International Sales Agent
Company that sells distribution rights to buyers in territories worldwide.
Definition
An international sales agent is a company that represents films to distributors in territories around the world. Sales agents take films to markets, maintain distributor relationships, negotiate deals, and collect payments across diverse territories.
Sales agents typically take a percentage of sales as commission. They provide producers access to a global distribution network that would be impossible to develop independently.
Why It Matters
Most producers can't directly access international distributors. Sales agents provide the relationships and expertise needed to monetize films globally.
For producers, sales agent selection significantly impacts international revenue potential.
Examples in Practice
A sales agent secures deals in 40 territories at the film market, generating $5M in pre-sales for an independent production.
The sales agent's relationships with buyers result in higher prices than the producer could negotiate directly.
Sales agent credentials and track record are evaluated carefully, as representation affects market perception.