US independent distributors have a lot on their minds heading into the 50th anniversary edition of Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF, September 4-14), when their early fall festival appetite will come under scrutiny.

The theatrical space remains challenging. Few buyers have the wherewithal to compete with Hollywood majors and streamers, especially as platforms are said to be low-balling pay 1 and pay 2 licence fees that can help theatrical distributors afford minimum guarantees and robust release commitments.

Yet there are grounds for cautious optimism. Resourceful distributors continue to adapt and board projects earlier in the lifecycle to better compete with deep-pocketed rivals.

Attention to downstream revenue can be lucrative, as seen when Neon’s multiple Oscar winner Anor

See Full Page