HELP! Distributor wants to take my film to Cannes. What do I do now??????

I

ironwolf

New member
HELP!!

I am clueless about the business side of film distribution.

ITN Film Distribution (www.ITNDistribution.com) wants to take my film to Cannes.

They say the booths cost $30,000 and that they only take films they think they can sell.

They ask for $2500 for expenses and 25% of any sales/deals made.

Is this a good deal? Am I being taken advantage of? Is this the same as other distributors charge?

PLEASE help and give any advise concerning this.

Thanks in advance

Michael Relfe
mrelfe@relfe.com
 
They want you to give them $2500? Or do they mean they'll take $2500 off the top of any sales, then 25% from then on?
 
If they're legit, they won't ask for the money up front, but rather take it out of any money that comes in from the sale.

It kinda sounds like they're asking for someone to pay for a vacation to France...
 
Don't pay somebody a fee to distribute your film.

Those guys are supposed to make money from your revenue
stream only. If they're asking for money up front, they are
at best not very good at their job, and at worst con
artists.

A distributor should pay you for the right to make
money from your film. It's called an "advance against
royalties." If there's no advance, they don't want your
film very badly.

In the long run, it's better to have no distributor than a
bad distributor making your film look bad in the
marketplace.

IMHO, YMMV
 
The marketing fee is $2500

The marketing fee is $2500

Hi

The marketing fee is $2500 upfront. They advise that it is to help with expenses. This is for 1 year and includes 3 shows. CANNES 2006, NAPTE 2006 and AFM 2006 so its actually about $800 a show. I have to supply all screener copies and posters. He advised they send a team of 40 to CANNES

ITN Distribution has a large portfolio and I am sure they are legit. I am just trying to figure out if the other distributors charge the same.

Please advise if you have any more info

Thanks

Michael Relfe
 
Don't do it, they're a well-known outfit who does this kind of thing. They have a large portfolio that they represent, but that isn't what they've sold. Do some searching on the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival, and you'll see what type of organization you're dealing with.

No distributor worth anything will ever charge YOU a penny. They'll steal the money that would be rightfully due you, sure... but they won't add insult to injury by trying to charge YOU cash!
 
This reminds me of these 'Modeling and Talent Agencies' that sucker these poor actors into paying THEM for representation
 
A legit distributor won't ask you to put money up at first, you've already put up the money to get the film made...and they certainly wouldn't ask you to create promotional items like posters, flyers, screeners, etc...a legit company wouldn't do that.

An example of a well known distribution company that has a similar "business model" is Troma in NYC. They have a HUGE catalogue of movies, almost all of them small indie films that were made for less than $50,000 (one of my films is part of their catalogue)...they asked of all kinds of stuff up front and we gave it to them...we never saw a penny from them and later found out that they were selling the film internationally when we only gave them North American rights...now it's a court case.

Be careful when you decide to go with a distributor...you're handing over something that you put a lot of time, sweat, blood, etc. into and it sucks that much more when you get screwed...
 
maybe you would be better off buying a ticket out there yourself.. take your sleeping bag, some dvds and do some networking.
 
another shady thing i noticed is that one their website they also seem to be a travel agency. For whatever fee they will give you a guide for cannes, show you where to get an apartment, show you the night life and "chic" shopping spots.......c'mon now, what kind of reputable distributor does that kind of thing. They're clearly small business men.
 
DUDE IF YOU DIDN'T GET IT YET... DON'T DO IT... SCREW THEM.

Or better yet, give them a copy of the first short film you ever made (the one you wouldn't show someone at gunpoint) and give THAT to them. Then when when they ask what the hell it is, tell them to shine it up real nice, turn it sideways... AND SHOVE IT UP THEIR ASS... and TAKE THAT TO CANNES.


all I can say is if you go with them, then you are a SUCKER, and BTW, I am starting my own distribution company... If you want to sign up with me, I'll take you to Cannes, Toronto, Telluride, Sudance, Venice, and even the Oscars, for the low low price of $666.00. Of course, you'll have to pay for your hotel, travel, food costs, in addition to MY 40 person team, and any hookers we blow coke off during the after party... coke will be included at no extra cost, because we REALLY believe in your film's potential, and want to see it go ALL. THE. WAY.

hoo raa!
 
Dont EVER pay upfront fees to any distributor.

No real company takes any upfront fees. I've had 3 films go to Cannes for sale with 2 different companies. Never have I paid anything upfront. A real distrib will offer you a deal, say 15-25% of the take, they may also add a fee for marketing too (although i never agree to it hehe) but its always from the sale. Also the sale may take awhile after its done as well. I sold Thailand, for example, at AFM last year and they didnt want delivery until late Decemeber.
 
Stay away! So much of this crap is out there. I've also been a part of a Cannes project.. and when they talk about booths, they could be inside the men's bathroom for all you know.. Or at another venue or in a hotel. Ya just don't know...


And yep.. got to stay away from anyone wanting money from you.
 
you rather give theme 50% if you have to of the revenue ,and not give a dollar cash , this way you know they ligit and they will work hard to earn the money, and even if you loose on your first feature its ok.
how many do you know that made it big in there first film? ......chances are very very low.
 
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