The landscape of distribution has shifted dramatically, forcing filmmakers, producers and foreign sales agents to adapt to those changes. With the rise of streaming, there are more ways than ever to get your project out to the viewing public, whether in theaters or right in their home. More distributors are looking to acquire films to put in the marketplace, but how does the pricing look and how will that shift over time? We will examine the current distribution marketplace and how to best take advantage of the multiple avenues of distribution both domestically and internationally.

While there are more places than ever to go to for distribution, there’s also more competition for your project to be noticed by distributors and, once distributed, for viewers to decide to watch your film over the other thousands at their fingertips. It can be difficult for filmmakers and producers to know what different distributors and paths of distribution are best for each project, and which deals are more likely to garner a profit. But with a working knowledge of both the domestic and the foreign distribution market, you can find the best home for your feature.

Tiffany Boyle is the President of Packaging and Sales for Ramo Law. Tiffany has helped hundreds of films, TV shows and documentaries come to fruition. Tiffany served as a Co-Executive Producer and brought in financing for films SOMETHING ELSE (Tribeca 2019) and ARKANSAS starring Liam Hemsworth and Vince Vaughn. She led the sales and packaging for TRAGEDY GIRLS (SXSW 2017) and FREAKS (Toronto IFF 2018), she brought foreign financing to ASHES IN THE SNOW (Los Angeles FF 2018) starring Bel Powley, and she sold an autobiography to Hulu for development into a limited television series.

Tiffany will go over different distribution avenues - theatrical, VOD, DVD, etc. and what distributors are looking for. She'll break down the difference between distributors and sales agents and what types of projects will fit their slate. You'll get a complete overview of the marketplace - both domestic and foreign and understand what it will take to get your film to the right distributor. You'll learn to harness the power of festival screenings, social media and other campaigns to put your film in the best position. You'll also learn how to make the deal in terms of territory, term, delivery, fees, rights, licensing vs. reserved and more. You'll also get insight into recoupment and profit.

Praise for Tiffany's previous Stage 32 webinars:

"Excellent discussion by Tiffany! It shows that she's right in the middle of the film business and understands what's happening. Refreshing not to hear the same old basic information you hear everywhere. This was detailed."

- Michael H. 

"Excellent presentation by a clearly passionate expert. More, more, more."

- Alexis D.

"Very clear and helpful - so much detail!"

- Sil V.

"Tiffany was gracious and helpful with good energy. Plus she offered so much encouragement, practical advice and incredible energy."

- Cynthia D.

Distribution Basics

• Different distribution avenues: theaters, VOD, DVD, etc.
• What distributors are looking for

Different Types of Distributors

• Distributors vs sales agents
• Different distributors are interested in different projects to fit their slate: genre, budget, talent

Domestic Marketplace

• Understanding current domestic trends

Foreign Marketplace

• Understanding foreign trends and markets
• Foreign sales agents

Getting Your Film to Different Distributors

• Initial distributor exposure via film festivals and markets such as Sundance, TIFF, Cannes, etc.
• Creating public interest via festival screenings, social media, and other campaigns
• Utilizing prior distribution connections and making new ones

Making the Deal

• Understanding the terms: territory, term, delivery, fees, rights: licensing vs reserved, etc.
• How to distinguish a good deal from a bad deal
• What else should you be looking for in a deal?

Your Film Has a Distribution Deal; Now What?

• Recoupment & profit
• Maintaining distribution contacts
• Other benefits of distribution deals

Q&A with Tiffany

All levels of producers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn about domestic and international distribution. 

All levels of filmmakers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn about domestic and international distribution.

All levels of financiers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn about domestic and international distribution.

All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to expand their marketplace knowledge. 

Actors who want to take control of their careers by making an independent film and who want to learn about distribution.