Film markets

Some film festivals offer a market where targeted buying and selling of films, TV programmes and film plans takes place. Producers, sales agents and buyers meet each other here.

The market

A film festival consists of two parts: the public and the professional part. The public part consists of screenings for the paying visitor. The professional part consists of masterclasses, forums, panel discussions and markets for the accredited filmmaker. Two different types of market exist: co-production markets and sales markets.

  • A co-production market is a market where producers and filmmakers look for extra subsidies, partners or co-producers. Here you will find lot of pitches and one-on-one discussions organised by the festival.
  • A sales market is a market where sales agents, distributors and buyers walk around to sell their own films and discover new projects. A sale market primarily consists of organised screenings and a physical market with stalls where films are offered. In addition, lots of hotel rooms and meeting rooms are involved: this is where the films are traded and deals are made.

Moreover, every market has its own signature, rules and criteria. Filmmakers and projects are singled out that suit the character of the market, as a result of which they receive more attention from potential partners. During forums or pitch round tables, the projects are presented to the buyers who are invited to participate by the market. Potential buyers include sales agents, distributors, commissioning editors from broadcasters and festival programmers.

These markets are a breeding ground for filmmakers from all over the world. Together, they continually provide a new boost to the international film culture.

Directly to:

Film distribution

Why is it important to take part?

It is important for producers to devote attention to the international release of a film at an early stage. Participation in a market may ensure that a sales agent or distributor becomes involved in the film early on. Distributors, sales agents and broadcasters may become involved at any stage of the film: during development, but also when the film is already finished. These parties visit the markets to listen to the pitches of producers and sales agents, during which they present their new films and film plans.

Markets in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has a number of film festivals with an international market programme, such as the IFFR (CineMart, co-production market), the NFF (Holland Film Meeting, co-production market), the IDFA (Forum/Docs for Sale, sales market) and Cinekid (Junior Co-production Market, co-production market).

Directly to:

Film festivals

Markets abroad

The well-known, large film festivals always have their own market. Sometimes, they offer both a sales market and a co-production market (in one). For example, Cannes has the Marché du Film, the Venice International Film Festival has Venetië de Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica, the Toronto International Film Festival has the TIFF Industry and the Berlin International Film Festival has the European Film Market and the Copro Market.