Screen International
The leading international trade publication for the global film business and festival circuit
Overview
Screen International (published at screendaily.com) is the leading trade publication for the global film industry, providing coverage of international markets, festivals, distribution deals, and production news from around the world. It is essential reading for anyone working in international co-productions.
The publication covers major international film festivals including Cannes, Berlin, Venice, and Toronto with the depth and authority of a specialist trade. Its market reports and deal coverage track the business of international film sales and distribution.
How It Works
For actors interested in international work, Screen International provides insight into which markets are producing content, where co-production opportunities exist, and how the global film business operates beyond Hollywood.
Screen International requires a paid subscription at approximately $22 per month. The paywall reflects the specialized nature of its international business coverage, which is aimed at industry professionals working in global markets.
Who Uses It
Screen International is most valuable for actors pursuing international careers or interested in the global film marketplace. If your focus is primarily US domestic work, the free trades may better serve your needs. Screen International's coverage of international film markets — including the European Film Market at Berlin, the Marché du Film at Cannes, and the American Film Market — provides essential intelligence about where international co-production funding is flowing and which territories are actively seeking talent. The publication also produces annual country-by-country industry profiles that examine the health and trajectory of film industries around the world, helping actors identify markets where their skills and profile might be in demand. For actors with international ambitions or who work on co-productions that involve multiple territories, Screen International provides the specialized business intelligence that general entertainment trades cannot match.
Pricing & Plans
Screen International requires a paid subscription at approximately $22 per month or approximately $240 per year. This pricing reflects the specialized nature of its content, which is aimed at industry professionals working in international film sales, distribution, production, and co-production. The subscription provides unlimited access to all articles, market reports, daily editions published during major film festivals and markets, and the publication's extensive database and research tools. Some limited content is available without a subscription, including selected news articles and promotional content around major festivals. Compared to the premium tiers of American trades like Variety and THR, Screen International's subscription cost is comparable but serves a distinctly different audience — international market professionals rather than general entertainment industry readers. For actors who work exclusively in the US domestic market, the subscription cost is difficult to justify, but for those pursuing international careers, the intelligence provided can be invaluable.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Screen International's greatest strength is its unmatched authority in covering the international film business, including distribution deals, co-production agreements, and market dynamics that determine how films travel across borders. The publication's daily editions during major festivals and markets provide real-time coverage of sales, acquisitions, and production announcements that are essential reading for international film professionals. Screen International's country profiles and market analyses provide contextual understanding of how different national film industries operate, what types of content they produce, and how government funding and tax incentives shape production patterns in each territory. The publication's coverage of international co-production treaties and agreements helps producers and actors understand the legal and financial frameworks that enable cross-border filmmaking. Screen International also maintains Star of Tomorrow and other talent-recognition programs that identify emerging international talent, providing actors with early awareness of directors and producers who may become important future collaborators.
What Could Be Better
Screen International's paywall is a significant barrier, particularly for actors who may not be able to justify the $22 monthly cost if they are not actively working in international markets. The publication's content is heavily oriented toward the business of international film sales and distribution, which means actors looking for craft-focused content, performance analysis, or casting news will find limited directly relevant material. Screen International's coverage is concentrated on European and established international film markets, with less comprehensive attention to emerging production markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America that are increasingly important in the global entertainment landscape. The publication's audience is predominantly composed of sales agents, distributors, and producers rather than actors, which means its editorial priorities do not always align with performer-specific interests. Screen International's specialized focus means it cannot serve as a general entertainment news source and must be supplemented with outlets that cover the broader industry.
Our Recommendation
Actors who work internationally, appear in co-productions, or are actively pursuing careers across multiple territories should consider Screen International's subscription a worthwhile investment in career intelligence that helps you navigate the complex international film marketplace. If you are in the early stages of exploring international work, start by sampling Screen International's free content and festival coverage to determine whether the publication's focus aligns with your career trajectory before committing to a subscription. American actors who work exclusively in the US domestic market are unlikely to find sufficient value in Screen International's specialized international coverage and should prioritize free domestic trade publications instead. For actors who produce their own content and are exploring international co-production funding or distribution, Screen International's market intelligence and deal coverage provides essential context for these business decisions.
Pro Tips
If you decide to subscribe to Screen International, time your subscription to coincide with the major international film markets — the European Film Market in Berlin (February), the Marché du Film at Cannes (May), and the American Film Market (November) — as these are the periods when the publication's daily market coverage provides the most concentrated and actionable intelligence. Use Screen International's country profiles to research the film industries in territories where you are considering working, as understanding local production practices, funding structures, and performer expectations helps you prepare for international collaborations. Follow Screen International's coverage of international co-production treaties and agreements that affect your target markets, as these agreements often include provisions for talent exchanges and work permits that can facilitate cross-border employment. Research the emerging filmmakers featured in Screen International's talent recognition programs, as these directors and producers represent potential future collaborators whose international perspective may complement your skills and ambitions. If you are producing content for international distribution, use Screen International's sales and acquisition coverage to understand which types of stories, genres, and production values generate the most interest from international buyers and distributors.