Independent filmmaker Patricia Chica is covering the 2014 Cannes Film Festival for us. You can read part one of Patricia Chica’s personal Cannes diary right here, part two here, and part three here. Today, on day four, Patricia interviews Caterina Scrivino Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Industry Works Pictures, about discovering the newest film titles for distribution.
Day Four
In the past three years, I have met various distributors, sales agents and buyers at the different festivals and markets. I was introduced to Caterina Scrivano by Susan Curran of Anchor Bay Canada during TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival), and I really kept an eye on the work that she’s doing. I see Caterina every time that I visit the film market. She is so dedicated to promoting her productions with her very own gentle and humble ways, and yet she is a very powerful businesswoman. She is passionate about genre films and represents one of my favorite horror movies of all time, American Mary, by my female director friends the Soska Twins. Caterina has over 14 years of experience in specialty marketing and branding to both niche and corporate companies, and the unique ability to maintain the core assets of a business and develop communication platforms for a global market. I went to Caterina’s booth today to watch the trailer of one of her new productions entitled BB and asked her a few questions.
Patricia Chica for MovieMaker (MM): Can you describe your experience at the Cannes’ Film Market?
Caterina Scrivano (CS): Cannes is inspiring, informative and nostalgic all at once.
MM: What are the challenges that distributors face in today’s Internet era?
CS: The Internet is challenging when it comes to piracy, but in all other areas I think the Internet is a great and powerful tool. I think if we are in this business, we must learn to adapt and be just as creative on the business side as we are on the filmmaking side in order to combat those challenges. As far a film standing out; if a film is original and has a strong story, that’s one way to stand out, timing and luck also has a lot to do with it.
MM: What are your thoughts on how to best market independent films?
CS: Social media is excellent for getting the word out. It’s the voice of the Internet. Be passionate about your films, passion can be contagious and really learn about the market; the trends, the downfalls, the upsides, everything.
MM: Is there any valuable or practical advice that you would like to give to MovieMaker readers?
CS: Know and understand the market as much as possible. And, when you’re editing your film, make the first 15-20 minutes as compelling as possible.
To know more about the Cannes Film Market, please visit these links: Official Site, Facebook Page, and Industry Works Pictures.
Watch the BB trailer:
To know more about award-winning filmmaker Patricia Chica, follow her on social media in real time (or almost) at PatriciaChica.com, Facebook, and Twitter. Read part one of her Cannes adventures here, part two here, and part three here, and stay tuned for more Cannes Do diaries from Patricia throughout the festival! MM
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