Film Sales and Distribution Executive
Job Description
<p><span>The Plot Pictures is GCC and MENAT’s first independent narrative studio. Our goal is to find unique stories from the region and bring them out in the most authentic voice by pairing the best talent in the region. Our focus is to create a diverse slate of hyperlocal independent films, TV series, web series that find their space in both local and global audience. Our goal is to internally have a diverse team that is representative of the audience we wish to serve.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong><u>Responsibilities</u></strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong><em><u>Departmental Management:</u></em></strong></p><ul><li>Own and implement the Acquisitions, Sales and Distribution strategy for The Plot Pictures</li><li>Attend key markets and festivals to acquire new titles and sell our slate. Become a key public member of the team at key industry events (e.g. Sundance, AFM, MIP, Cannes, EFM)</li><li>Maintain a good relationship with filmmakers, film festivals, rights holders, distributors and exhibitors</li><li>Collaborate with internal teams (e.g. distribution, marketing, technical, public relations, finance, operations, etc.) project-managing the timeline, updating rights systems, preparing deal summaries so senior stakeholders have a clear outline of each film’s expected release plan.</li><li>Provide monthly briefings as part of the board meeting on progress of the department alongside revenue projections</li><li>Hire and grow a team to enable sales success in non-theatrical and theatrical project sales</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong><em><u>Sales:</u></em></strong></p><ul><li>Nurture international partnerships e.g. international distributors, film festivals, tv channels and digital platforms</li><li>Sell the films on our slate to your network of international buyers in global territories.</li><li>Own the rights management system, entering contracts into the database and updating back-end metadata.</li><li>Prepare concise summaries of deal terms for internal & producer approval (where applicable)</li><li>Work with the legal team to negotiate and draft favourable distribution/sales agreements with rights holders, sales agents, broadcasters and new media distributors</li><li><span>Raise invoices for international sales based on deal terms</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong><em><u>Distribution: </u></em></strong></p><ul><li>Create strategies for and manage the external distribution team to deliver market specific distribution campaigns for our slate (across all rights categories), briefing to Heads of Departments across Strategy, Marketing & Technical Delivery. </li><li>Review Home Entertainment relationships and expand our output with key partners. </li><li>Review and expand further D2C opportunities for TVOD, License Sales & Merchandise through an updated online presence (in partnership with the Marketing team)</li><li>Work with our technical team to ensure all material delivery to all partners (DCP, DVD etc)</li><li>Work with our Finance Team to prepare and circulate monthly internal royalty reports and quarterly royalty reports for Producers. </li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong><em><u>Co-Productions/Acquisitions:</u></em></strong></p><ul><li>In collaboration with the founder, review series/films for acquisition, providing consideration analysis.</li><li>Keep in contact with key co-producers, film-makers to track upcoming growth opportunities. </li><li>Prepare P&L documents for acquisitions consideration, evaluating theatrical and digital potential revenues against spend and resource allocation.</li><li><span>Sign up to 5 titles throughout 2023, for release in 2023/2024 covering international sales and MENAT distribution.</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p><span>This is not an exhaustive job description and may be subject to change according to the needs and development of the role. It is expected that the post holder may undertake such other duties as may reasonably be requested. </span></p><p><span>The hope is to grow a team around you, and so the mission is to come in to define the operational workings of the department and train up, or hire in additional team members to support your work moving forward as the slate expands. We are seeking someone who can effectively lead and grow a team to deliver on our ambitious goals.</span></p><p><span> </span></p><p><strong>Requirements</strong></p><ul><li>5+ years’ experience in a film acquisitions, distribution and/or sales role</li><li>Experience in a business affairs role at an independent production company, distribution, production, sales agency, broadcaster or similar, some formal legal training is desirable but relevant practical experience with demonstrable success is more important. You will be supported by a legal team. </li><li>Experience of the UCAN, Europe and MENAT distribution sectors and international sales environment (with practical experience of sales and deal making in these territories). </li><li>Excellent written and verbal communication skills</li><li>Demonstrable experience of high value sales </li><li>Understanding of fast growth environments </li><li>Understanding of the changing media landscape (e.g. SVOD, Corporate Screening license, inflight sales opportunities)</li><li>Strong project management skills</li><li>Great attention to detail and the ability to work autonomously, to find and solve problems.</li><li>Excellent communication skills and the ability to understand and discuss complex accounting treatments to ensure accuracy in royalty reporting.</li><li>Creative, analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to prioritize and complete multiple priorities and assignments in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.</li><li>Two references who can account for your sales abilities.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Qualifications</strong> </p><ul><li>Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Film & TV, entertainment studies or media and communication is a must.</li><li>Professional certification in MS office, EP budgeting and scheduling</li><li>Working knowledge of Final draft</li><li>Fluent in English & another language</li><li><span>Fluency in Arabic is a plus.</span></li></ul>
