With Akua Boyenne, Esq.

Selling films is a specialized business that requires knowledge of both distribution and market trends. A producer representative, or “producer rep,” is a marketing and distribution consultant to the producer. Good producer reps have long-standing relationships with buyers and take on the various responsibilities of finding distribution. For a film that has marketable elements and potential for winning film festivals, the producer rep may create a film festival strategy and attend festivals to create excitement about the film. Producer reps guide filmmakers to choose the right launch festival for their film and makes sure all the right people attend the screening. For other films, the producer rep may call distributors directly and arrange screenings. In this introductory class we will look at the various major film festivals as well as how to negotiate a Producer Representative agreement.

This workshop is Part 2 of a four-part series on film distribution. Registration for all four workshops is encouraged but not required.

SPEAKER: Akua Boyenne, Esq. is a graduate of Seton Hall Law School, Tufts University and extensive programs at UCLA Entertainment Law Studies. She is admitted to practice in California, New York and New Jersey, is a member of the American Bar Association (Entertainment Law Section), the Beverly Hills Bar Association (Entertainment and Intellectual Property Section), Film Independent, Inc. and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc.

This workshop was made possible, in part, by support provided by the California Arts Council, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and the California Community Foundation.