How to Find Distribution for Your Independent Film

Many creatives prefer to stay in their singular field. Writers write. Directors direct. Actors act. And so on. It takes a lot to make a movie, and even more to get it seen. Creatives, especially writers, must understand what it takes to get their film to the big screen. The more you learn about independent distribution, the more involved you become, allowing you to play a larger role in making and releasing your project.

The traditional film distribution process is changing as studios focus more on big intellectual properties (IPs) or potential franchises. However, audiences have proven repeatedly that they’re open to other kinds of films—they need to know where to find them

Part of writing is knowing who you’re writing your script for and where they go for entertainment. Now, with so much change happening in the industry, it’s vital to understand the distribution process. If you’re producing a project independently, you have several avenues available for distribution. Let’s take a look at what they are…

Know Your Platforms

Releasing a film is more than getting a theatrical release today. There are several options available and you can utilize any combination, depending on your goals.

Theatrical Release

Theatrical release is largely what we think of when it comes to distribution. Releasing an independent film can bring more attention to your project and allow you to be considered during awards season. There can be great exposure for your project, too, depending on how many theaters showing your film.

The downside is that you might not receive as much profit since it’s expensive to release and market a film in theaters.

Streaming Platforms

This is likely what you had in mind after a theatrical release. Streamers like Netflix, Amazon, Max, etc. need new content to fill their libraries and draw in viewers. It will give you the widest range of people who can watch your films, and who doesn’t want to be able to say they have a film on Netflix?

It’s important to remember here that, as we saw with the Writers’ Strikes last year, revenue and residuals might be as high as more traditional distribution options.

Also, when releasing an independent film theatrically in different territories, you may want to consider deals with streamers. If you’re not working with a studio, you can make a deal with any streamer instead of releasing your content on the studio’s in-house platform.

Video On-Demand

These platforms can be found in your cable listings and through streamers like Amazon Prime. Any time a viewer pays to rent or own your project through one of these platforms, you’re paid a profit. So this can be a much more lucrative option with the right marketing or if you have a notable person attached to your project.

Without marketing or casting, it can be difficult to make the audiences flipping through stop and choose your film over the countless others available to them.

Television Release

Think of the low-budget films you see on traditional television and cable. They might not get the same critical acclaim that a theatrical release, but this is an option that can include more profit. It’s important to keep in mind that television includes broadcast standards that have to be met and more competition.

DVDs

Yes, they do still exist. Producing a DVD can eat into your budget, but plenty of people still consume media via DVDs.

Territories

While you’re looking at platforms, it’s also crucial to take a beat and consider territories in your plans. While major studios can release a film all over the world, independent films may require you to make deals with individual countries or territories to release your film theatrically.

Streamers also have their own rules regarding which projects will appear in different territory libraries.

How Do You Get Distribution?

So now that you know which platforms are right for you, how do you get distribution?

Film Festivals

This is a well-known route. By taking your project to a festival, you can screen it for executives and audiences, building momentum for it. If the audience responds well, a streamer or studio might offer to distribute your project in theaters or on their online platforms.

In 2020, the rom-com Palm Springs set a new record at Sundance when indie distributor Neon and streamer Hulu bought the distribution rights for the film.

Film Markets

Like film festivals, film markets like AFM and Berline allow filmmakers to meet executives, including distributors and sales agents. It’s through these connections that filmmakers find distribution deals and agents who can represent their projects.

Film Distribution Companies

Many independent filmmakers team up with film distribution companies specializing in this area. A partnership gives your project access to the company’s networking and up-to-date industry knowledge so they’ll know the best platforms and marketing strategies.

Sales Agents

Like actors, writers, and directors have agents, so can film projects. These people work as representatives for the filmmakers and work to find them a great distribution deal.

In the previously mentioned sale of Palm Springs, the indie film was represented by UTA Independent Film Group in the negotiations. If you or someone else in your production has agency representation, looking to see if that agency reps films in sales would be a great first step in your path to distribution.

Aggregators

Another option is an “aggregator,” which is a company that will represent you and make deals with different streamers. They’ll also ensure your project is properly delivered as different platforms have different specifications.

An aggregator offers their services for hire, with costs depending on the number of deals they handle, while a sales agent takes a cut of the distribution deal.

Four-Walling/Self-Release

Lastly, if you’re making an independent film and don’t want to bring on more people to help you make deals, you can also deal directly with a theater and show your film. This is four-walling. This allows your project to still be up for awards consideration if you’d like (so long as it meets the different awards shows’ criteria).

You can also release your film to audiences all on your own anytime but putting it online on YouTube, Vimeo, Prime Video Direct, etc. Prime Video Direct would allow you to monetize with views quickly, whereas YouTube has its own rules for when a channel can monetize. YouTube and Vimeo are also great options if you simply want to release your project when you’re not concerned with turning a profit.

A man in a yellow sweater watching a movie theater

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There are many paths to distribution, it’s also important to always be wary of scams. Do your research and educate yourself on the people and companies you’re considering working with as well as the process. The more you know the more you’ll benefit when you’re ready to distribute your independent film.