Distribution : How to get accepted by Distributors by Mike Fox

Two basic things that distributors ask: is it commercial? And is it marketable? Concepts can, and do, sell. Quality of the production is a must. Talent can definitely help sell it as a distributor can advertise, "Jane Doe, from "_______", in a new, exciting role. What do you have that's attractive to distributors?

This was a particularly good blog on distribution - https://www.stage32.com/blog/How-I-Got-Distribution-on-a-Film-with-No-Pr...

Thanks, Karen. Same thing on this. It's more of an "inspirational testimony" showing off his success. Only one paragraph in his entire article said any specifics on "what" or "how" he got distributors. Again, it's the same thing - One someone gets "in" I'm finding more and more those that simply do not share the help or steps on what to do to get a distributor. :)

Thanks, though! \o/

I've been involved with distribution for many years as a producer, director, and production consultant. Distributors are interested in mainly two things: what's the genre along with a short description of the story; and who's in it (starring cast). Also appearing in a major film festival is of course a BIG leg up.

Thanks, DG. We pretty much have all that down, including the high capacity for the need, as well as super immense organic results from our sitcom, as well as the feature film I'm in post production about. From what we've gathered, that may very well be a normal part, but it has also seemed that you must know someone to help you through the door. So many "voices" are banging at the doors of distributors, they are narrowing who they even listen to. Unfortunately, being in lil' old Delaware, as a small family unit, we are not very well acquainted with those that seem to literally "run" with the big boys that continually have distribution deals. :(

Thanks so much for that, Dg Brock! Also, congrats on your recent film - how cool is it that you are working with Alison Brie! I'm so sorry to hear about Olympia, though.

Hi Mike, the genre, the script and also cast and director, are of course important. As already mentioned, it is all about the commercial value and how sellable the project is. And to get to the right people for distribution, it is essential to network and know people! As sometimes there is confusion on terminology, is your focus at this moment a domestic distributor, foreign distribution or rather a sales agent, who can shop you project to distributors?

It's all about the cast. Then the director.

Thanks, David. Great question. Yes, I would say domestic distributor. I know so many who somehow easily got their projects through a distributor on the major players such as Netfilx, Tubi, Hulu, Prime, etc. But, on your other note about sales agent, that's the first I've heard of that. Unsure how that works, but if someone could actually fill that role, that would make things easier for all involved. :) I'm a creative person, not a sales or logistics person lol. Me and my family have done EVERYTHING we can think of within reason and affordability to network, rub shoulders and invest tons of ourselves into finding people. Thanks for your help.