> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cinelaunch.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cinelaunch.io/agreement-types/sales-agent-agreement-saa.md).

# Sales Agent Agreement (SAA)

**Sales Agent Agreement (SAA)**

A Sales Agent Agreement is the contract in which a producer appoints a sales agent to license a film to distributors, usually internationally, one territory at a time. Some agents also handle domestic (U.S.) sales or work alongside a separate domestic rep. The sales agent takes the film to the major markets (AFM, the European Film Market in Berlin, Cannes and TIFF), sets prices, negotiates with buyers and collects money as it comes in.

The key terms in an SAA are:

* **Territory and rights.** Usually worldwide excluding the U.S., or worldwide, covering all media.
* **Term.** Commonly 7 to 15 years from delivery, sometimes with extensions tied to unrecouped expenses.
* **Commission.** A percentage of gross receipts, usually somewhere between 10% and 25%. It runs higher for unproven projects and can be split between pre-sales and post-completion sales. Domestic commissions are often negotiated separately.
* **Recoupable expenses.** These are market costs, deliverables, screenings and marketing materials. They should always be capped. A cap well into six figures is common for indie titles, and the producer should push for lower.
* **Sales estimates (asks and takes).** These are the agent’s projected price ranges for each territory. The producer usually gets approval over any deal below the agreed minimums.
* **Minimum guarantee or advance.** In some deals the sales agent pays an advance against future sales. This makes the agent a financier as well as a seller, and gives it a larger role in the waterfall.
* **Collection account.** Revenues should flow through an independent collection account governed by a CAMA (Collection Account Management Agreement), not through the agent’s own accounts.
* **Accounting and audit.** Quarterly statements for the first few years and semi-annual after that, with audit rights.
* **Key person and termination.** These let the producer exit if the key salesperson leaves or the agent defaults or goes insolvent.