The film collaborative is the first nonprofit, fullservice provider dedicated to the distribution of independent film, including narrative features, documentaries and shorts. After the film screened at the tribeca film festival in 2012, the filmmakers got distribution offers, but they werent happy with the offers they got. Thirdparty aggregators are vendors who specialize in movie distribution. Often, one deal is with an international distributor a. Distribution and the indie filmmaker entertainment law resources. Distribution for independent film is a completely different process.
Most film producers work for the major studios, including disney, dreamworks, fox, mgm, paramount, sony, universal and warner bros. Film distribution platform for indie filmmakers and video streaming services. And as a filmmaker, is there anything you can do to give your film a better shot. The great films, indie and studio alike, found their audience, were celebrated, and a lot of them made money. The art of the deal how movie distribution works howstuffworks. Sep 27, 2019 the landscape of independent film distribution is evolving and we are doing our best to keep up with it. The end of independent film as we know it the ringer. When we released our first feature on amazon and started making sales, it was hard to believe we could do so without a traditional film distribution deal.
As we do, we offer this collection of videos from wh. Together with our customers, koch media develops distribution and marketing strategies tailored to business partners specific requirements. Indie rights, a subsidiary of nelson madison films, is a full service, global distributor with direct relationships to major distribution outlets. Negotiation is an essentialbut little understoodpart of dealmaking. To make fair deals with good distributors, there are mistakes you must avoid and steps you need to take. Indie film distribution submit your film today indie rights movie. Every film can benefit from having a distribution strategy before its festival. Fox acquired 28 days later and slumdog millionaire for fox searchlight pictures and not for 20th century fox. Depending on whether the studio pays part or all of the cost of the film, the studio will receive the rights. Netflix and amazon offer indie filmmakers hope and. These days, distribution deals vary about as much as snowflakes.
Sep 02, 2014 negotiation is an essentialbut little understoodpart of dealmaking. Film distribution strategies to use when financing your movie jun 5, 2017 entertainment finance. While the opportunity for exposure feels enticing, accepting a silly deal doesnt pay the bills or pay back your investors. Depending on whether the studio pays part or all of the cost of the film, the studio will. Film distribution distributing an independent movie. In film production, a negative pickup is a contract entered into by an independent producer and a movie studio conglomerate wherein the studio agrees to purchase the movie from the producer at a given date and for a fixed sum. The goal of attending can be to make production and distribution deals, learn about new products or segments of the industry, or. Breakdown of the major online indie film distribution. Large chains such as amc theatres or united artists employ buyers while small chains and independent theaters contract with a buyer. Making a movie is not as difficult as getting it distributed.
How to get a distribution deal sell your movie ideas to. But how does one get that elusive distribution deal. Movies do not get picked up for theatrical releases that have been sent on a dvd to a. Aug 08, 2017 but how does one get that elusive distribution deal. What filmmakers need to know about indie film distribution in. How to make a successful end run around the big guys hall, phil on. If youre having similar thoughts, you may want to rethink a few things. The insiders guide to independent film distribution. A film producer in the person responsible for turning creative ideas into a practical and marketable film project, with suitable financing and artistic talent in place. Once a distributor is interested in a film, the two parties arrive at a. It is the thousands of independent filmmakers empowered by the digital. Jun 22, 2016 hopefully this gives you some insight into how film distribution works and where the industry stands in terms of distribution to theaters and home entertainment. The indie filmmakers guide to amazon film distribution.
Licensing in the realm of online streaming content is defined as the process of obtaining permission from the owner of a tv show or movie to stream its content through a service such as netflix. Finding distribution for your web series stareable. In connection with distribution deals for independent movie labels, koch media is a competent and strong partner offering great distribution competence and a marketleading distributional infrastructure. Film distribution distributing an independent movie youtube. Distribution sounds like a scary, unattainable concept, especially in context of indie web series made for budgets under five grand.
Under such a film acquisition agreement, the distributor may agree to share. 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. In addition to attending film festivals to screen or network on behalf of an independent film, a diverse array of industry professionals attend film markets. Many producers and movie makers struggle to sell their film once it is done. A customized distribution strategy enables filmmakers to make the most of festivals the first avenue of distribution, choose the. This is part of a series of book excerpts from the independent. Music industry manufacturing and distribution deals. Film financing and film distribution deals filmmaking 2. You must unveil your movie in the right place at the right time, such as a top film festival, to get the theatrical buyers to really want your feature. I hate marketing is a weekly stareable film school column where we talk about how to make marketing easier, even for those of us who hate it.
For the a2a first, its important to note that most studios do not acquire an independent film unless its for their independent arm i. It is the next evolutionary step of independent film distribution. The buyers often will accept a movie that the theater is not very interested in. One way to do this involves creating a home page that lists. Breakdown of the major online indie film distribution platforms. Beginning with an idea, or the movie rights to an existing literary property, a studio can hire a writer to create a script. To distribute a film online to a vod platform, you have two paths. Check back for updates over the course of the festival. Were compiling an ongoing list of the films screening at sundance 2015 that have closed distribution deals so far. What filmmakers need to know about indie film distribution. But not all distributors are effective in all mediums and.
How to get a record distribution deal our pastimes. Most theaters use buyers to represent them in negotiating with the distribution companies. Typically, independent filmmakers enter into multiple distribution deals. A guide to independent film distribution in the 21st. Jan 14, 2014 a customized distribution strategy enables filmmakers to make the most of festivals the first avenue of distribution, choose the best distribution partners, and negotiate winwin deals. Apr 09, 2018 as a result of internet film distribution and the inevitable demise of dvd retail distribution you can now reach a global marketplace.
At a time where we can barely predict what will be the most successful distribution model six months ahead of time, why are independent storytellers acquiescing to giving away our rights for so long. That button can then be linked to your film page on amazon. Feb 29, 2020 licensing in the realm of online streaming content is defined as the process of obtaining permission from the owner of a tv show or movie to stream its content through a service such as netflix. How to release and selfdistribute an independent film rev. We spoke to dozens of independent film distributors. If you have a great independent film or tv series that youd like us to consider for distribution, submit your film or tv series here indie rights, a subsidiary of nelson madison films, is a full service, global distributor with direct relationships to major distribution outlets. Consider these 10 essential points filmmakers need to be aware of.
The traditional route for a film seeking distribution is to enter a major international. Gone are the days when a major distributor would swoop down on your movie post sundance, toronto or cannes and offer you a universal allmedia buyout. Independent filmmakers often use film festivals as an opportunity to get the attention of distributors. The traditional system for distributing independent films is in critical condition.
With over 150 million subscribers, scoring a film distribution deal with netflix is a dream come true for indie. Again, this breakdown is meant to expose how film distribution works within the studio structure. Learn how to sell your movie to a studio, a cable network, a video distributor, or an. While some distribution deals are made midfestival, the majority of them. There are many new distribution options for the independent producer. Shapiro explained that they hired interns and had interns cold call any fire department in 25 or 50 miles of whenever that movie was screening. If you look closely, youll see that the typical term length for most distributors is 1015 years. Oct 18, 2018 the 30 best truly independent films of the 21st century. Our theatrical market pages are based on the domestic theatrical market performance only. Build an audience that appreciates your music and your performances, and you are on your way to. Its much harder for an indie film to make a profit, because of their low budgets. Hopefully this gives you some insight into how film distribution works and where the industry stands in terms of distribution to theaters and home entertainment.
Getting your film a distribution deal filmfreeway medium. The acquisition distribution agreement there are several ways to develop or produce a film. For most indie films up until the last 5 years or so, the most realistic outcome would be for a. As a result of internet film distribution and the inevitable demise of dvd retail distribution you can now reach a global marketplace. The 30 best truly independent films of the 21st century. The road to distributing your film is not as hard as you think. Apr 10, 2017 the end of independent film as we know it. Comprehensive feedback sent on each entry from our hollywood judges. Most agreements are for a percentage of the box office ticket sales. The domestic market is defined as the north american movie territory consisting of the united states, canada, puerto rico and guam. Dec, 20 before the internet paved the way for online film distribution platforms like netflix, amazon, itunes, etc. After making a number of foreign presale deals, the independent producer might have raised enough money to produce the film, while leaving open a number of unsold territories to sell to once the film is completed usually at higher fees. In fact, if i cant sell a movie to netflix, id be happy to put my movie on netflix for free. Its becoming more and more difficult to get independent films distributed whether thats in traditional movie theaters or even on cable,says tom nunan, a.
Distribution and the indie filmmaker entertainment law. Vod, and other kinds of distribution deals new coverage on crowdfunding, social media, film marketing, and deal memos. But there are still some general categories that help frame the big decisions ahead. As new distribution channels develop, new distribution companies emerge. The need for concessions how movie distribution works. I needed a distributor who understood small indie films and had a record of. This is a very common scenario especially in europe where there is a much larger independent movie making trend compared to the us.
What are the pros and cons between a major studio and. Big movies soar, as independent movie market contracts fireheart joins the select ranks of big presales hits at this years cannes film festival. A guide to independent film distribution in the 21st century film. If you do, you will not get a theatrical distribution deal, if this is what you are aiming for. I recently gave a presentation to a full house of film independent members on the secrets of negotiating distribution deals. Quite often a low budget film, will be casted with little known actors. And if you need extra help on amazon film distribution, check out the indie producers guide on how to sell your movie. Financing, shooting, and distributing independent and digital films designed to introduce filmmakers and others interested in creating content on the legal issues involved in the. Twentyfive years ago, films emerging from festivals like sundance disrupted the movie business, producing subversive filmmakers like quentin tarantino. Maximizing distribution by peter broderick first appeared in dga magazine, january 2004 today it is even harder to bring an independent movie into the world successfully than it is to make one. How to make a successful end run around the big guys. Before the internet paved the way for online film distribution platforms like netflix, amazon, itunes, etc. Awesome prizes include cash, publishing deals, film distribution, horror merchandise and more. The landscape of independent film distribution is evolving and we are doing our best to keep up with it.
In this section, we look at the pros and cons of allrights distribution deals, hybrid distribution and self distribution all from an impact perspective. We offer a full range of affordable distribution, educational, and marketing education to independent filmmakers looking to reach out to traditionally underserved audiences. Your films title, a tagline, some quotes, the trailer and a big buy now button. Financing, shooting, and distributing independent and digital films designed to introduce filmmakers and others interested in creating content on the legal issues involved in the filmmaking process. Its becoming more and more difficult to get independent films distributed whether thats in traditional movie theaters or even on cable,says tom nunan, a founder and partner of bulls eye. A guide to independent film distribution in the 21st century. Why is it then so difficult to get a distribution deal. In addition to submitting your independent film and brokering deals with the various vod platforms, aggregators also take care of. Film distribution strategies to use when financing your movie. Once a distributor is interested in a film, the two parties arrive. But not all distributors are effective in all mediums and markets. The old media includes theatrical, broadcastcable, home video.
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