Trainee, Acquisitions – Sony Pictures Classics – Spring 2027

Job Position(s): Trainee, Acquisitions - Sony Pictures Classics - Spring 2027

Sony Pictures is hiring a Trainee, Acquisitions at Sony Pictures Classics, based onsite in New York. This role sits inside the Acquisitions Department, which is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and structuring deals on independent and international films for one of the most respected specialty distributors in the business. It is a strong entry point for a recent graduate or career-changer who wants to build real credentials in independent film acquisitions and distribution.

About the Role

The Sony Pictures Classics Acquisitions team works across the full spectrum of independent film and international cinema, identifying titles and moving them through the deal-making process from initial discovery to signed agreement. Day-to-day, the Trainee, Acquisitions supports that pipeline through coverage writing, title research, and market analysis, the foundational work that drives acquisition decisions. This is a full-time, paid trainee position running from January 4 or 11, 2027 through December 17, 2027, with an application deadline of October 15, 2026.

Key Responsibilities

• Write coverage on scripts and finished films, delivering clear assessments that inform the acquisitions team’s programming decisions.
• Research upcoming titles across the independent film and international cinema landscape to keep the team current on the market.
• Support market research projects that track trends in specialty distribution and competitive acquisitions activity.
• Assist with administrative duties that keep the department running, including scheduling, database management, and data entry.
• Contribute informed opinions on projects under consideration while remaining open to learning how seasoned acquisitions executives evaluate and prioritize titles.

What You Bring

• A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent professional experience in lieu of a degree.
• A genuine working knowledge of American independent film and international cinema, not just casual familiarity.
• Proficiency across MS Office Suite, specifically Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with Adobe Suite experience considered a plus.
• Strong organizational skills, including comfort with scheduling, database upkeep, and detailed data entry in a high-volume environment.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate a point of view on a film with confidence and specificity.

Why This Role

Sony Pictures Classics has a decades-long track record distributing some of the most recognized films in independent and foreign language cinema, giving anyone in this department direct exposure to how specialty film acquisitions actually work at a high level. The Trainee, Acquisitions role is structured to provide real workflow experience, not administrative busywork, with access to executive engagement and professional networking built into the program. For anyone serious about a career in independent film distribution, this is a rare year-long position inside a label with genuine industry standing.

Apply now for the Trainee, Acquisitions role at Sony Pictures Classics and take a concrete step into independent film acquisitions in New York.