International film markets are a great opportunity for film professionals to make contacts, present their projects and negotiate deals setting the landscape of their future business. However, without the right skills and understanding, attending these festivals and markets doesn’t always yield the best results and can sometimes be counter-productive. With business now being conducted online and at physical markets, these skills are more crucial than ever.
This programme aims to equip participants with the knowledge and support they need to understand the film market better, plan and target their approach and come away from international markets with the best possible results.
Applications are invited from producers based in the English regions outside of London and junior executives working in sales and distribution. Please read our guidelines before submitting your application to see if you meet the eligibility criteria.
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“Market Trader was the most incredible programme that for me came at the right time in my career. Being guided and mentored by experts in their field where no question was thought of as silly was very supportive and informative. I met a great group of like-minded people and we have continued to support each other. I learnt a lot about the industry and myself and it was also a lot of fun.”
– Karen Newman, Hidden Door Productions
‘I feel like I’ve changed as a person through Market Trader. It’s sharpened my vision and I have complete belief in my business and how I’ll progress it to the next level’
– Aneet Nijjar, Other Parties Film Company
‘Our mentor was amazing. She helped us figure out the answers to questions we were asking ourselves and asked new questions along the way’
– Steven Lennon, Vloop
Market Trader will be delivered through a combination of intensive workshops, mentoring, market attendance & networking. The programme will consider and contrast differing needs and perspectives from all parts of the film value chain – makers, buyers, sellers – and hone skills in pitching, negotiating & closing deals.
Participants will receive guidance and training to:
Market Trader will take place between November 2022 and March 2023. Activity includes:
Creative England will cover the cost for the EFM market badge (Accreditation), as well as the cost of participant’s travel and accommodation. This does not extend to the 2 sales and distribution execs, who we assume to be taken to market by their companies and at their company’s expense.
29th November 2022 (in person)
30th November and 1st December 2022 (Online)
6th & 7th December 2022 (Online)
Market Prep Day
11th January 2023 (Online)
EFM Visit
17th – 20th February 2023 (in person)
Market Review Day
21st March 2023
Market Prep Day
January 2023 (Online)
EFM Visit
17th – 20th February 2023 (in person)
Market Review Day
21st March 2023
The total fee for a participant place is £200. The costs of Market Trader are heavily subsidised by the Creative Enterprise programme. This covers the cost of all the above.
Course director Julia Short brings a wealth of experience to the programme. Julia is a distribution and marketing expert, former partner at Verve Pictures and currently training expert on high profile courses such as Inside Pictures.
From a background in advertising and consumer PR, Julia has worked in film distribution for over 25 years. During this time at PolyGram she was responsible for running the theatrical marketing and publicity department in the UK, releasing such films as TRAINSPOTTING, FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, FARGO, TWELVE MONKEYS and THE USUAL SUSPECTS. After PolyGram closed in 1999, she moved to Redbus (now Lionsgate) where she was Deputy Managing Director and Film Four Distribution (Head of Marketing – Maternity Cover). In 2003 Julia set up VERVE PICTURES with Colin Burch during which time she acquired BULLET BOY, Andrea Arnold’s RED ROAD, the Oscar nominated DOGTOOTH and released a number of films by first time film makers. From 2011 to 2013 Julia was Head of International Acquisitions at The Works Film Group.
Since 2013 Julia is working as a consultant across various aspects of the film industry and is consulting with producers, delivering training for the Film Distributors Association, Screen Ireland as well as being Head of Studies for the International Screen Institute which is based in Vienna. Previous she worked on a CBBC/DIT China to London project for the BFI and was Director of Content for the Creative Europe/Creative Skillset funded Inside Pictures for 8 years.
Holly is a freelance talent development/training provider and film festival producer with over 20 years experience in the creative industries.
Most recently Festival Producer & Head of Industry for Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Filmhouse Cinemas in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, Holly has delivered numerous talent development initiatives supporting writers, directors, producers, animators, composers, sound designers and those working in exhibition.
She was responsible for the design and delivery of programmes including EIFF Talent Lab and Talent Lab Connects and was the Edinburgh lead for the Scottish Film Talent Network consortium, the Scottish delivery partner for BFI Network until 2020.
Previous experience includes working as the Programme Manager at Moonstone International Screen Labs supporting European writers and directors through a programme of residencies based on the Sundance Lab model, and production managing internationally focussed television documentary series for broadcasters including Channel 5 and Discovery.
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Should you have any access or communication requirements relating to our applications and guidance, then please contact the team at creativeenterprise@creativeengland.co.uk or 0333 023 5240.
Market Trader is part of Creative Enterprise, which has been developed with National Lottery funding from the BFI to make the moving image sector sustainable through creating new business opportunities through training, mentoring and building of networks, whilst growing and scaling existing businesses.
Connect to industry-leaders and gain exclusive access to training and networks with Creative Enterprise: designed to grow your business.