Beyond awards, what specific data point in a film festival listing on IMDbPro provides the MOST insightful information regarding a film's success and potential for distribution?
Beyond awards, the most insightful data point is the presence and details of distribution deals or acquisition announcements resulting directly from the film festival. While awards are prestigious, a distribution deal signifies concrete interest from distributors willing to invest in the film's commercial release. The specific distributor, the scope of the deal (e.g., theatrical, streaming, international), and the financial terms (if publicly available) provide a clearer indication of the film's commercial viability and potential audience reach than awards alone. For example, a film that secured a distribution deal with a major streaming service after premiering at Sundance is likely to have a greater impact than a film that won a minor award at a less prominent festival but lacks distribution.