Symposium “How to Sell a Short Film” - Internationale Kurzfilmtage ...

DVD labels, internet service providers, mobile service providers, closed‐circuitusers...∙ since 2006, there is a dual‐language world sales database available online(www.shortfilmsales.com)toenableadetailedresearchandviewingofthefilmsviatheinternet.THEHAMBURGINTERNATIONALSHORTFILMFESTIVAL:∙ Established in 1985 with roots in independent filmmaking (called “NoBudget”until1994).25 th anniversaryin2009.Second‐oldestshortfilmfestivalinGermanyafterOberhausen.∙Mostimportantinputfordistributionandsalesactivities.Currentlyabout4,000submissionseveryyear.∙Shortfilmarchive(with26,000films)andcompletionofadatabase,whichisopenforresearchpurposes,previewqueriesandrightsresearch.Thesalesdivisionisthemoreprofitableventure,butthedistributionarmisthestrongerfocusintermsofbringingshortfilmsouttotheaudiences,andmoresuccessfulinthatrespect.CRITERIAFORBEINGCONSIDEREDFORDISTRIBUTIONANDSALES∙ Outstanding productions: in other words, the film should stand out from theaveragenarrativeapproachofcertaingenres,andshouldcapturetheattentionofthe audience all the way through. Experimental forms of narration are highlywelcome.∙Suitabilityasapre‐featureshort(onlydistribution):thefilmshouldfitthefeaturewithwhichitisshowninthecinema,orbeuniversallyapplicable.Thesuitabilityasapre‐featureshortisregularlytestedthroughpre‐featuretests.∙ Film durations: for distribution, under 10 minutes if possible (70% of alldistributed shorts); for sales, under 20 minutes if possible. Exceptions can bemade.∙Filmformats:fordistribution,theidealis35mm,butalldigitalformatsincludingnew HD productions are allowed, for conversion to 2K‐screening media “XKSHORTS”.Sales:allformats.MinimumrequirementisaBetaSPtelecine.∙Filmrights:beforeafilmisacquired,arightsclearancehastobemade,inordertoforeclosepossibleclaimsofthirdparties.Thisisespeciallytrueformusicrights,butinindividualcasesalsoforpicturerights.LICENSEAGREEMENTS∙Mostlicenseagreementsrunforfivetosixyears.Settlementisdoneannualy.∙Commission:fordistribution,thesplitisusually65%:35%.Forsalesthiscandiffer,and can include flat rates, minimum guarantees and percentage splits or purepercentagesharing(50‐50)ofthegrossscreeningrevenues.Ifafilmisincludedinashortfilmcompilationreel,therevenueisaccountedforintermsofpercentageoftotalduration.