Methodology

• Scope: Feature documentaries only. Excludes episodic and series projects, docuseries pilots, and shorts.
• Sold: Film was formally acquired by a distributor at or after the festival, with money exchanged (theatrical, streaming, or broadcast deal in at least one major territory). Sale dates are based on official announcements in trade press or distributor press releases.
• Pre-Acquired: Film arrived at the festival with a confirmed distributor, broadcaster, or streaming platform already in place — including commissions, pre-buys, and co-productions with confirmed broadcast slots. Counts any major pre-existing distribution, whether US or international.
• No Commercial Distribution: No confirmed theatrical, streaming, or broadcast deal with a commercial distributor found. Includes films with sales agents but no confirmed buyers. Self-distribution and community screenings without a formal acquisition deal are not counted as commercial distribution.
• Timeline: Days post-festival are counted from day 0, the opening day of the festival. A film acquired on opening day = day 0; the next day = day 1, and so on. Festival start dates used: Jan 18, 2024; Jan 23, 2025; Jan 22, 2026.
• Same-Day Distribution Comparison: Compares each year's distribution status at the same point in time (day N), treating Pre-Acquired films as already distributed (blue) and Sold films as distributed only once their formal acquisition was announced by day N (green). Films not yet distributed at day N (whether they were ultimately never picked up or sold later) are shown in pink.
• Current Year Median: The median time-to-sale for the most recent festival year is shown as "Pending" until one full year has elapsed (day 365). Before that point, the median would reflect only early sales and would not be comparable to prior years.
• Pace of Post-Festival Sales: The % of Films Sold By Day cumulative curve offers two views. All Films uses the full cohort as the denominator. Pre-acquired films (those with distribution deals announced before the festival) are counted as sold at day 0, since their deals were in place by opening day. Available Films restricts both the numerator and denominator to films that entered the festival without a deal, counting only post-festival sales. This view reflects the active acquisition market rather than the cohort as a whole.
• Sale amounts marked press estimate are sourced from trade publications and have not been officially confirmed by the parties.
• Data sourced from Deadline, IndieWire, THR, Variety, Screen Daily, Wikipedia, filmmaker websites, PBS/ITVS, and IDA. Research current through May 15, 2026.