Director-Driven Projects — and Genre (Still) — the Focus at EFM as Buyers Look to Awards Season’s Bold Offerings

by

Even though the 2025 awards season is still a few weeks away from wrapping up, it has already left its mark on the movie industry. As industry professionals get ready to gather again at the European Film Market in Berlin, both buyers and sellers are gearing up for their next big meeting.

This year’s Oscar contenders such as “The Brutalist,” “Anora,” “The Substance,” and “Emilia Pérez” — backed by strong box office performances that are expected to increase — have shown a clear preference among moviegoers for daring, director-focused films that offer something unique.

Scott Schuman, head of AMC Networks (which includes IFC Films), stated that ‘Emilia Pérez,’ ‘I’m Still Here,’ and ‘The Substance’ are distinctive films with exceptional storytelling abilities and offer a singular viewpoint on certain topics,” he said.

According to Schuman, the European Film Market is ideal for attracting international buyers towards such offerings, particularly those directed by imaginative minds. He posits that films like those directed by Jacques Audiard or Walter Salles might fetch a higher price due to the appreciation of independent distributors for the visionary behind the project. Ultimately, his focus is on identifying the directors who will create the groundbreaking work.

Sarah Lebutsch, the executive vice president of sales and distribution at Protagonist Pictures, has expressed that they are actively seeking out bold and thrilling film projects. The success of “The Substance,” with a global box office exceeding $76 million, demonstrates that such films encourage people to venture out and offer an experience that is exceptional and memorable.

The main character behind the success of “The Brutalist” is planning to introduce several fresh projects in Berlin, embodying that daring filmmaker approach. These include the dystopian, post-apocalyptic thriller “Die by Night,” directed by Rod Blackhurst, and the chilling horror movie “The Night House,” featuring Aaron Paul and Jacob Tremblay. This latter project is an adaptation of a bestseller by Jo Nesbø.

For Nick Shumaker, head of AC Independent (a subsidiary of Anonymous Content), “The Brutalist” and contender for awards like “Conclave”, have successfully attracted a younger audience to genres that are typically marketed towards an older demographic. He commended A24 for their marketing strategy and eventization of “The Brutalist”, a 3.5-hour epic by director Brady Corbet.

At the EFM, Anonymous will join with “The Carpenter’s Son,” directed by Lofty Nathan, featuring Noah Jupe, FKA Twigs, and Nicolas Cage. Additionally, Hanna Bergholm’s film “Nightborn” and Raoul Peck’s George Orwell documentary will also be present.

Shumaker proposed that the triumph of “The Brutalist” might inspire more “director-led dramas” to emerge. However, for numerous individuals, drama – particularly drama not associated with well-known actors or talents – remains a challenging proposition to persuade cautious investors, especially during the early stages of project development.

Ben Pugh, co-founder of 42 Production and Management Company, stated that while dramas are valid and often appreciated by audiences, they can be challenging to promote beforehand. He explained that distributors need to have a clear understanding of what they’re selling to the audience. Last year, 42 announced Drake Doremus’ feature “Like Crazy” starring Emilia Clarke and Edgar Ramirez, but Pugh revealed they decided not to sell it in the market. Instead, their financiers funded it, and they chose to keep it held back because it’s a truly beautiful film that they believe will resonate with viewers once completed.

The genre has been on a successful run even before the release of Coralie Fargeat’s body-horror drama. Many genres films, such as “The Ugly Stepsister” (which was widely sold at Memento), have thrived at Sundance. More projects seeking buyers will be showcased in Berlin. Lebutsch noted that genre films, particularly horror ones, are doing exceptionally well. He also mentioned that the relatively slow AFM was boosted by strong sales of these genre titles.

However, it’s encouraging to think that, regardless of genre, Berlin could potentially rectify the slow start in deal-making at AFM and Sundance.

According to Schuman, some fascinating new projects are being revealed, originating from Black Bear, Lionsgate, and A24, specifically for international audiences. Meanwhile, Schuman mentioned that he plans to concentrate on approximately ten top-tier projects.

He mentioned that Berlin presents an excellent opportunity for new packages to debut. Whether it’s introducing a fresh project or having a proper launch, Berlin stands out because it’s a more focused, collaborative market where you can engage in meaningful discussions about what people are looking for and how you can contribute effectively to projects that may lack one or two key elements.

Read More

2025-02-13 09:19