TIFF Report: Searching for Legion M's Next Film

TL;DR
Legion M is actively hunting for films to acquire for distribution.
We have 5 films on our shortlist from TIFF. Vote now to pick your favorites.
Planning has begun for Sundance and SXSW. Join our call next week to learn more.

BACKGROUND

As we’ve shared in previous updates, Legion M is entering an exciting new era. Over nearly a decade we’ve leveled up from making small investments in other people's films to financing, developing, and producing films of our own.

Now we’re ready to start releasing. 

We dipped a toe with Memory: The Origins of Alien (which we distributed in partnership with Screen Media) and William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill (which we self-released).

Today, distribution is the next stage in Legion M’s moonshot. It represents a business model with potential to supercharge our revenue. And the ability to control our own destiny with marketing and theater bookings. 

Most importantly, it gets us one step closer to where Legion M aims to be. It’s no coincidence that the biggest movie studios in the world control their own production and distribution.

ACQUIRING MOVIES

As we build our distribution capabilities, it creates another exciting opportunity: acquiring new films.

If you’ve ever gone to a film festival like Sundance, SXSW, or TIFF, you probably know that in addition to being a place for fans to watch movies, they are also marketplaces where finished films are bought and sold.

Over the years, Legion M has participated in several festivals. In the early days we were looking for partners (that's how we got involved with Memory and Save Yourselves). More recently we've gone with Legion M titles (Shatner and Zoe) that were for sale.

Now we’re going as a buyer. And, as always, our community is our secret weapon.

TIFF REPORT

Two weeks ago, Legion M went to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) - one of the premier markets in North America. Before the festival, we sent a quick survey with 17 films that had buzz as “hot titles for acquisition." Thousands of you weighed in.

We believe this data is invaluable. To give you an idea, there were 145 films with U.S. rights available at TIFF. Most distributors craft watchlists based on the opinions of a few individuals. We have feedback from thousands*. 

The data shaping those opinions is limited (e.g., logline, cast, image), but it’s the exact same data people use to make decisions when scrolling through Amazon looking for something to watch.

*Note – longtime Legion M’ers will be happy to know that we’re spooling up Film Scout again. We can’t wait to bring that weapon to bear in this new era...

FILM SCOUTS, ASSEMBLE!

Once at the festival, you get to the most important (and fun!) part – watching the movies. This is where the rubber meets the road.

There are always highly rated films that don’t deliver. And hidden gems that come from nowhere to blow you away.

At TIFF, we saw a total of 16 films. That’s OK, but we know this is another area where we can bring our community to bear.

When Legion M has done festival activations in the past, we’ve had hundreds of Legion M Film Scouts as “boots on the ground” to watch movies.

And while we didn’t coordinate any Film Scout activities at TIFF this year, planning is already underway for Sundance (January in Park City, UT) and SXSW (March in Austin, TX). Join our call next week if you'd like to learn more.

THE RESULTS

We’re happy to say that TIFF delivered. Legion M came home with a shortlist of 5 films we’re considering (vote now to weigh in with your thoughts!). 

There’s no guarantee we’ll land one of these films – the competition is fierce, especially for top-tier titles. 

But we’re in the game. If it doesn’t happen with a title from TIFF, we expect it will happen soon enough.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Please take a moment to vote in the latest M-Pulse. We’ve got 5 films on our short list, and we’d love to hear your feedback.

Also, if you are interested in joining us at an upcoming film festival, please join our call to discuss plans for Sundance and SXSW.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. This what fuels Legion M's next stage growth.

In the meantime we’re excited to move forward and keep building Legion M into the world-class studio it is destined to become! 

Onward and Upward!

—Jeff, Paul, and the Legion M Team