Learn from entertainment lawyer and producer Elizabeth Kormanova, who has helped close financing for the movies THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER, PINOCCHIO, THE CARD COUNTER, MAY DECEMBER, LEE and more!

You'll receive a Sales Agency Term Sheet Template, Distribution Deal Memo Template, and Royalty Report Template to help on your next project!

Pre-sale financing of a feature film involves working with a sales agent to secure distribution agreements with international buyers BEFORE the film is even produced. Utilizing pre-sales is a crucial component in film financing that can contribute directly to the success of your movie. Pre-sales financing is usually navigated by financial specialists called sales agents. This is how many independent films get financed and made and Stage 32 is here to show you how it's done. 

By understanding the importance of the role of a sales agent and how to utilize pre-sales film financing, filmmakers can not only secure the necessary funds but also gain valuable market validation and mitigate financial risks. But there are things to consider when trying to secure pre-sales financing. When do you need to consider pre-sale financing? How do you find a sales agent that is a good match for your project? How do you approach a sales agent and negotiate your deal? And, once you’ve completed your film, how can you ensure it receives wide distribution? And then how can you monitor the results of your film's distribution most effectively?

In this information-packed advanced film financing Stage 32 webinar, you will learn how to effectively work with sales agents, set up pre-sale film financing, and navigate the world of international sales and distribution to ensure the best distribution deals possible for your project.

Teaching you everything you need to know about pre-sale film financing and working with a sales agent is entertainment lawyer and producer Elizabeth Kormanova. Elizabeth has worked on the financial closings of the feature films THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, PINOCCHIO directed by Matteo Garrone, THE CARD COUNTER directed by Paul Schrader, MAY DECEMBER directed by Todd Haynes, LEE directed by Ellen Kuras, and more! Elizabeth is excited to share her abundant insight on this topic exclusively with the Stage 32 community.

You will learn how to assess your financial plan utilizing pre-sale financing and how to coordinate it with other potential funding sources, such as equity, grants, or tax incentives. You will also learn how to prepare your sales materials, how to collaborate with sales agents and buyers to create a comprehensive marketing and distribution plan and how to maximize the revenue potential of your film and keep track of the results.

There will be a Q&A with Elizabeth where you’ll be able to ask her specific questions and receive her guidance on how to best approach your own work with sales agents.

PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help you navigate pre-sale financing and working with a sales agent on your next project. Downloads include:

• Sales Agency Term Sheet template
• Distribution Deal Memo template
• Royalty Report template

If you want to produce successful independent films, this webinar is a must!

"I like to think about sharing ideas as an open-source code in the context of software development. Fostering collaboration and innovation, it is not merely about spreading knowledge but creating a communal effort to refine and build upon, making the journey richer for all." - Elizabeth Kormanova

• What is the role of a Sales Agent?
  • Pre-sale stage
  • Increase investors’ confidence
  • Market launch and distribution strategy
• Pre-sale finance and its part in the financing mix
  • Pre-sale collateral, notices of assignment
  • Gap financing
  • When should you use pre-sale financing? 
  • Pros and cons to pre-sale finance
• Post-production stage
  • International sales/gap sales
  • How does your festival premiere come into play? 
• How to secure a Sales Agent
  • Market study and useful databases
  • Project presentation on a pre-sale stage (main elements: screenplay, budget, financial plan, producing partners)
  • When to approach a Sales Agent
    • Pre-sale level vs. completed films
• How to best work with a Sales Agent
  • Sales Agency Term Sheets and Sales Agency Agreements: main deal terms
  • Sales estimates
  • Distribution deals
  • Delivery of the Film to Sales Agent and to distributors
  • Royalty reporting
• Q&A with Elizabeth

Disclaimer: The information and handouts provided on this webinar do not, and are not intended to, constitute legal advice; all content, information and materials available on this webinar are solely for general informational purposes. Attendees should contact their legal counsel to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter.

All level of filmmakers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn the fundamentals of pre-sale film financing and working with a sales agent.

All level of filmmakers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn when you should utilize pre-sale film financing and a sales agent in your film production and release.

All level of producers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn the fundamentals of pre-sale film financing and working with a sales agent.

All level of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to get involved in the production of their project by learning the fundamentals of pre-sale film financing and working with a sales agent.