Restarted negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) raised hopes on the second day of AFM; alas, the day closed without a deal.
45 Top Titles on Offer at AFM
Here’s a roundup of 45 independent films receiving the most significant attention at AFM. As evidenced by the list below, AFM remains a robust market for genre films, and many producers and distributors are reporting strong demand for horror, action, and science fiction titles heading into the market.
American Film Market: Day Two Update
Restarted negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) raised hopes on the second day of AFM; alas, the day closed without a deal.
Despite the absence of a new SAG-AFTRA deal, there are several completed films available, including a mix of international features and independent films from the US that have secured or are securing, interim agreements from the union to begin production.
There are a few completed films ready for theaters, but the bulk of the market consists of films in post-production and those hopeful to start filming in the first few months of 2024.
Nonetheless, there’s a glimmer of activity as several pre-sales packages garner attention. With a shortage of new projects packaged and ready-to-go, sales agencies and producers are betting big on a surge of interest from international buyers, which collapsed in recent years.
Notable Film Distribution Deals at Festivals & Markets
Persistent Problems Even with Strike Resolution
Even with a timely resolution to the ongoing strike, the outlook for independent films looks bleak. Even repeatable box-office successes produced and packaged by Lionsgate have had disastrous theatrical runs. Massive drops in the values of international presales have resulted from these failures.
There were over 50 new films available for US distribution at TIFF this year, but only a handful signed a deal. Outside two significant acquisitions by Netflix for “Hit Man” and “Woman of the Hour,” the market was one of the worst in years.
International film sales and distribution have been in a holding pattern since Cannes, which failed to kickstart a return to pre-lockdown business. While much will be said about the strikes slowing packaging, pre-sales, and production, the demand isn’t there, as evidenced by the lack of US deals at TIFF.
Worldwide Film & Television Distribution Intelligence
Get unparalleled access to market intelligence reports that draw on financial data and insights from dozens of content distribution deals worldwide between key industry participants, including — Distributors, Producers, MPVDs, and Streaming Exhibitors.
Film and Series distribution rates and terms deriving from dozens of agreements for rights to transmit films and episodic television via PayTV and SVOD.
Choose flexible options for single-user PDF downloads.
Licensing Terms & Included Programs:
Pay-1 & SVOD Rate Cards for Motion Pictures and Series Exhibited Worldwide in Multiple Availability Windows
- Motion Pictures: Pay-1, First Run, Second Window Features, Recent Library Features (Tiers AAA,A,B,C), Library Features (Tiers AAA,A,B,C), Current and Premium Made-For-TV Films and Direct-To-Video Films, covering many license periods over the last decade
- Episodic TV: Current, Premium, Premium Catalog (1HR & 1/2HR), Catalog Series (1HR & 1/2HR), and Catalog Miniseries + Case Studies on Current Mega Hit, Catalog Mega Hit, and Premium Catalog, covering many licensing terms from 2012-2024
- Because most-favored-nation rates operate in practice, the rates and terms apply to a diverse range of content and distributors worldwide in multiple availability windows.
FilmTake Away: The Uncertain Road Ahead
An actor’s agreement, particularly during AFM, would end the ongoing uncertainties that have weighed heavily on the independent film industry.
Industry insiders eagerly await a resolution so they can get back to business. More importantly, rejuvenate independent filmmaking that’s been grappling with structural challenges.