Dealmakers’ View: Inside Independent Film Sales and Today’s Global Marketplace
From pre-selling projects to completed films ready for buyers, today’s global marketplace demands sharper strategies, stronger partnerships, and deeper market knowledge. In this candid conversation, global sales experts share how today’s deals are structured, what buyers are seeking now, and why producers and sales agents are working harder and smarter than ever to succeed in getting films in front of discerning audiences worldwide.
Moderator:
Clay Epstein, President, Film Mode Entertainment
Panelists:
Kevin Goetz, Founder and CEO, Screen Engine
Steven C. Miller, Filmmaker
George Hamilton, Chief Commercial Officer, Protagonist Pictures
Cybill Lui, Filmmaker / Producer, Anova Pictures
Speakers
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Clay EpsteinPresident, Film Mode EntertainmentClay Epstein has over twenty years of experience as an Entertainment Executive. Since launching his own company in 2016, he is the President and Owner of Film Mode Entertainment, a worldwide sales and distribution entity with a producer friendly initiative. In addition to bringing films to audiences around the globe, Clay executive produces many of the company’s titles. As an Executive Producer, Clay is instrumental in working with filmmakers in the early stages of pre-production to help build the financing, and creative elements to achieve these successes worldwide. To better help producers and directors who may be less experienced, Film Mode has an active consultancy division, offering producers expertise and guidance on financial models, marketing, and distribution strategies. Film Mode represents over 70 independent feature films worldwide, with a client base that spans the globe. Recent successes include BREACH starring Bruce Willis, AS THEY MADE US starring Dustin Hoffman, and Candice Bergan, CRYPTO starring Kurt Russel, LITTLE PINK HOUSE starring Catherine Keener, and MONSTROUS starring Christina Ricci. Prior to launching Film Mode, Clay was SVP Sales & Acquisitions at Arclight Films. He was instrumental in representing high profile films such as Paul Schrader ’s DOG EAT DOG starring Nicolas Cage, and the Spirig brother’s PREDESTINATION starring Ethan Hawke. Earlier in his career, Clay represented prestigious titles such as TSOTSI (2006, Academy Award Winner for Best Foreign Language,) and THE LAST STATION (2010, Academy Award Nominee for Best Performance by an Actress.) Clay earned a BA in Fine Arts, from California State University, Northridge majoring in Film Production and minoring in Italian Language. Clay holds the elected position of Chairman of Independent Film and Television Alliance, lectures at UCLA Extension and film festivals worldwide. He’s a member of PGA, FIND, BAFTA LA, and the Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts.
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George HamiltonChief Commercial Officer, Protagonist PicturesGeorge Hamilton is the Chief Commercial Officer at leading independent sales, finance, and production outfit Protagonist Pictures. He specialises in the financing and representation of worldwide sales of independently financed feature films. He works closely with filmmakers, producers, production companies, and financiers to greenlight their films. Since 2020, he has been involved in the sales and/or financing of over 30 features, including Brady Corbet’s THE BRUTALIST, Nora Fingscheidt’s THE OUTRUN, Temple Hill’s CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD and ENCORE, Plan B’s H IS FOR HAWK, Bharat Nalluri’s FLAVIA DE LUCE and Protagonist’s first in-house production, THE MAN IN MY BASEMENT.
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Steven C. MillerFilmmakerSteven C. Miller is a versatile filmmaker best known for his high-octane approach to action and horror films. He first made a name for himself with the indie horror film Automaton Transfusion, which was shot on a modest budget in just nine days. The film was purchased by Dimension Films and became a cult hit. Over the past decade, Miller proved to be a prolific filmmaker and continued to grow in his work as a genre specialist. He has collaborated with Hollywood heavyweights like Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, Nicolas Cage, Dave Bautista, Malcolm McDowell and John Cusack. Miller’s ability to draw intense performances from his actors also shone through in his work with Aaron Eckhart in the gripping thriller Line of Duty, which was praised for its relentless pace and visceral action sequences.
His latest film, Werewolves, starred Frank Grillo and was released theatrically last December. The film continues Miller’s signature blend of action and horror, cementing his reputation as a director who can seamlessly merge genre elements while keeping audiences engaged.
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Kevin GoetzFounder & CEO, Screen EngineKevin Goetz is the founder and CEO of Screen Engine, a global leader in entertainment research and strategy, serving all the major film studios, television networks, and streaming services. Throughout his career, he has been at the forefront of Hollywood, having personally tested over 5,000 film titles, where his work significantly impacts how movies are made, marketed, and released.
In 2024, Kevin received American Cinematheque’s prestigious Power of Cinema Award for his contributions to the film industry. He is the author of two books: the bestselling Audience•ology: How Moviegoers Shape the Films We Love (Simon & Schuster, 2021), offering an inside look at the power of audience pre-release movie test screenings, and How to Score in Hollywood (Simon & Schuster, November 2025), exploring the secrets to success in the movie business. Kevin brings his expertise to life as the host of the popular podcast, Don’t Kill the Messenger (Apple Top 100), and continues educating the filmmaking community through keynote speeches and global presentations. He has produced twelve TV movies, including the Emmy-winning Wild Iris, and the upcoming 2025 documentary Children in the Fire.
A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Television Academy, and the Producers Guild of America, Kevin also serves on the boards of six nonprofit organizations. He currently resides in Beverly Hills with his husband, Neil, a producer and former creative advertising executive, and their labradoodle, Kasha.
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Cybill LuiFilmmaker / Producer, Anova PicturesCybill is a veteran indie producer with a track record in elevated genre films. Best known for THE SILENCING starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Annabelle Wallis and Hero Fiennes Tiffin and directed by Robin Pront, the film was a smash hit across all platforms, a Global Top Ten Netflix film across 53 countries and opening in the US with four million views.
She recently produced upcoming horror/thriller THIS IS NOT A TEST starring Olivia Holt, Froy Gutierrez and Luke Macfarlane, directed by Adam Macdonald, based on a book by NYTimes bestselling author Courtney Summers. IFC is releasing in theaters 2026.
Other films include WARNING starring Alice Eve, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Rupert Everett, and Thomas Jane, PAY THE GHOST starring Nicolas Cage, AFTER THE DARK, OLD 37. She’s a member of the PGA (Producers Guild of America), the CMPA (Canadian Media Producers Association.)