira Paasilinna

–Guide to Documentary Sales Agents at TIFF | Thom Powers

–5 Rules for Getting a Letter of Intent from a Sales Agent | Ben Yennie

–Finding Producer’s Reps and Sales Agents | Stacey Parks

–Distribution: Sales Agents | Steve Balderson

–Finding a Sales Agent | Timelock Film

–Finding a Sales Agent or Producer Representative & What it Means to Your Film | John Forrest

–List of International Sales Agencies and Companies for Film and TV. | Magda Olchawska

–10 Hot and New Sales Agents in Cannes 2017 | Sarah Calderon, Espinar Gabriel

–How to Sell a Movie in The American Film Market | Jason Brubaker

CHAPTER 3: How To Convince A Sales Agent To Work With You

So you got them to talk to you… Now how do you keep them talking?

 

–Selling Short Films: Sales And Distribution For Beginners | Gina Dellabarca

–Sales Agencies in the Film and Television Industry | Madison Rumowicz

–Film Fest Tips: Hire A Sales Agent | Jason Guerrasio

–Cannes: How to Get a Sales Agent or Distributor for Your Unfinished Film | Graham Winfrey

–A Guide to Selling Your Independent Film | Emma Norton

–Sales agents motivated by passion not money, says Rotterdam panel | Tom Grater

 

CHAPTER 4: What To AVOID Doing When Working With Sales Agents

But what if I don’t want to fall in with a sales agent that could let my film down? Any way to see these flaws and call them out?

 

–Do You Still Need A Sales Agent? | Stacey Parks

–Producers Beware! Sales Agencies in the Film and Television Industry | Marriott Harrison

CHAPTER 5: Examples Of Sales Agents Helping Films Get Funded / Distributed

Success in filmmaking is about knowing the path ahead.

 

How you can do that is by reading stories so you know what that path looks like.

 

Here are some behind the scenes perspectives (and REAL LIFE cases) of sales agents at work:

 

–Four leading US sales agents on Netflix, Amazon and why stars aren’t important | Jeremy Kay

–The Sales Agent Perspective on Indie Film Financing | Kathryn Arnold

–The Film Sales Business: Insider Information | Sandy George

–5 Things I Learned Being A Sales Agent That Can Benefit You | Stacey Parks

–Jan Naszewski • Sales agent, New Europe Film Sales | Vassilis Economou

–THREE TOP UK SALES AGENTS TALK STREAMING, RELEASE WINDOWS AND BREXIT | Matt Mueller

–My Top 5 Film Distribution and Marketing Tips of the Week | Jon Reiss

–The Importance of Sales Agents for Your Indie Film – Wisdom from the AFM | Michael Rose

–How to Treat Film as a Business: Tips from IFP Film Week on Financing and Sales Agents | Justin Morrow

–How I started my own film sales agency | Tony Kandah

–TIFF Long Take – Ep. 30: How Sales Agents Became the Champions of Indie Film | Charlotte Mickie

–IFFR: industry veterans debate importance of sales agents | Tiffany Pritchard

–Sales agents motivated by passion not money, says Rotterdam panel | Tom Grater

BONUS CHAPTER: On Distribution And Selling Your Film Internationally

Just because I love you.

 

–The Ins and Outs of Hollywood Film Distribution | Johnathan Paul

–Buffalo 8: How To Sell an Independent Film & Actually Make Money | Ted Hope

–Cannes: Why Sales Agents Are Forced Into Producing Movies | Rebecca Ford

–MAMI Movie Mandi: A Matchmaking Between Sales Agents And Filmmakers | Prachi Pinglay-Plumber

–The State of International Sales for Independent Films | Sheri Candler

–How Agencies Became So Vital To The Indie Film Ecosystem — Deadline Disruptors | Mike Fleming Jr

–Distribution 101 – Foreign Sales Agents | Mark Litwak

–How To Get Your Film Distributed | Jason Sirotin

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Again. If this brought value to you, then share this guide so other filmmakers don’t have to struggling.

 

We have enough needless suffering. There’s no reason someone should have to navigate a maze of information just to figure out what a Sales Agent is and what it can do for them.

 

Keep taking MASSIVE action.

 

– Curt