The conventional wisdom is that there just isnt much short film distribution out there. Free information at for more information about selling your film or tv show to netflix, hulu, amazon or other platforms, outside of indora, email phil autelitano at phil. These work just like regular markets, there are stalls with sellers and film distribution companies browsing for a good deal. If you made your film in the us, theres no saying that it wont play well to people. We recommend that if you manage to secure a contract from a sales agent or distributor, make sure you understand it fully before signing. If the distributor and the studio have a profitsharing relationship, on the other hand, the distributor gets a percentage typically anywhere from 10 to 50 percent of the net profits made from the movie. At first we did not understand the power of modern self distribution. The changing game of distribution short of the week. 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. Short game is the first feature by helmer greenbaum after amassing a string of tv and short film credits. Up to six projects will be selected for a pitch competition, to be held in new orleans during new orleans film festival on friday, october, 2017. You have reached the secret landing page we have created for the social media capitalism for filmmakers talk.
Short films have a life in the festival circuit and are a great way to create a calling card. You know if youre going to go out to get another distributor for a traditional distribution deal but if youve got short film, if youve got a feature film sitting on the shelf doing nothing. Film is devoted to the helping independent filmmakers find distribution that makes sense for their film. Below he provides advice about how to use film festivals as a platform for your film and to land a strong distribution deal. If you want to learn all about feature film distribution, how it works, what steps to take to get it. Indie film distribution submit your film today indie. The best way to go about this is to submit your short to festivals with active film markets. As soon as your short hits the festival circuit, you can get started on your distribution strategy and begin meeting and networking with sales agents and distributors.
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. Both models can be good or bad, depending on how well a movie does at the box office. Upcoming hollyshorts deadlines early bird deadline. How to sell your movie or tv show to netflix, hulu. Key benefits of buying a short film package from discover. To assess the viability of your distribution plan, i suggest you break out a calculator and work backwards. This project is a comic book franchise and i am building a. 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. Want someone to show you how to survive and thrive in the film biz, then head.
Distribution and the indie filmmaker entertainment law. Film distribution basic guide freelance video collective. Movies do not get picked up for theatrical releases that have been sent on a dvd to a. In this case, the distributor agrees to purchase the completed films full distribution rights in exchange for a fee and an agreedupon royalty or gross participation amount. Film financing and film distribution deals filmmaking 2. Well, at short of the week, we figured the best way to provide transparency to the shorts distribution process was to talk to filmmakers who actually had their shorts get distribution deals. Here is some insight into finding the right home for your short film or video content in todays online distribution world. All you need to know about film distribution agreement. Each film has a different profile and we keep an open mind.
For short films, deals are often discussed over a casual drink and signed on the spot. In the old world of distribution, filmmakers went to festivals and hoped to get an allrights distribution deal, which had the benefit of being able to hand over the film to a specialist team who did all the legwork for them putting the film in cinemas, on tv and online. The road to distributing your film is not as hard as you think guest blog. Red flags of a movie distribution deal by mark heidelberger duration. Getting a distribution deal for your film is the aspiration for almost all filmmakers. Available for svod, theatrical and other forms of short film distribution. During the making of the film, there are many agreements that need to be signed by the producers, and one of them is a film distribution agreement. How not to negotiate a distribution deal film independent. Though short films dont have the widespread appeal of the feature film format, there is still a variety of distribution options that can help you. If you view distribution keeping my three principles in mind, and you take the correct actions, there is. Consider these 10 essential points filmmakers need to be aware of. The distribution deal was pacted with phase 4 and samuel goldwyn by josh braun of. This is part of a series of book excerpts from the independent filmmakers law and business guide. In addition to those stories, these filmmakers also provide us an unfiltered look at how they see independent film distribution.
Second, i learned that the determiner of your success is your psychology which is why i teach entrepreneurship leadership. From online distribution platforms like large short films to film clubs like. Use a short film to meet agents and managers to show what you can do. To do this, we focus on an effective distribution model that is totally filmmakerdriven, keeping filmmakers in control of their film in the marketplace. The indie filmmakers guide to amazon film distribution. Want is the value of the hbocinemax distribution deal were millions of people will see my film and be able to purchase through download that will help my dvd sells. A massive list of international distributors for your short film. A short film distributor is similar to a sales agent, and sometimes. Distributors can help you get into festivals, and make sales deals on your behalf. How to distribute your short film in todays online marketplace. Denver 48hfp filmmakers land distribution dealtuesday, july 26, 2016.
Vicky mather s liveaction stopmotion short, stanley pickle, cleaned up at festivals from 2010 to 2011. Closely related to the negative pickup arrangement is the distribution guarantee agreement. Layed out are clear stepbystep gameplans for new and traditional selfpromotion, assembling your deliverables, building a press kit, submission strategies and much more. My names curt jaimungal and i know what its like to struggle as an artist. Why i turned down distribution for my film short film. 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. This article is not a replacement for proper legal advice you probably wont need all of these. Dont automatically seek an allrights deal without first having a clear understanding of the full spectrum of distribution opportunities. 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. The standard split was called the 9010 split, though that has been. Many people wanted to take selfies with it, so it got lots of social media attention during the festival, generating buzz for the film. For example, kiwi short film maker ivan barge took the stuffed cat from madam black to the 2016 clermontferrand international short film festival where he won the peoples choice award.
If possible, only make a deal with the sales agent in territories they. A massive list of international distributors for your. These film bookers work on behalf of theater chains like amc, regal, and cinemark there are also splits between the distributor and exhibitor theater. A brief introduction about the film distribution agreement. In the past, this would more than likely be the end of your films public life, especially without a sales agent. There are many avenues for short distribution around the world. Now how this is going to affect other distribution deals i dont know. In negotiating the distribution deal, the relative bargaining power of the parties is determined by the perceived desirability of the film and how much risk each party is willing to take. If you do, you will not get a theatrical distribution deal, if this is what you are aiming for. Orchestrating the distribution deal the most important advice i can offer to filmmakers seeking distribution is dont brag about how little money you spent to make the picture before you conclude your distribution deal. With the right distribution strategy, your short film could have a long and.
But the life of a short film as a product a film distributor wants to sell is limited. Listen to my free podcasts, indie film hustle podcast on. More to the point, director jordan bayne was offered a distribution deal for the film a deal that she turned down, opting instead to release it. Learn how to get your film distributed, in under 3 months. Looking to make a film but need a little help with the paperwork. This article explores the tactics and strategies that can be used to obtain a favorable distribution deal for the indie filmmaker. We spoke to dozens of independent film distributors. The road to distributing your film is not as hard as you think. And santas blotto has gone down quite well, film london were delighted with it, i secured a distribution deal with shorts international, so its going to be on itunes, its going to be sold around the world through the short film channel dana.
Short film distributors guide raindance film festival. First, what i discovered is that there are lessons you can take from silicon valley and apply directly to film pitching marketing distribution. The survey involved 1,235 film industry professionals, all of whom have attended at least one of the three major film markets cannes, berlin or afm within the past five. For the ease of math, we are going to focus on sales and not rentals of your film.
But it can be toughthousands of films are produced every year, and very few make it to the next level. If selected, they will purchase your short and offer a 3year deal with. With so many factors to consider and different paths to go down, the new guide to short film exhibition, distribution and marketing from the random acts network is a vital resource. Moore lays out what to expect and how to prepare for it. Baynes film isnt exactly your everyday short its an oscar short listed 30 minute character drama starring big name talent oscar winner melissa leo. Weve painstakingly searched the internets and collected 588 free forms and contracts to help get you started. 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. From that deal i have investors contacting me to see my feature film business plan and tv series. So you made a short film, and it got into some festivals now what. This is the agreement which is signed by distributors and producer of the film, and it involves marketing work done by the distributor.
Based on the experience of its founders, linda nelson and. Film markets often take place during a film festival but are not necessarily part of the festival itself. How to distribute your short film in todays online. Distribution options for a short film by daniel sol youtube. These festivals attract sales agents, buyers, and distributors from around the world looking to package and program shorts for various. Indie rights, a subsidiary of nelson madison films, is a full service, global distributor with direct relationships to major distribution outlets.
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