Strategic brand consultant and independent film producer Brian Newman expresses frustration with current film market trends, following the 2024 Sundance sales. Newman highlights a buyer preference for big, commercially appealing projects and argues that smaller, challenging, or artistic films struggle to find a home. He indicates that a shift towards more accessible and entertaining content may be attributed to a desire for escapism in the face of societal challenges. Newman acknowledges that if filmmakers want to reach a large audience, they may want to focus on projects that fit the current market demands, emphasizing the need to go big for success in the industry, even if it goes against artistic instincts.