The Business of Film, Fourth Edition is the essential guide to understanding how the global film and entertainment industry works today. From development and financing to production, marketing, and distribution, industry veterans Stephen R. Greenwald and Paula Landry provide a practical, hands-on roadmap for navigating an industry undergoing unprecedented change.

Fully updated for today's media landscape, this edition explores the forces reshaping filmmaking and content creation, including artificial intelligence, virtual production, global streaming platforms, international co-productions, audience analytics, and emerging business models. Readers will gain insight into every stage of the filmmaking lifecycle—from planning, development, and financing to production, marketing, exhibition, distribution, and monetization across theatrical, streaming, television, and digital platforms worldwide.

Illustrated with real-world case studies, sample financing scenarios, industry charts, and practical tools, The Business of Film bridges the gap between creative ambition and commercial success. New and expanded coverage examines evolving financing structures, independent film opportunities, global distribution strategies, intellectual property, and the growing influence of major media companies and streamers. Whether you are a student, filmmaker, producer, writer, investor, or media entrepreneur, this comprehensive guide provides the knowledge and strategies needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected entertainment marketplace.

Extensive online resources include downloadable templates, presentations, quizzes, and teaching materials for both classroom and professional use.

Stephen R. Greenwald has been professionally involved in the motion picture and related industries for over forty years as an attorney, film financier, corporate executive, producer and consultant, including as Chief Executive Officer of three public companies in the film business. His experience has encompassed all aspects of the entertainment business, including development, production, international distribution, film financing, film and film library and literary work valuations; media company reorganizations and film studio construction and operation.

Paula Landry is a writer/producer, film business and media consultant, interested in disruptive business models. Landry crafts feature films and episodic content, business plans, budgets and schedules, as well as branded content for Fortune 500 companies and non-profits. Landry is president of IdeaBlizzard Productions and is also the author of Scheduling and Budgeting Your Film: A Panic-Free Guide, now in its third edition and Applying Entrepreneurship to the Arts: How Artists, Creatives, and Performers Can Use Start-up Principles to Build Careers and Generate Income.