The Gatekeeper Role of Distributors in the Dutch Market

This chapter addresses the role of film distributors in the Dutch market to demonstrate how they work together with sales agents to acquire films in the global marketplace. I focus on acquisition decisions of different types of distributors to analyse their relationships with sales agents. In particular, I analyse how factors such as reputation and status, taste preferences and networking arrangements work together as important influences in their decision-making process about films. This analysis also sheds light on the concept of gatekeeping networks.