What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head of Film Distribution position at Lima Films?
Role Description
This is a full-time, remote role for a Head Distribution. The position is focused on securing distribution agreements at the earliest stages of development, including projects at script stage, with a strong emphasis on pre-sales and Minimum Guarantees (MGs).
The Head of Film Sales & Script-Stage Distribution will be responsible for structuring and securing early-stage distribution and sales agreements, packaging projects for market readiness, and leveraging industry relationships to attach buyers, distributors, and financiers at script level. The role includes negotiating MGs, building and managing a pipeline of pre-sale opportunities, and aligning creative and commercial strategy to maximize project financing potential.
Key responsibilities include identifying marketable scripts, assessing commercial viability, initiating and closing distribution conversations at development stage, and coordinating with producers, financiers, and sales agents to secure territorial and global deals. The role also involves tracking market trends, advising on packaging strategy (cast, genre, budget positioning), and maintaining strong relationships with international distributors and sales companies.
Key Responsibilities
- Secure distribution agreements and pre-sales at script and development stage
- Negotiate and close Minimum Guarantee (MG) deals with distributors and sales agents
- Identify commercially viable scripts and advise on market positioning and packaging
- Build and maintain relationships with international distributors, sales agents, and financiers
- Develop and execute early-stage sales and distribution strategies across territories
- Collaborate with producers and creatives to optimize projects for marketability
- Monitor global film market trends, buyer demand, and financing structures
- Support deal structuring across development, production, and financing phases
- Maintain an active pipeline of projects suitable for pre-sale and MG opportunities
Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience in film sales, distribution, or international rights sales
- Proven track record of securing MGs and pre-sale distribution agreements
- Strong industry relationships with distributors, sales agents, and financiers
- Experience working with projects at script stage or early development phase
- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently while managing multiple deal pipelines
- Strong understanding of global film markets, territories, and distribution models
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Film, Marketing, or related field (or equivalent industry experience)