What Buyers Want at TIFF

Buyer appetites at this year's Toronto market are coming into focus, according to Deadline's annual hot list. Financier Black Bear is looking to acquire finished projects, and sellers are watching Sumerian after its surprise Sundance purchase of the Channing Tatum drama Josephine. Warner Bros.' genre label Clockwork is seeking titles that can gross $15 million to $20 million at the domestic box office. Deadline also reported that Paramount+ and Peacock, the latter looking for material with appeal to the Bravo audience, are ready to act as pay-one providers for theatrical distributors, a role Hulu has long filled on many indie acquisitions. One drawback for sellers: TIFF has reduced its press and industry screening schedule because the market is taking up showings. Some in the industry expect AFM to become the place where deals launched in Toronto get closed. Black Bear, which launched its distribution arm around last year's festival, next releases Wicker, a Sundance acquisition starring Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgard, TheWrap reported.