Independent film self distribution

You will have to plan out a solid strategy for this to be profitable. Selfdistribution for filmmakers the home of independent film. The film points towards a future an afterward that attempts to live with the truths of history in order to make sense of the present. Its a fun family film starring stephen dillane, george corraface and georgia groome. Selfdistribution intensive indie producer giulia caruso spa night, columbus breaks down the elements of a selfdistribution strategy. This intensive, twoday class will cover the basics from festivals to theatrical, windowing your release, marketing, splitting rights, delivery, recouping, residuals and more. Wed all love to open our inboxes one morning to find a message from a24 looking to distribute our buzzing indie features.

Indie film distributors list of distributors, distribution. Making a batch of 1,000 dvds or blurays isnt always costeffective for low budget documentaries unless youre sure that you can sell them all. Dec 03, 2016 self distributing a feature film by pascal payant film courage. Tugg is a communitydriven platform for bringing independent titles to screens anywhere in the us. Independent film distribution takes the reader deep into the process of positioning a film for distribution.

It used to be that film self distribution meant getting a van, a bunch of fly posters, and hitting the road. Dec, 20 before the internet paved the way for online film distribution platforms like netflix, amazon, itunes, etc. Many independent filmmakers are surprised at the amount of effort and skill required to secure an equitable distribution agreement. One key reason filmmakers choose to self distribute as a form of independent film marketing, is that theatrical release status will allow for press to attend the theater. With their hopes for conventional movie deals increasingly dead on arrival, more and more indie filmmakers are opting for a doityourself model. Apr 22, 2019 find a list of film distribution companies here. Quiver provides worldwide distribution of film and television content across major digital download and streaming retailers. What filmmakers need to know about indie film distribution in. A few days before you pulled up into a town, an advance person would leaflet the place, and when you arrived you would do some local radio, screen your film at the local rep cinema, collect the box office minus the venues share, sell tshirts, posters, cds and whatever else you. The film collaborative is the first nonprofit, fullservice provider dedicated to the distribution of independent film, including narrative features, documentaries and shorts. Filmhub allows filmmakers to upload your film for free, while streaming channels discover, order, and stream your work worldwide. The insiders guide to independent film distribution is a must for anyone who hopes to make and sell a film with good results.

Theatrical self distribution of indie films made easy with. Stacey parks has worked with dozens of hungry filmmakers to get their films a distribution deal and knows how frustrating the whole process can be. Dec 17, 2014 a year ago, we found ourselves in a situation most indie filmmakers will face. You want to avoid the fall and early winter because the films with awards season buzz are already hogging the spotlight. Having your film picked up for distribution is never easy. An independent film production can rival a mainstream film production if it has the necessary funding and distribution. Screening your independent film at cinemas is very expensive and seeing as you dont have a distributor you will have to pay for the film rating. Independent films are often screened at local, national, or international film festivals before distribution theatrical or retail release. So the director, randall miller, opened the film himself the next week in 12 cities.

Selfdistributing a feature film by pascal payant film courage. How i selfdistributed my feature film media network the guardian. Distributors do the fcking and the key to profits lies in being at the top of the moneychain and controlling content and today, with video ondemand viability, it is easy to control content and be in second position normal theatrical distribution has the. Learn how hustle, truth, and knowledge can take you anywhere.

I really wish i would have budgeted for a selfdistribution film campaign. In addition, there is no single route to the cinema screen and with over 300 theatrical distributors in the uk alone, and selfdistribution becoming more popular. Stacey parks has worked with hundreds of hungry filmmakers to get their films a distribution deal and knows how frustrating the whole process can be. As an independent filmmaker, if you were lucky enough to garner a distribution deal, odds were good the deal was less than satisfying. Thirdparty aggregators are vendors who specialize in movie distribution. The encoding house processes the content in the applespecific encode that is required for distribution on itunes. Whether youre an indie filmmaker or producer, this guide will help you release.

How to release and selfdistribute an independent film rev. Theatrical self distribution of indie films made easy with tugg ifh 025. How to sell a film online using streaming distribution services share this article. Aug 11, 2017 rebecca norris gives indie filmmakers 5 reasons to self distribute your film on amazon video direct, for international distribution without the middleman. We offer educational webinars, effective selfdistribution options and professional advice. We offer a full range of affordable distribution, educational, and marketing education to independent filmmakers looking to reach out to traditionally underserved audiences.

Sep 07, 2005 paramount pictures and universal pictures to begin self distribution of films in 15 key countries beginning in january 2007 companies extend and restructure united international pictures uip joint venture to handle distribution in remaining international remaining countries. As well, youll hear some success stories from producers and hear exactly what buyers are seeking. Regardless of whether you choose to use an aggregator, all content must be encoded and delivered by an appleapproved encoding house. Indie film distribution home of indie rights indie rights. Videoondemand seems to be the best way for a selfdistributed film to. Apr 09, 2018 as an independent filmmaker, if you were lucky enough to garner a distribution deal, odds were good the deal was less than satisfying. Enter your name and email to get instant access to the training. Unfortunately, unless youre already a name director with an established track record or your film has played at top festivals, theres no. Nov 23, 2015 theatrical self distribution of indie films made easy with tugg ifh 025. Executive produced by steve soderbergh, an acclaimed pioneer of independent cinema. A presale is a limited distribution agreement for a particular country entered into prior to completion, and often even prior to commencement of production, of the film. As a microbudget film directorproducer, you should proactively plan for it. With the dramatic increase in independent production, it is apparent that many filmmakers have mastered the skills needed.

For an independent film, a common scenario is one where the distributor takes a distribution fee off the top of the incoming revenue, followed by recoupment of their advance and marketing expenses, followed by a split of any remaining net profit. It used to be that film selfdistribution meant getting a van, a bunch of fly. Unfortunately, unless youre already a name director with an established track record or. Self distribution and other alternatives to traditional distribution are also considered. Unique case studies and exclusive commentary from the top names in independent cinema including mark cuban, hal hartley, bill plympton, liz garbus, and arthur dong help provide a. How to sell a film online using streaming distribution services.

In addition to submitting your independent film and brokering deals with the various vod platforms, aggregators also take care of. Rebecca norris is a writer and filmmaker with her production company freebird entertainment. Indie film distributors look for one thing only when they evaluate paying for your indie films. How film distribution works in this century amy clarke films. The insiders guide to independent film distribution. Paramount pictures and universal pictures to begin selfdistribution of films in 15 key countries beginning in january 2007 companies extend and restructure united international pictures uip joint venture to handle distribution in. Indie film distribution submit your film today indie. Tugg is a communitydriven platform for bringing independent titles to screens. Apr 20, 2020 film festivals present another opportunity for exposure and potential independent film distribution.

To evaluate this, they look at your film, the size of the target audience, how your film compares to previously successful similar films, and in the end, it comes down to whether they think they can sucessfully get your film screened in a theater or digitally. Burn, distribution, drafthouse films, james shapiro, portland film festival, self distribution, suzanne mitchell youve made an independent film and youd like to get it out into the world. But if you have made a movie, you have probably experienced the rollercoaster ride of emotions that comes from being a filmmaker. Rebecca norris gives indie filmmakers 5 reasons to selfdistribute your film on amazon video direct, for international distribution without the middleman. The independent filmmaker project has a more detailed article on the difference between markets and film festivals read here. The traditional way for independent filmmakers to find a film distributor is through film festivals.

In addition, self distribution represents an expanding pathway to securing an audience, and these methods include online avenues and dvd creation. The theatrical selfdistribution of northern lights. Unfortunately, unless youre already a name director with an established track. Good samaritans risk hostility, political persecution, and legal prosecution to care for feral cats living in colonies. Selfdistribution is an important conversation to be having. The insiders guide to independent film distribution, 2nd. Self distribution becomes a more viable option for smaller films with tools that allow filmmakers to control the process. What are the different methods of independent film distribution. Quiver digital digital distribution to worlds largest vod. To distribute a film online to a vod platform, you have two paths. Choosing the right release dates for your theatrical and online releases are key. How independent film gets to itunes, amazon, and hulu. A year ago, we found ourselves in a situation most indie filmmakers will face. If a film is to find its audience, indie filmmakers must put their energy into distribution too.

There are so many books available for the independent filmmaker and producer. Film festivals present another opportunity for exposure and potential independent film distribution. For most indie films up until the last 5 years or so, the most realistic outcome would be for a. To this end, they do not take a cut from filmmakers. The following is an abridged version of a report on the selfdistribution of the 1978 u. Unique case studies and exclusive commentary from the top names in independent cinema including mark cuban, hal hartley, bill plympton, liz garbus, and arthur dong help provide a handson approach to the subject. And the idea of figuring out how to create a self distribution film campaign might feel daunting. In addition, selfdistribution represents an expanding pathway to securing an audience, and these methods include online avenues and dvd creation. The entrepreneurial filmmakers guide to self distribution. Youve made an independent film and youd like to get it out into the world. Successful filmmakers and by that i mean filmmakers who successfully recoup their budget and repay investors, are the ones who develop a distribution strategy before they embark on the filmmaking process, and sometimes before they write the script. After receiving phone calls from wouldbe distributors full of empty promises, i started to dislike the predatory nature of traditional film distribution.

You should be factoring selfdistribution costs into your overall. Ifh is a resource dedicated to dropping truth bombs on filmmakers with a no nonsense approach. Staceys book was the one i kept, carried, and continue to. We offer educational webinars, effective self distribution options and professional advice. Jan 30, 2018 but bottle shock found no love among distributors in park city, utah. Tv is a social payperview platform designed for the independent film community. Pay one flat fee to distribute your film to major digital video retailers, then keep. While most independent filmmakers dont set out to make a film specifically for netflix or amazon, the companies have shown a notable interest in making and acquiring films and tv shows with. Netflix and amazon offer indie filmmakers hope and. Staceys book was the one i kept, carried, and continue to use as my primary resource to this day. Breakdown of the major online indie film distribution platforms. The case for selfdistributing your microbudget feature.

Independent film marketing festivals, markets, self. Filmmakers need to get a good, rocksolid understanding of how film distribution works. But bottle shock found no love among distributors in park city, utah. Indie rights, a subsidiary of nelson madison films, is a full service, global distributor with direct relationships to major distribution outlets. Based on the experience of its founders, linda nelson and michael madison, the need for a new type of distribution for truly independent films is evident.

If the first two routes fail you can always self distribute. Their online distribution mission is give viewers more power to support and find new and upandcoming films, filmmakers, and genres. Selfdistribution for filmmakers raindance film festival. Sep 27, 2016 i really wish i would have budgeted for a self distribution film campaign. Before the internet paved the way for online film distribution platforms like netflix, amazon, itunes, etc. Apple pays the aggregator for sales, and the aggregator then pays the content owner. As a filmmaker you can use the platform to arrange and. Selfdistribution and other alternatives to traditional distribution are also considered. Selfdistributing a feature film by pascal payant youtube.