First Hand Films is a shortcut to quality.
Tabitha Jackson, Commissioning Editor True Stories, Channel Four UK

We have been quite impressed with the responsive professionalism and great support First Hand Films has provided 'Please Remove Your Shoes'.

Rob DelGaudio, Black Pearl Productions

It is an honour for me to be worldwide represented by First Hand Films. I am aware that FHF gets thousands of offers every year and that they try hard to select only the best films. To be represented by a small company like FHF has a great advantage for me since we know each other personally, and my films are not just a number within a huge catalogue. They really care. The girls work hard for every single film, and still after many years they are able to sell the product. Esther is well connected within the independent film scene, she has a great reputation, and - last but not least - she does a job for me I am not able or I don't want to do. First Hand Films company is always reliable and transparent with what they do for my film, they're very serious with accounting and payments. Whenever I receive their reports twice a year it is a surprise to see to whom they have talked about my film, and to whom they have sold it.

Sigrid Faltin, White Pepper Film, 'La Paloma' and 'The Guggenheim and the Baroness'

In working with First Hand Films, I realize time and again how important it is for us filmmakers to think also outside one’s own box. I find this extremly important in filmmaking; to have in mind the whole life cycle of the film, from the first idea touching us up to the smart and creative way of bringing the film to all kinds of audiences, through all kinds of channels. A good disitributor will approach the entire process of creation and production with respect and add their experience, knowledge and expertise, and not least their good taste, to all the steps of the process and all the work done on the long way each film takes before it sees the light. First Hand Films is such a distributor, and I enjoy working with them.

Stefan Haupt, Fontana Film, 'Argyris', 'Facing Death: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross'

A Letter from a Producer:

If I choose to work with you again and again - besides the fact that Esther is an old and good friend - it will be because I want my distributor to care for and love my films as I do. This assures me that they will do a good job. The fact that you don't take every film that i offer you, sometimes because you don't connect to it and sometimes due to other reasons, tells me that when you do take a film, you believe in it and will do your best for it. I like that you're picky...

Another reason is your understanding in film and your creative input - this refers of course to those films that you are involved in during their making and before they’re completed. It helps a lot also to consult, to get your input also in cases like today, analyzing texts and images together, a synopsis, a trailer - it helps me a lot to understand what you as international distributors understand and what not, and so I can learn from it especially if I target audiences around the world.

And a last reason for our cooperation is your honesty and transparency - I can trust you. Also when i have questions: I always get answers. You know and understand that I need to see what's going on and what is happening with a film of mine and you send me a report even without me asking for it - like you did this Saturday.

These are my special reasons beside the classic ones such as professionalism, a friendly attitude and your excellent connections as well your outstanding reputation.

Osnat Trabelsi, Trabelsi Productions 'Arna’s Children', 'Strawberry Fields', 'The Traffickers'
http://www.filmsbazaar.com/index.php?cat=Trabelsi+Films

"Although it may be tempting, never try to sell your own films. Because you can never be objective either about something you have created, or about yourself. The best agents are something more than sellers - they care about the work in their portfolio. And they have become adept at handling the whims of commissioning editors - a group of people best likened to spoilt and finicky pedigree dogs."

Nick Fraser, Commissioning Editor Storyville, BBC