Hi everyone,

Believe it or not one of my favorite regional Film Markets is in full swing right now. It's the Hong Kong Filmart, and it has come a long way since it's humble beginnings 6 or 7 years ago. The exhibitors hall is now packed with Sales Companies from all over the world (not just Asia) and buyers are snapping up Asian movies for distribution in the U.S and Europe. Just yesterday, in the biggest deal of the market so far, Harvey Weinstein signed an output deal with Hong Kong's Sundream Motion Pictures. So be on the look-out for Asian cinema coming to a theater near you!

Seriously, I'm happy to see global film trading on such a grand scale. When I was at Filmart a few years ago, I didn't do as much 'business' (ie: selling films) as I did schmoozing with my Asian buyers (had some amazing Cantonese dinners by the way!). Film Distribution in Asia is truly built on relationships (perhaps more than in any other region of the world in my opinion). For example, the distributors I did business with early on in my career, have become friends at this point, and continue to buy from me again and again, almost REGARDLESS of what I'm selling. It's pretty incredible!

So yes, distribution is a relationship business, and particularly in other parts of the world (outside of the U.S). When looking for distribution for your films in Asia, it is often best to work through a Sales Agent since they have spent their careers building relationships with these buyers (just like I did). Therefore, you can either leverage their expertise and relationships in this region, OR you can wing it on your own. If you've already been down the road of working with a Sales Agent, and it wasn't successful, or you just feel like side-stepping the middle man, I have put together my top picks from the Hong Kong Filmart Buyers List, along with some Guidelines on reaching out to foreign buyers directly, to get you going. (links below)

In the future, I would love to see filmmakers exhibit at Filmart. I think for filmmakers with the right type of product, it could be a great place to START building relationships with these buyers. The reason why is because they are a little more relaxed on their 'home turf' and the market in general is much more low key than AFM or Cannes. So if Asia is in your strategic plan for Distribution, consider heading over there next year. Oh, and did I mention that the costs to exhibit at Regional markets like this are a fraction of what it is at AFM or Cannes? Much easier to get a return on investment.

And while we're on the subject of Film Markets, as many of you know MIPTV is in just a few weeks away (located in Cannes) . To celebrate global Broadcast distribution, I'm offering another Bonus Seminar for Premium Members, this time on the topic of DISTRIBUTING YOUR DOCUMENTARY OR FACTUAL PROGRAM IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE. If you want to know how to turn your Documentary into a more saleable product with higher profit potential, then you definitely want to register for this seminar. Even if you've already tried getting distribution for your Doc, and haven't had much success, attend this seminar as it might inject new life into your efforts.

Here's what else I'll be covering in the Seminar:

* What typical international broadcast deals look like
* Which territories buy and what types of films and programs they buy
* How to turn a single documentary into a true 'profit center'
* My personal accounts of selling and pre-selling Documentaries and Factual Programs to worldwide broadcast markets, and what worked for me (and why!)

To attend this seminar you must upgrade from Newsletter Subscriber, to Film Specific Premium Member by March 31 (If you're already a Premium Member you're automatically registered, and if you're a Standard Member, you can upgrade too).

This seminar will take place via the phone, on April 1 at 6pm PST. If you can't make the seminar live, don't worry - I'll be recording it for you.

But remember, you have to register for Premium Membership by March 31. Here's where you can get more info on the seminar and sign up:

http://www.filmspecific.com/public/574.cfm

And for existing Film Specific members -- to check out my top picks from the 2008 HONG KONG FILMART BUYERS LIST, you can go right here. Just be sure to report back your success with contacting these buyers directly (and hopefully making some deals!):

http://www.filmspecific.com/members/573.cfm

And for some guidelines on reaching out to Foreign Buyers directly: http://www.filmspecific.com/members/572.cfm

Oh, and one small announcement. We are moving Film Specific to new and bigger servers on Friday night, so there will be a little down time on the site then. Just a head's up in case anyone needed to access anything at that time, but everything should be running smoothly again by Saturday morning. Fingers crossed of course! Thanks for bearing with us as we keep growing Film Specific out of house and home!

Have a great day everyone!

Dedicated to your success,
Stacey*