Pre-sales remain one of the most established ways to finance a film before cameras roll, but they strongly favor well-packaged projects with clear market potential. This guide explains how pre-sales work today, what buyers are looking for, and what you need in place to make this strategy work.
How it works
Pre-sales involve licensing your film to distributors or platforms before or shortly after production. A sales agent or experienced producer presents your project at major markets such as Cannes, EFM, or AFM, or pitches directly to platforms like Netflix, MUBI, Arte, and Canal+. Buyers agree to pay upon delivery if the project meets the agreed conditions. These signed contracts can also be used to cash flow production through a lender, giving you access to funds before the film is completed.
What buyers look for
- A-list or highly recognizable cast with proven international value
- An award-winning or experienced creative team with market credibility
- A clear festival strategy or distribution plan that signals audience demand
- Commercial potential supported by comparable titles, genre positioning, and audience data
- A reliable delivery schedule, budget, and execution plan that reduce risk
What you need
- A full package including script, budget, schedule, and a finance plan showing how pre-sales fit
- Confirmed cast attachments with recognizable value and availability
- A director and producer with a proven track record or previous sales success
- A lookbook or mood reel that demonstrates tone and market positioning
- A sales agent or producer representative with active buyer relationships
- Legal and banking support to close contracts and cash flow receivables
Materials checklist
- One-sheet and synopsis
- Top-sheet budget and cash flow plan
- Cast letters and biographies
- Director statement and visual references
- Finance plan and recoupment waterfall
- Production schedule and delivery timeline
- Teaser or proof-of-concept video if available
When pre-sales make sense
- Your project has bankable cast and a sales agent or producer who can reach buyers
- Your genre travels well across territories, such as thrillers or elevated horror
- You can meet key festival deadlines or platform delivery windows
- You have access to a lender willing to cash flow signed pre-sale contracts
Common pitfalls
- Overestimating sales potential without real comparable titles
- Relying too heavily on one market or one buyer
- Cast attachments that are not firmly committed
- Budgets that do not align with the genre or cast value
- Weak delivery schedules that risk missing contractual deadlines
Timeline at a glance
- Package the project and secure cast attachments
- Engage a sales agent or producer representative
- Prepare market materials and begin outreach to buyers
- Present the project at a major market and negotiate offers
- Close agreements and arrange cash flow against receivables
- Produce, deliver, invoice, and collect payment
Key takeaways
- Pre-sales reward packaging, market positioning, and proven teams more than scripts alone
- Bankable cast and credible delivery plans are the main drivers of value
- Use realistic comparable titles and plan financing early if you intend to cash flow pre-sale contracts