UPDATED: Sundance Heats Up
After a slow start to the 35th annual Sundance Film Festival, the weekend produced a handful of sizable deals, including from Amazon Studios, Searchlight Pictures, and Lionsgate.
Distribution
Sundance Slumps
Deal activity is muted so far at this year’s festival despite claims that producers and sales agents were withholding their best films at TIFF in September to introduce at Sundance.
What US Independent Distributors Want
Discover in their own words what elements 26 US distributors are searching for when they acquire distribution rights at Sundance.
Will Sundance Boom or Bust?
After a lackluster Sundance in 2018, last year was full of mega-deals, especially by Netflix and Amazon. Buyers spent over $120 million acquiring rights to some 40 films.
Box Office Declines
The box office in North America was down almost 5% from 2018 even after rising ticket prices, and despite a slew of mega-budget franchise films being released.
Monopolizing Europe
The studio cartel system continues to thrive in Europe even after several seemingly disruptive interventions by the European Commission.
How Amazon Releases Films
Amazon Studios has relied on traditional distribution practices to foster greater collaboration with gatekeepers in Hollywood. However, after playing second fiddle to Netflix for the better part of a decade, Amazon is changing its theatrical strategy stateside.
Disney Fights Fire
The battle between streaming services is heating up. Amazon and Disney have been unable to reach terms regarding Amazon’s Fire TV devices.
Netflix and Amazon Retreat
Netflix and Amazon, who were once touted as the saviors of the indie film market, are retreating from acquisitions to focus on producing more original films.
What Distributors Want
Discover what type of films independent distributors want to acquire in their own words. Understand what elements 26 U.S. distributors are looking for when they acquire a film at TIFF or elsewhere.