Distribution

From Blockbusters to Bust: Why the Film Industry is Fading Fast

The film industry is transforming with declining revenues, reducing film output, and a shift in consumer preferences. Major studios are consolidating and struggling, while television emerges as a dominant medium. Theaters face over-leveraging challenges. Streaming services haven’t compensated for theatrical declines.

Production

UK’s New Film Tax Credit Attracts US Producers Igniting Optimism

The UK’s Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC), starting April 2025, offers a 53% Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit for films under £15 million. While boosting UK interest at Cannes, concerns about financing and costs remain. Rising US streamer influence and production expenses challenge UK independents, demanding global strategies for sustainability.

Distribution

Inside Cannes 2024: Adapting to Struggles and Shifts in the Independent Film Market

At this year’s Cannes, there’s a mix of optimism and weariness. High asking prices and low theatrical demand are notable. Streamers like Apple and Netflix lead significant acquisitions, sidelining traditional distributors. The market remains cautious, focusing on star-driven projects and strategic financial planning.

Distribution

The Struggle to Shine: Steering Through the Post-Theatrical Era

The independent market is at a crossroads. Traditional strategies are no longer effective, and the task of bringing audiences back to cinemas remains daunting. Insiders are actively pursuing solutions to these seemingly insurmountable challenges. Despite these obstacles, some believe the film industry is on the verge of recovery.

Distribution

Cannes Conundrum: Navigating the New Realities of the Independent Film Market

A significant concern voiced since the start of Cannes is the noticeable absence of US theatrical deals. This void has a cascading effect on international distribution. Films without a US distributor face deteriorating values over time, making it increasingly challenging to recoup production budgets.

Distribution

Revealing the Financial Deals Behind Top Market Films at Major Festivals

Integrating independent films into mainstream platforms like Hulu and Max signifies a broader shift towards looking outside the studio system for films to attract and retain subscribers. The recent deal between A24 and Warner Bros. underscores the escalating competition in the streaming space.

Distribution

Market Outlook Positive: Buyers Enthused by Film Offerings and Presale Packages

Despite the challenges at AFM, TIFF, and EFM in restoring pre-lockdown attendance levels, Cannes has flourished, showing consistent growth and culminating in its largest market in years. Following the first day of Cannes, the atmosphere remains upbeat as sales agents and producers indicate strong interest from international buyers.

Distribution

Cannes Cheat Sheet: What Films are Screening, Who’s Representing Distribution Rights, and Territories Taken

After years of declining demand for independent films, producers, sales agencies, and distributors report a significant pre-sales market resurgence heading into Cannes. Download Your Free Cannes Film Festival Cheat Sheet Below with Titles, Directors, Sales Representatives, Deals Signed, Links to IMDbPro, and More.

Licensing Analytics

Film Distribution Advance Report: 2024 Re-Release

Whether packaging, producing, buying, or selling a film, the Film Distribution Advance Report is the only published resource that includes historic advance values paid by distributors in most territories.

Distribution

All Eyes on Cannes After Strong Sales at EFM and Sundance

Given the number and quality of projects at Sundance and EFM Berlin, there is a feeling of cautious optimism going into Cannes next week. This year’s Cannes will launch a new Cannes Remakes initiative focusing on remaking European films, with a focus on France, Italy, and Spain.

Streaming

Europe Wants More Production Support from US Streaming Services

Over 20 production entities spanning Europe and beyond have united forces, embarking on a mission to rally local governments to champion the cause of regional film and television creators and urge major US streaming platforms to amplify their support for locally produced content.

Streaming

Who’s Thriving and Who’s Struggling: Annual Streaming Scorecard Part Five

It’s difficult to overstate the disastrous few years Warner Bros. has experienced under inept leadership. Boosting one of the most desirable film and television catalogs, the company has stumbled over every vital decision since 2020. WBD’s financials reflect the industry’s broader issues.

Streaming

Navigating the Siren Song of Streaming as Studios Get Caught in the Undertow

Hollywood’s approach to thriving in streaming has taken a sharply negative turn in the past few years. Initially, the strategy involved pouring resources into content to lure subscribers and ending profitable licensing agreements with aggregators like Netflix, banking on eventual profitability.

Distribution

Cracking the Code: Inside the Intricate World of Content Licensing Deals and Slate Programming

As streaming platforms vie to capture marketshare in a view-from-home environment, the recent deal between A24 and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) brings A24’s eclectic catalog exclusively to HBO and Max after their theatrical runs illustrating the need for studios to look elsewhere for interesting films.