At Cannes Film Agency, we’ve developed a scoring system to assess the market potential and viability of films seeking funding. This system helps filmmakers understand the strengths and areas for improvement in their projects, and allows us to provide estimated income predictions. Each project is scored on key elements such as cast, team experience, genre fappeal, and audience interest that contribute to a film’s commercial viability. Here’s an overview of the scoring criteria we use, with each factor rated on a 1-10 scale.
1. Cast and Talent (1-10)
What We Measure: The market appeal and recognition of the cast involved in the project.
- High Score (7-10): Projects with well-known actors who bring established followings or high market appeal. A strong cast is a major draw for audiences and distributors alike.
- Moderate Score (4-6): Projects featuring emerging or lesser-known talent. While these actors may not have large followings, they could appeal to niche audiences or fans of specific genres.
- Low Score (1-3): Films with new or unknown actors who lack a built-in fan base. With a low score in this category, the project will rely more on other factors such as genre, storyline, or visual appeal—to attract audiences.
Why It Matters: Star power can significantly impact a film’s ability to attract funding, distribution, and audiences, especially in VOD and international markets. A well-known cast provides immediate credibility and appeal, which can lead to stronger revenue potential.
2. Production Quality Potential (1-10)
What We Measure: As the film has not yet been produced, this score reflects our estimation of the production quality based on the budget and the experience of the crew on board.
- High Score (7-10): Projects with experienced teams and adequate budgets that indicate high production quality. A strong budget and skilled crew suggest a film that can meet industry standards in cinematography, sound, and post-production.
- Moderate Score (4-6): Projects with a reasonable budget and crew experience that could yield a solid film, though potentially with limitations in certain areas. Moderate scores suggest the film may succeed with a targeted distribution approach.
- Low Score (1-3): Limited budgets or teams with little production experience. These projects may struggle to achieve professional production standards, affecting their distribution options.
Why It Matters: Production quality directly affects a film’s appeal to distributors, audiences, and festival selectors. Projects with high potential production quality are more likely to secure distribution deals and reach wider audiences.
3. Genre Viability (1-10)
What We Measure: The market demand for the film’s genre, based on current industry trends and audience preferences.
- High Score (7-10): Popular genres like thrillers, dramas, or documentaries on in-demand topics tend to attract a broader audience. High genre viability signals potential for strong revenue from direct sales, streaming, and festival submissions.
- Moderate Score (4-6): Niche genres with dedicated but smaller followings, such as experimental films or highly specialized documentaries. These genres may attract loyal audiences but often have limited commercial reach.
- Low Score (1-3): Genres with limited mainstream appeal, which may struggle to find audiences or distributors. Projects with low genre viability may need to focus on specific platforms or audiences.
Why It Matters: Genre viability influences all revenue channels. High-demand genres tend to perform well across various markets, while niche genres may require a more targeted approach for success.
4. Team Experience (1-10)
What We Measure: The experience and reputation of the film’s production team, including producers, directors, and key crew members.
- High Score (7-10): Teams with a proven track record in film or television, ideally with past work recognized by festivals or distributors. Experienced teams bring credibility, which can attract investors and potential partners.
- Moderate Score (4-6): Teams with some professional experience but limited recognition. These teams may have strong creative skills but lack an industry track record that would reassure investors.
- Low Score (1-3): Teams with little to no professional experience, which may face challenges attracting investment or securing distribution. A low score indicates a higher-risk project.
Why It Matters: Team experience affects every stage of the film’s development and distribution. A well-credentialed team increases investor confidence and can lead to stronger funding and distribution opportunities.
5. Audience Interest and Fan Base (1-10)
What We Measure: The level of pre-existing interest or fan engagement, often visible through social media followings or public interest in the film’s topic.
- High Score (7-10): Projects with a significant and engaged fan base that can support the film’s release. A high score in this category boosts the film’s potential for crowdfunding success and strong initial sales.
- Moderate Score (4-6): Projects with some interest or potential for growth. A moderate score indicates that interest could be increased with targeted marketing.
- Low Score (1-3): Projects without an established fan base. A low score means that the film will need a strong marketing strategy to create traction and attract audiences.
Why It Matters: A strong fan base can be crucial for early momentum, especially in crowdfunding and digital sales. Projects with a dedicated following are more appealing to distributors, as they come with guaranteed interest.
6. International Distribution Viability (1-10)
What We Measure: The potential for the film to resonate with international audiences, based on factors like cultural relevance, universal themes, and adaptability for subtitling or dubbing.
- High Score (7-10): Films with universal appeal, strong production standards, and relevance to international themes or issues. High scores indicate broad distribution potential across global festivals, educational markets, and VOD platforms.
- Moderate Score (4-6): Projects with some cross-border appeal or niche regional relevance. These films may succeed in specific markets or with a targeted international strategy.
- Low Score (1-3): Films with highly localized themes or styles that may not appeal broadly outside their home region. Low-scoring projects are likely to have limited international distribution options.
Why It Matters: International distribution viability expands a film’s revenue potential significantly, opening doors to festival circuits, educational sales, and global streaming platforms. A high score here enhances income predictions by diversifying revenue streams.
Calculating an Overall Score and What It Means for Your Project
After scoring each of these categories, we calculate an average score that reflects the project’s overall market viability. Here’s how we interpret the final score:
- High Overall Score (7-10): Strong market potential, with good chances of succeeding across multiple revenue channels, both domestically and internationally. Projects with high scores are likely to attract funding and secure distribution deals.
- Moderate Overall Score (4-6): Potential for success, though some limitations exist. These projects may benefit from targeted marketing, strong partnerships, and niche distribution strategies.
- Low Overall Score (1-3): Limited market viability, indicating that the film may struggle to find an audience or attract funding. For these projects, we may suggest adjusting the budget or reworking certain elements to increase feasibility.
Our scoring system provides filmmakers with a clear framework to evaluate their project’s strengths and areas for improvement. By assessing cast, team experience, genre appeal, audience interest, production quality potential, and international distribution viability, we can offer informed, realistic predictions about a film’s market success. This system helps filmmakers align their projects with achievable goals and supports their journey towards securing funding and distribution.
If you're interested in seeing how your film scores for funding, see Cannes Film Agency Consultancy.