Workshops

Sales, Marketing & Distribution with Mia Bays

Mia Bays - Tutor Profile

Mia Bays

Missing In Action Films was founded by Mia Bays in 2003 and is an Oscar winning twice BAFTA nominated production, sales/marketing consultant and creative executive.

With over 18 years experience working in film sales, marketing and distribution, Mia has worked in some of the top sales, distribution and exhibition companies in the UK before becoming a producer in 2004. Simone Glover joined in 2007, having cut her teeth at Arista, the great scriptwriting training and development agency, for 7 years.

Formerly Head of Distribution at The Film Consortium, Mia has worked with such talent as Ang Lee, Shekhar Kapur, Ian McKellen, Michael Winterbottom, John Sayles, - as well as Gavin Hood & Peter Fudakowski (as marketing consultant on TSOTSI), Lucy Walker (BLINDSIGHT), for producer Sybil Robson and is working as producer with such writers and directors as Josh Appignanesi & Jay Basu (SONG OF SONGS), Joe Dante (GREMLINS, THE BURBS, MATINEE), Pete Travis (VANTAGE POINT) and Randall Wright (BAFTA nominated doc director).

To date, Missing In Action Films have produced the Oscar winning short SIX SHOOTER, with Kenton Allen, EX MEMORIA by Josh Appignanesi, nominated for a British Indie Film Award 2006, and the acclaimed BAFTA-nominated documentary feature SCOTT WALKER - 30 CENTURY MAN by Stephen Kijak - which Verve released in the UK, Madman in Australia and Oscilloscope in the U.S. Mia has also overseen the production and sales/distribution of SHIFTY, MUM AND DAD and the upcoming FREESTYLE and THE BRITISH GUIDE TO SHOWING OFF.

Since July 2007 Mia has been a key component of the micro-budget feature film scheme MICROWAVE for Film London and the BBC as Creative Executive and Marketing/Distribution Consultant.

As an indie marketing/distribution consultant, we have worked on ANO UNA for Focus Features International and Alfonso Cuaron in 2008, on KICKS and SALVAGE this year for Digital Departures and on David Morrissey's directorial debut DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME in 2009/10.

All at Missing In Action Films are passionate about cinema and all that goes into creating stories that speak from the heart - stories with honesty and integrity.

Forthcoming titles for 2010 are 'GBH', written by Jay Basu, which is set up at Optimum/Canal Plus and Pete Travis, director of VANTAGE POINT, OMAGH and the recent (and wonderful) END GAME starring William Hurt and Chiwetel Ejiofor for Channel 4 ; a 3D feature documentary involving the great artist British David Hockney, to be directed by BAFTA winning documentarian Randall Wright. This will be shot over 2010 and 2011.

We are now involved in the production of Janis Pugh's delightful musical BALACLAVA SANDS to be produced by Rebecca Davies. Thanks to UKFC Development Fund and Screen Agency Wales for support.

Mia teaches regularly for the London Film School, National Film School, Film London, Skillset and appears regularly on festival panels such as at the London Film Fest and Sheffield Doc Fest. She recently did the keynote speech for the SPAA Fringe Producers Conference in Sydney and will soon be consulting for major Australian fund Film Victoria.

 

What people have said:


Joy Wong – Head of Sales, The Works International
“Mia has vast sales, marketing and distribution experience covering many years in the film business – her depth of knowledge is exemplary and the range of roles she has played in the industry provide a wealth of experience for those coming through.”


Sara Frain – General Manager Distribution, Metrodome Group
“A producer, a marketer, a deal maker, and an Oscar winner to boot! Mia has all the attributes of an incredibly successful film executive, it has been a real pleasure working with her on our upcoming release Shifty and her accomplishments with this film and the others on the brilliant Microwave scheme are not to be under-estimated. Mia is one of the most respected film executives in the business and I look forward to future collaborations with her.”

Justin Marciano – Managing Director, Revolver Entertainment
“I’ve known Mia for several years and the highest praise I can give her is that she always delivers. Whether it’s producing, pitching or representing first time film makers – she gets things done. Moreover because she cares about everything she puts her name to – not only does she get things done, she gets them done very well!

We may not always see eye to eye but I respect her frankness and honesty. The film industry is full of people and companies that over promise and under deliver – which is why good people like Mia are a pleasure to do business with.”

Peter Fudakowski – CEO, UK Film & Television Production Company PLC
Producer of Oscar winning Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee TSOTSI
“Mia Bays worked with us as our marketing and distribution consultant on our film TSOTSI for a year, across the release cycle, from the edit through to worldwide release. She was instrumental in planning and implementing key festival strategy, the early positioning of the film, and contributed a lot in following up with our worldwide distributors on a regular basis to ensure maximum impact in the key territories.

The film won the top prizes at Edinburgh film festival, the audience award at Toronto, two BAFTA nominations and culminating in winning the Oscar for Best Foreign Language film 2005. Her contribution was invaluable and we found her a most delightful person to work with. We will be happy to do so again.”

 

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How to apply

Please submit the following items (email applications preferred):

Once your application has been received we will provide you with instructions for booking your place online.

Email us:
Carolyn Atherton:
workshops@lfs.org.uk

Postal Address:
Workshops Admissions,
The London Film School,
24 Shelton Street,
London, WC2H 9UB, UK

Telephone us:
+44 (0)20 7836 9642

Fax us:
+44 (0)20 7497 3718