Learn directly from a senior acquisitions executive who has helped hundreds of independent films secure distribution!

You will get an exclusive downloadable checklist for first-time filmmakers to confidently navigate your first project from start to finish!

Discover exactly what sales reps and buyers look for and how to position your film to get noticed and picked up!

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 webinar is now available to watch on-demand and no longer live.

Breaking into the film marketplace is exciting and full of opportunity, especially now as streaming platforms and buyers are looking for fresh voices. While major festival deals and acquisitions make headlines, many strong films still go unnoticed. Tony Piantedosi will give it to you straight: creating something great is only half the battle. Understanding how the industry works today - and positioning your project the right way - is what gets your film picked up.

You might believe that if your film is well-made, it should sell on its own. Tony will tell you why that’s not true. Quality alone isn’t enough. Without aligning your project to audience demand, buyer expectations, and market realities, even excellent films can struggle. In this session, Tony gives his no BS take on what buyers really look for, including genre marketability, budget tier, casting value, production design, technical delivery requirements, and festival strategy. You’ll also hear the insider truth about elements often overlooked, like why unit photography matters, how music clearances affect sales, and what materials actually help you stand out.

Your Stage 32 educator, Tony Piantedosi, brings more than a decade of acquisitions experience and has helped hundreds of independent films secure distribution. As Senior Vice President of Acquisitions at Vertical, he evaluates projects every day from a buyer’s perspective. Because he sees it all firsthand, you’ll get his honest, no BS insight on why films get picked up or passed over — and what separates market-ready projects from the rest.

In this Stage 32 webinar, Tony will give you his no BS post on how to package and position your film, select the right concept for today’s market, make smart production and post decisions, navigate sales strategy, and confidently pitch to reps and buyers. You’ll also receive a practical checklist to guide your process and make sure your project is truly market-ready. By the end of this webinar, you’ll walk away with a clear roadmap for aligning your creative vision with real-world sales opportunities. No fluff, no guessing — just straight-up, actionable insight from someone who knows exactly what it takes to get your film seen, considered, and picked up.

PLUS! You will receive this handout to help you:

• Checklist for First-Time Filmmakers

Tony on Teaching for Stage 32:

“The Stage 32 community is a talented and diverse group of artists and storytellers, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to connect and share insights with you!”

Packaging & Positioning Your Film for the Marketplace

• Choosing the Right Film for Today’s Market – Tony cuts through the hype: not every project will sell, know where yours stands.

• Understanding Genre Marketability – Straight talk on what buyers actually want, not what sounds trendy.

• Budget Tier and Its Impact on Sales – No sugarcoating: your budget sends a signal, make sure it’s the right one.

• Creating the Right Look and World – Tony tells it like it is: production design can make or break your pitch.

• Casting for Value – Casting isn’t just creative, it’s business. Tony gives you the facts.

• Production & Post Elements That Influence Buyers – Know the essentials that buyers actually care about; skip the fluff.

• Why Unit Photography Matters – Poor production stills? Tony says it can tank your project before anyone watches it.

Critical Technical & Creative Decisions

• Shooting Considerations (Including Exterior Strategy) – Tony gives the no BS on what’s necessary vs. what’s wasted effort.

• The Power of Production Design & Set Decoration – What buyers notice (and what they don’t), straight from Tony.

• Music Clearances Explained – Ignore this at your peril; Tony lays out what matters.

• M&E Tracks and Delivery Requirements – Tony explains what reps expect, so you’re never caught off guard.

• Textless Versions & International Needs – No BS: these details can make a difference in sales.

• Why Your Title Matters – Tony says a weak title can tank interest before anyone sees your work.

Finishing, Selling & Strategy

• Once the Film Is Done – What Comes Next? – Tony tells it like it is: realistic next steps to get your film noticed.

• Festival Strategy: Is It Right for You? – Tony breaks down what works and what’s just hype.

• Temp Art, Trailers, Loglines & Publicity Materials – Learn what actually gets reps’ attention, no fluff.

• Who Represents Your Sale? – Tony gives the facts on finding the right people and avoiding pitfalls.

• Key Negotiation Points to Understand – No BS on what matters in deals and what most filmmakers miss.

• Worldwide vs. Split Territory Sales – Tony’s take on maximizing your potential without overcomplicating things.

• The Most Common Negotiation Mistakes – Straight talk on the traps that can derail your sale.

Pitching to Sales Reps & Buyers

• Cold Outreach: What Works and What Doesn’t (emails and calls) – Tony cuts the guesswork; here’s what actually gets responses.

• In-Person Pitch Dos and Don’ts – Learn the real tactics that impress buyers.

• Buyer Red Flags to Avoid – Tony calls out the traps so you don’t fall into them.

Q&A with Tony

• Independent filmmakers preparing to sell or distribute a completed or upcoming film

• Producers who want to better understand what buyers and sales reps look for before greenlighting a project

• Writer-directors seeking to align their creative vision with current marketplace demand

• First-time filmmakers who want to avoid common mistakes that prevent films from getting picked up

• Filmmakers planning a festival run and wanting a smart sales strategy beforehand

• Creators developing projects who want to choose concepts, genres, and budgets with real commercial potential in mind

• Anyone looking to confidently pitch their film to sales agents, distributors, or buyers

Tony on Teaching for Stage 32:

“The Stage 32 community is a talented and diverse group of artists and storytellers, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to connect and share insights with you!”