From Paris to the World: The New Playbook for French Film Exporters

Why French filmmakers struggle to win the world — and how the new playbook fixes it

Pain point: talented French films routinely run into a single problem abroad — great local stories, weak international fit and fractured rights strategies that leave money on the table. Producers, sales agents and distributors now face faster market consolidation, shifting streamer appetites and shorter windows for theatrical success. The good news: a clear, repeatable playbook has emerged in 2026 that combines co‑productions, sophisticated rights packaging and festival market intelligence to turn local films into global revenue streams.

Topline: what’s changed by early 2026

At the start of 2026 the market looks different. Consolidation among distributors and platforms has accelerated — a major production merger buzz in January underscored the trend — while buyers are more selective, favouring projects with multi‑territory strategies and flexible formats. Events like Unifrance’s 28th Rendez‑Vous in Paris (Jan 14–16) amplified this reality: more than 40 sales companies presented lineups to roughly 400 buyers from 40 territories, and the Paris Screenings showcased 71 features, 39 of them world premieres. Those numbers matter: they show both the appetite for French cinema and the competitive marketplace producers now navigate.

The new playbook in one line

Combine co‑production finance, strategic rights packaging and festival market timing — executed with a sales agent who can connect local talent to global buyers. Below we unpack each element into actionable steps you can use on your next project.

1. Co‑productions: financing with market access in mind

Co‑production is no longer just a way to raise cash. In 2026 it’s the primary tool for market entry.

• Why co‑pro now: Access to foreign tax credits, public funds (national and EU) and local distribution partners; creative partners help tailor stories for broader appeal without diluting voice.
• Where to look: Traditional EU partners (Belgium, Germany, Italy) remain strong, but 2025–26 saw more experiments: Franco‑Quebec deals for North America, and selective partnerships with Indian and African producers to reach huge regional audiences.
• How to structure it: Define budget splits that align with territorial pre‑sales. Make delivery obligations and festival premiere plans explicit. Use a co‑production treaty when possible to unlock benefits like national funding and simplified rights clearance.

Actionable step: before finalising your budget, create a territory map listing each co‑producer’s home market and identify which expenses will qualify for tax incentives. That map becomes your sales argument to pre‑buyers and streamers.

2. Rights packaging: sell smart, not everything at once

Rights packaging is the art of carving your film’s value into parcels buyers want to buy. In 2026, flexibility and clarity win deals.

• Common bundles: Theatrical + TV, SVOD + AVOD, airline + educational, secondary windows (PPV) and format spin‑offs. Sales agents increasingly offer tiered packages that combine an MG (minimum guarantee) for core markets with revenue share on long tails.
• Format licensing: French IP can be monetised beyond the film — think reality and scripted formats. The same market consolidation driving scale in production has increased demand for proven formats. French producers should evaluate whether a project has adaptable elements (characters, competition structures, themes) that can be licensed separately.
• Window strategy: Negotiate clear windows that reflect market realities in 2026 — shorter theatrical windows in smaller territories, longer for major theatrical markets with a committed distributor. Many streamers now prefer global or pan‑regional rights but will pay premiums for exclusive first‑window theatrical commitments.

Actionable step: build a rights matrix for each buyer meeting showing which rights you will and will not package. Include expected MG ranges and upside-sharing models.

3. Festival and market play: timing is distribution strategy

Festival play is not only about prestige. It’s a timing tool to build leverage with buyers.

“At Rendez‑Vous 2026, sales companies used market screenings and the Paris Screenings lineup to convert festival hype into pre‑sales and MGs.”

Key festival tactics:

• Sequencing: Decide early whether you want a world premiere (max press impact) or a market premiere (max buyer access). For sellers aiming at quick pre‑sales, a market screening at Rendez‑Vous or AFM can be preferable.
• Market events: Use markets attached to festivals (Rendez‑Vous, Cannes Market, AFM, MIPTV) as concentrated buyer access points. Plan back‑to‑back meetings with sales agents to capitalise on momentum.
• Screening copies & deliverables: Provide buyers with subtitled masters, key art, trailers and a press kit. In 2026, buyers expect localized assets (subtitle files, dubbed trailers) ready for their territory.

Actionable step: create a 12‑month festival/market calendar aligned to your rights strategy. If you plan to retain certain windows, lock those in with your sales agent before announcing festival plans.

4. Sales agents: pick partners who add more than deals

Sales agents are the bridge between production and territory buyers. In 2026, the best agents are also data partners, localization coordinators and co‑marketing strategists.

• What to evaluate: Territorial expertise (which countries they sell well in), recent track record, ability to secure MGs, willingness to co‑finance or offer advances, and their relationships with SVOD buyers.
• Deal terms: Standard commission models persist (20–35%), but expect negotiated terms for co‑exclusive or 360 deals where agents also handle non‑theatrical exploitation and format licensing.
• Operational value: Top agents now supply analytics on buyer demand, create localized marketing kits, and coordinate dubbing/subtitling rollouts to accelerate sales closing.

Actionable step: draft a one‑page brief for prospective agents highlighting your festival plan, co‑pro partners, comps, and projected P&L. Ask agents for territory‑by‑territory expected MGs and a sample deal memo.

5. Distribution strategy by market type

Not all markets are equal. Segment territories into four buckets and tailor your approach:

• Tier 1 (France, UK, Germany, USA): Prioritise theatrical partnerships, strong PR, and targeted streaming deals after an initial theatrical window. Co‑produce partners familiar with these markets add credibility.
• Tier 2 (Nordics, Benelux, Spain, Italy): Hybrid theatrical plus SVOD — consider early SVOD pre‑buys for smaller theatrical returns.
• Tier 3 (Latin America, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe): Focus on SVOD/linear TV packages and festival exposure. Local dubbing and marketing assets matter more here.
• Tier 4 (emerging markets): Format licensing, short windows or direct digital licensing can be more effective than theatrical attempts.

Actionable step: build revenue scenarios for each tier showing MG, estimated box office, and downstream AVOD/SVOD returns. Use those scenarios to decide where to chase theatrical partners.

6. Format licensing: an underused multiplier

French TV formats and film concepts can be major revenue drivers. The consolidation trend among global producers and broadcasters has increased demand for proven formats. If your film contains a replicable mechanic — a relationship arc, competition structure or character ensemble — evaluate spin‑offs early.

Actionable step: add a format clause in your IP agreements and register format treatment early. Consider separate packaging at market — film rights plus a format option — to attract different buyer types.

7. Technology, AI and localization — speed wins

In 2026, the fastest seller often wins the deal. AI tools now accelerate subtitling, dubbing, metadata generation and trailer editing. Use tech to shorten the buyer’s lead time between interest and delivery.

• Pre‑prepare subtitle and dub masters in target languages for priority territories.
• Use AI to generate multiple trailer edits testing different hooks for different markets.
• Implement rights management tools to track territory expiries and revenue waterfalls.

Actionable step: invest in a localization pack (subtitles in 4–6 languages, 2 dubbed trailers, localized key art) before your first market presentation.

8. Financing & risk management: practical clauses producers must include

Protecting your film’s upside while enabling sales is a delicate balance. Include these practical clauses:

• Minimum guarantees vs. advances: Seek MGs for core markets; accept advances where necessary but cap recoupable costs in the waterfall.
• Territorial exclusivity: Limit exclusivity periods to preserve long‑tail opportunities.
• Festival compatibility clause: Ensure rights buyers accept festival premiere constraints, especially if you pursue major festival launches.
• Talent approval and credits: Negotiate clearance windows to avoid hold‑ups on dubbing/edits.
• Currency and tax hedging: Use simple hedging for large MGs paid in foreign currencies to mitigate FX risk.

Actionable step: work with a specialist entertainment lawyer to build a standard deal memo template covering these points — it speeds negotiations at market.

Real‑world examples and recent market signals

Recent markets in late 2025 and early 2026 signalled how these tactics are used in practice. The Unifrance Rendez‑Vous in Paris demonstrated how concentrated buyer access converts into deals: sales agents used market screenings at Paris Screenings to showcase 71 features, and buyers from 40 territories evaluated potential acquisitions in a three‑day window. Separately, the continued consolidation among international producers and distributors — a major merger conversation early in 2026 shows this trend — means larger groups are looking for content they can exploit across multiple territories and formats.

12‑point checklist: execute the playbook

1. Map target territories and tier them by revenue potential.
2. Create a co‑production plan with partner markets, tax credits and fund sources listed.
3. Draft a rights matrix with packages and suggested MG ranges.
4. Build a 12‑month festival and market calendar aligned to those packages.
5. Pre‑produce localization assets (subs/dubs/trailers) for priority territories.
6. Prepare a one‑page brief for sales agents with comps and expected P&L.
7. Negotiate festival‑compatible exclusivity and recoupment waterfall clauses.
8. Assess format potential and register IP protection for spin‑offs.
9. Use AI tools to accelerate trailer edits and metadata creation.
10. Obtain legal templates (deal memos, option agreements) before markets.
11. Request agent territory revenue projections before signing representation.
12. Monitor consolidation and buyer appetite post‑market; be ready to adjust windowing.

What to expect in the next 24 months (2026–2027)

Expect more cross‑border experimentation: pan‑regional SVODs will compete for local hits, co‑productions with non‑European partners will grow, and format licensing will become an essential secondary revenue stream. Festivals and markets will stay crucial, but success will increasingly depend on being first to supply localisation and clear rights — a logistical advantage as much as a creative one.

Final takeaways

The new playbook is practical: finance via co‑production, package rights in market‑friendly bundles, and use festivals and markets to build urgency and leverage. The best deals in 2026 will go to teams that combine creative distinctiveness with meticulous commercial preparation — and who bring a sales agent that can execute across territories.

Action now

If you’re a French producer or sales agent prepping for your next market: start your territory map today, prepare a localization pack, and shortlist three agents with proven territory reach. If you’re a buyer or distributor: build a watchlist from Rendez‑Vous screenings and request localized screeners — the fastest offer often wins.

Want a ready‑to‑use checklist? Download our one‑page film export playbook and contact a recommended sales agent list for Rendez‑Vous 2027. Stay ahead: in 2026 speed, clarity and market knowledge convert into global deals.

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