Creative Enterprise / Scale

Market Trader

part of our creative enterprise programme

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**APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED**

Learn how to succeed at international film markets with Market Trader, an intensive business development programme for talented producers who are looking to take their projects to market across the world. 

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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Any questions? Email our Creative Enterprise team.

**APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED**

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Market Trader Alumni


“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


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What does Market Trader offer?

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:

  • Improve their knowledge of international markets, how they differ, who attends what and why; 
  • Gain a clearer perspective on the context of UK film within domestic/international markets and a better sense of how and why this matters; 
  • Identify the most suitable market(s) for their own individual projects and film slates; 
  • Develop tools and strategies for successful market engagement; 
  • Improve their skills, knowledge and confidence in packaging, pitching, negotiating, selling, understanding and closing deals; 
  • Achieve effective follow-through and maximise the benefits of international relationships and opportunities. 

 

When, where and how will Market Trader happen?

Market Trader will take place between November 2022 and March 2023. Activity includes: 

  •  5-day intensive pre-market workshops, in person and online with leading industry figures from the worlds of production, sales and distribution  
  • One day market preparation session (online) 
  • A 4-day (3 night) market visit to the EFM with Mentor support and networking 
  • 2 mentoring sessions 
  • One day market review session (online)  

 

EFM Visit

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.  

 

Market Trader 5 Day Module 

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 

 

How much does it cost?

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.  

 

Who will run it?

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. 

 

Julia Short 

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 Daniel

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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Any questions? Email our Creative Enterprise team.

***Applications now closed**

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SIGN UP HERE to be notified when new programme applications have reopened.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

About Creative England

Creative England is working to build the right environment for the future of the creative industries by helping them raise their ambition, create jobs, grow turnover and build the confidence and networks they need to be truly innovative. We invest, connect, mentor, advocate and collaborate at all levels of the industry, from individuals and small independents to large internationals, creating the right conditions for success. For further details please visit www.creativeengland.co.uk  

About Creative Enterprise

 In partnership with the BFI, Creative Enterprise was developed four years ago to grow screen businesses in the English regions. Through intensive programmes and bespoke workshops led by industry leaders and mentors, Creative Enterprise provides expertise and training to futureproof the next generation of moving image companies. By bringing together companies who work in moving image for storytelling, we build meaningful connections and create opportunities for business growth. The programme set out to support moving image entrepreneurs and businesses to develop new business models, products and services.  

How will Market Trader be delivered?

Market Trader will be delivered through a combination of intensive workshops, mentoring & networking with a specific focus on international markets. Creative England will provide a market visit to EFM for participants in 2023. 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.  

Creative England is working to build the right environment for the future of the creative industries by helping them raise their ambition, create jobs, grow turnover and build the confidence and networks they need to be truly innovative. We invest, connect, mentor, advocate and collaborate at all levels of the industry, from individuals and small independents to large internationals, creating the right conditions for success. For further details please visit www.creativeengland.co.uk  

 In partnership with the BFI, Creative Enterprise was developed four years ago to grow screen businesses in the English regions. Through intensive programmes and bespoke workshops led by industry leaders and mentors, Creative Enterprise provides expertise and training to futureproof the next generation of moving image companies. By bringing together companies who work in moving image for storytelling, we build meaningful connections and create opportunities for business growth. The programme set out to support moving image entrepreneurs and businesses to develop new business models, products and services.  

Market Trader will be delivered through a combination of intensive workshops, mentoring & networking with a specific focus on international markets. Creative England will provide a market visit to EFM for participants in 2023. 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.  

What will it cover?

Participants will receive guidance and training to:  

  • Improve their knowledge of international markets, how they differ, who attends what and why; 
  • Gain a clearer perspective on the context of UK film within domestic/international markets and a better sense of how and why this matters; 
  • Identify the most suitable market(s) for their own individual projects and film slates; 
  • Develop tools and strategies for successful market engagement; 
  • Improve their skills, knowledge and confidence in packaging, pitching, negotiating, selling, understanding and closing deals; 
  • Achieve effective follow-through and maximise the benefits of international relationships and opportunities. 
What does Market Trader offer?

Market Trader will take place between November 2022 and March 2023, activity includes:  

  • 4 online and 1 in-person workshops over the course of 5 days in November and December with access to leading industry figures from the worlds of production, sales and distribution 
  • 1 day preparation session in January to ensure participants feel ‘market ready’ 
  • 2mentoring sessions 
  • Opportunities to network with fellow participants and industry figures throughout the programme
  • Market visit with mentor support
  • 1 day market review day in March 2023

  

When, where and how will Market Trader happen?

We will expect participants to be able to commit in full to the following dates:  

5 workshops:  

– 29th November (in person) 

-30th November & 1st December 2022 (online) 

 – 6th & 7th December 2022 (online) 

 

Market Ready prep day:  

-11th January 2022 (online)  

 

EFM Visit: 

-17th to 20th February 2023 (in person-3 nights) 

 

Market Review day: 

– 21st March 2023 (online) 

 

Participants will receive guidance and training to:  

  • Improve their knowledge of international markets, how they differ, who attends what and why; 
  • Gain a clearer perspective on the context of UK film within domestic/international markets and a better sense of how and why this matters; 
  • Identify the most suitable market(s) for their own individual projects and film slates; 
  • Develop tools and strategies for successful market engagement; 
  • Improve their skills, knowledge and confidence in packaging, pitching, negotiating, selling, understanding and closing deals; 
  • Achieve effective follow-through and maximise the benefits of international relationships and opportunities. 

Market Trader will take place between November 2022 and March 2023, activity includes:  

  • 4 online and 1 in-person workshops over the course of 5 days in November and December with access to leading industry figures from the worlds of production, sales and distribution 
  • 1 day preparation session in January to ensure participants feel ‘market ready’ 
  • 2mentoring sessions 
  • Opportunities to network with fellow participants and industry figures throughout the programme
  • Market visit with mentor support
  • 1 day market review day in March 2023

  

We will expect participants to be able to commit in full to the following dates:  

5 workshops:  

– 29th November (in person) 

-30th November & 1st December 2022 (online) 

 – 6th & 7th December 2022 (online) 

 

Market Ready prep day:  

-11th January 2022 (online)  

 

EFM Visit: 

-17th to 20th February 2023 (in person-3 nights) 

 

Market Review day: 

– 21st March 2023 (online) 

 

Who can apply?

Producer eligibility criteria:  

  • Must be based in the English regions outside of London. 
  • Will ideally have produced a minimum of 1 feature film that has sold to 2/3 territories outside the UK. 
  • Should have at least 1 other feature film project at a stage where meaningful discussions can be had at international markets. We ask you to outline this project as part of the application process (additional notes for guidance on completing your SWOT analysis are available on our website). Please see Project Specification Sheet.

 

 Junior Executives eligibility criteria:  

  • Sales and distribution executives should have between 1-3 years’ experience working in their chosen field. 
How much does it cost?

The total fee for a participant place is £200. The costs of Market Trader are heavily subsidised by the Creative Enterprise programme, this covers all of the above. 

What is the deadline?

The deadline for applications to Market Trader is Midnight on Monday 17th October 2022. Applications received after this time will not be considered. If you have any queries about your eligibility please contact us prior to making an application (contact details are given at the end of these guidelines).  

Producer eligibility criteria:  

  • Must be based in the English regions outside of London. 
  • Will ideally have produced a minimum of 1 feature film that has sold to 2/3 territories outside the UK. 
  • Should have at least 1 other feature film project at a stage where meaningful discussions can be had at international markets. We ask you to outline this project as part of the application process (additional notes for guidance on completing your SWOT analysis are available on our website). Please see Project Specification Sheet.

 

 Junior Executives eligibility criteria:  

  • Sales and distribution executives should have between 1-3 years’ experience working in their chosen field. 

The total fee for a participant place is £200. The costs of Market Trader are heavily subsidised by the Creative Enterprise programme, this covers all of the above. 

The deadline for applications to Market Trader is Midnight on Monday 17th October 2022. Applications received after this time will not be considered. If you have any queries about your eligibility please contact us prior to making an application (contact details are given at the end of these guidelines).  

How do I apply?

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.  

  • Stage 1: Applicants are asked to complete and submit an application form online via the Creative England website at https://applications.creativeengland.co.uk/form?application_form_id=348.
  • Stage 2: You will be sent an email confirming receipt of your application. You will also receive a tracking number that you should use in all subsequent correspondence. If you have not received such email confirmation within two working days of your submission, then please contact us by emailing creativeenterprise@creativeengland.co.uk. We regret that we are unable to progress ineligible or incomplete applications. 
Assessment, Decision-Making & Conditions

Applications will be assessed by the Creative Enterprise team along with the Market Trader programme producers. All applicants will be informed in writing by Friday 28thOctober 2022 whether or not their application has been successful. Participants are asked to confirm in writing their place by end of day on Monday 31st October 2022. Successful applicants will be expected to commit to the programme in full by signing an offer letter and returning to Creative England by Friday 4th November 2022. If you have any concerns about this please contact Maeve Reynolds by emailing creativeenterprise@creativeengland.co.uk to discuss your specific circumstances. It is a condition of support that participants co-operate with Creative England and its partners in any PR and press activity relating to their participation in Market Trader. Participants may also be asked to contribute to future seminars or workshops to share their experiences and knowledge with other filmmakers. The decision of Creative England is final in all matters concerning assessment and selection. While all applications are thoroughly and fairly assessed, opinions as to the quality or merit of individual applications are inevitably subjective and we realise that applicants may be disappointed as a result. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants. Applicants who wish to make an appeal against a decision can only do so if they have good cause to believe that the correct procedures, as published in these guidelines, have not been adhered to or applied in such a way as to prejudice the outcome of an application. A copy of the Lottery complaints procedure can be obtained from Creative England on request.  

Appeals and complaints

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives members of the public the right to request certain information held by Creative England. This may include information held in relation to applications to our funding programmes. If you choose to apply to Creative England, you should be aware that the information you supply, either in whole or in part, may be disclosed under the Act. Freedom of Information Contacting us Please contact us if you have any further queries about Market Trader. In the first instance please email creativeenterprise@creativeengland.co.uk stating Market Trader in your subject header. 

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.  

  • Stage 1: Applicants are asked to complete and submit an application form online via the Creative England website at https://applications.creativeengland.co.uk/form?application_form_id=348.
  • Stage 2: You will be sent an email confirming receipt of your application. You will also receive a tracking number that you should use in all subsequent correspondence. If you have not received such email confirmation within two working days of your submission, then please contact us by emailing creativeenterprise@creativeengland.co.uk. We regret that we are unable to progress ineligible or incomplete applications. 

Applications will be assessed by the Creative Enterprise team along with the Market Trader programme producers. All applicants will be informed in writing by Friday 28thOctober 2022 whether or not their application has been successful. Participants are asked to confirm in writing their place by end of day on Monday 31st October 2022. Successful applicants will be expected to commit to the programme in full by signing an offer letter and returning to Creative England by Friday 4th November 2022. If you have any concerns about this please contact Maeve Reynolds by emailing creativeenterprise@creativeengland.co.uk to discuss your specific circumstances. It is a condition of support that participants co-operate with Creative England and its partners in any PR and press activity relating to their participation in Market Trader. Participants may also be asked to contribute to future seminars or workshops to share their experiences and knowledge with other filmmakers. The decision of Creative England is final in all matters concerning assessment and selection. While all applications are thoroughly and fairly assessed, opinions as to the quality or merit of individual applications are inevitably subjective and we realise that applicants may be disappointed as a result. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants. Applicants who wish to make an appeal against a decision can only do so if they have good cause to believe that the correct procedures, as published in these guidelines, have not been adhered to or applied in such a way as to prejudice the outcome of an application. A copy of the Lottery complaints procedure can be obtained from Creative England on request.  

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives members of the public the right to request certain information held by Creative England. This may include information held in relation to applications to our funding programmes. If you choose to apply to Creative England, you should be aware that the information you supply, either in whole or in part, may be disclosed under the Act. Freedom of Information Contacting us Please contact us if you have any further queries about Market Trader. In the first instance please email creativeenterprise@creativeengland.co.uk stating Market Trader in your subject header. 

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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.