A significant concern voiced since the start of Cannes is the noticeable absence of US theatrical deals. Debt-laden studios are navigating a tumultuous transition in the evolving streaming landscape, resulting in a lack of domestic deals. This void has a cascading effect on international distribution. Films without a US distributor face deteriorating values over time, making it increasingly challenging to recoup production budgets.
There are notable exceptions, including Neon and A24. However, more traditional independent distributors previously active in the US market sit on the sidelines, waiting to see if theatrical audiences return.
Despite these hurdles, there has been a rise in worldwide rights deals, particularly with streaming platforms. These deals are fostering new financing models and opportunities. However, buyers are predominantly interested in films featuring solid casts that can guarantee audiences.
