I would like to go to the site of one of the many organizations dedicated to supporting filmmakers and easily find links to a list of foreign sales agents.
For that matter, I would like to be able to find such links to US Distributors, Worldwide Distributors, Distribution Case Studies, Funders, Agents, Crew, Platforms, Legal Documents, Production Forms, Tech & Equipment Recommendations, Recommended Best Practices, Expert Opinions, Ideas & Inspiration, Recommended Reading — and that’s just off the top of my head. You know, I would like it to be clear that that these organizations were driven to help filmmakers, and not just “furthering their brand”.
I recognize that this is love by throwing a brick (and hence Ignatz in my HFF header). Don’t misunderstand me; I was able to grow and prosper in this industry due to direct support from the leading support organizations like Sundance, IFP, and what is now Film Independent (aka FIND). I love what they do. They impress me time and time again. And I have learned first hand how hard it is do any more than what they are doing. I sympathize.
Yet I have to come to feel the only way that change occurs is that the community speaks up and says what they want. Ideally the community makes the leap and recognizes that the support organizations are not here to serve them, but that the support organizations ARE them. So I am asking you now “what could make things better for all of us?” And I am trying to help where I can. This is another suggestion of mine.
Filmmakers are flocking now to film festivals in Utah. Soon they will head west to Santa Barbara or southwest to Austin. Then to the twin coasts and hit Tribeca and/or San Francisco + Seattle. They are moving, hopping, hoping, and jumping. Most are looking for deals and partners. They want someone to take their films across the waters to far off lands. How can we help them? Where are the lists? How can we do more than just lists???
Sheri Candler pointed out to me on Twitter ( @shericandler ) that there is a pretty comprehensive Sales Agent list that IFTA offers, but it only covers those companies who sells at AFM http://ow.ly/sjsab
She also pointed me to Screen Australia’s Comprehensive List http://bit.ly/1mcjY57
What other lists do you know of such crucial information that is harder to find than it should be?
