US Buyers at the Toronto International Film Festival
US buyers are still showing interest in acquiring titles at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), despite many having returned to Los Angeles or New York. The festival has seen a number of low-key deals so far, with FOCUS Features’ horror film "Obsession" being one of the most talked-about titles.
Notable Deals
To date, several notable deals have been made, including the acquisition of North American rights to Gus van Sant’s "Dead Man’s Way" for a seven-figure sum. Additionally, Schwarzbär’s young US sales department has decided to finance, produce, and sell the film "Christy".
Challenges in the Market
Many buyers are finding it challenging to secure deals due to a lack of urgency in the market. With a competitive calendar and low offers from Pay-1 buyers for theater colleagues, dealers are taking longer to determine how to spark interest in releases in North America. Furthermore, some buyers, such as Neon, Focus-Features, A24, Sony Pictures Classics, Bleecker Street, and Independent Film Company, have come to the festival with already packed slates, making it less likely for them to make new acquisitions.
Films Generating Interest
Despite the challenges, several films are generating interest among buyers, including Mona Fastvold’s "The Will of Ann Lee", which is expected to find a home soon. Other films, such as Kent Jones’ "Late Fame", Steven Soderbergh’s "The Christophen", and Alice Winocour’s "Couture", are also drawing attention. Additionally, films like "Normal", "Carolina Caroline", "Driver Ed", "Detonator", and "Poetic License" are being considered by buyers.
Year-Round Business
For some companies, like Sony Pictures Classics, TIFF is just one part of a year-round business. The company is increasingly investing in films and pre-buys, and had a strong presence at the festival with eight films, including potential awards contenders like "A Private Life", "Blue Moon", and "Nuremberg". According to Dylan Leiner from Sony Pictures Classics, the company is focused on finding the right films to acquire and release throughout the year, rather than just during the festival season.
