Distributing Your Independent Film: Options and Considerations

As an independent filmmaker, you have a lot of options when it comes to distributing your film. There are traditional routes, such as going through a distributor or selling your film to a television network. But with the advent of digital technology, there are now many more options available to you. You can distribute your film online through platforms like iTunes, Amazon, and Vimeo, or you can release it yourself through a self-distribution platform like Seed Spark or Distribber. You can even screen your film at festivals and other events.

The key is to figure out what distribution method makes the most sense for your film and your goals. Do you want to make money? Get exposure? Win awards? All of the above? Once you know what you want, you can start to investigate your options and figure out the best way to make it happen.

There are a few things to keep in mind as you’re considering your distribution options:

• Your film might not be ready for distribution. If you’re still in the process of making your film, you’ll need to finish it first. That means completing post-production, which includes tasks like editing, color correction, and sound design. If you’re not sure if your film is ready for distribution, you can always submit it to festivals or other events and see how it fares.
• You need to have the rights to your film. Before you can distribute your film, you need to make sure that you have the legal right to do so. That means securing the rights to any music or footage that you’ve used in your film and getting permission from any people who appear in your film. If you don’t have the rights to your film, you could be sued, and your film could be taken down from distribution platforms.
• You need to market your film. Even if you have the best film in the world, no one will see it if you don’t market it effectively. You’ll need to come up with a marketing plan and budget, and you’ll need to make sure that you’re reaching your target audience. If you’re not sure how to market your film, there are plenty of resources available online, including articles, books, and e-courses.

Options for Distributing Your Independent Film:

1. Traditional Distribution:

The traditional route is to find a distributor who will release your film theatrically, on DVD/Blu-ray, and/or on digital platforms like iTunes and Amazon. This option is best if you’re looking to make money from your film and/or get exposure for your work. Keep in mind that it can be difficult to find a distributor, and even if you do, you’ll likely have to give up a large percentage of the profits.

2. Television:

If you’re looking for exposure, selling your film to a television network is a good option. You can sell it to a cable network or a streaming platform like Netflix or Hulu. The downside of this option is that you probably won’t make as much money as you would if you sold it to a theatrical distributor.

3. Online Distribution:

With the advent of digital technology, there are now many more options for distributing your film online. You can upload it to platforms like iTunes, Amazon, and Vimeo, or you can release it yourself through a self-distribution platform like Seed Spark or Distribber. You can even screen your film at festivals and other events. The key is to figure out what distribution method makes the most sense for your film and your goals.

4. Self-Distribution:

If you’re looking to retain control of your film and maximize your profits, self-distribution is a good option. There are several self-distribution platforms available, such as Seed Spark and Distribber. With this option, you’ll need to do your own marketing and promotion, but you’ll keep all of the profits.

5. Festivals:

Screening your film at festivals is a good way to get exposure and build buzz for your work. It can also be a good way to sell your film, as many distributors attend festivals in search of new films to acquire. The downside of this option is that it can be expensive to submit your film to festivals, and there’s no guarantee that it will be accepted.

Conclusion:

As you can see, there are many options for distributing your independent film. The key is to figure out what distribution method makes the most sense for your film and your goals. If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of resources available online, including articles, books, and e-courses.