I've come across a couple folks here who have expressed their concern for bucking traditional paths to distribution. Fear not the mighty God's of Hollywood. Rather than give a dissertation self distribution, I'm going to state points that some of you may not be aware of. Let's consider this a test on your ability to critically think your way past the 4 walls of film festival.
If you're an Indie Filmmaker, you are at the mercy of a person sitting in a cubical who is selecting Titles from thousands of submissions to screen in their Festival. If you are lucky, someone from a screening committee will notice your film and give it a thumbs up. Then you get passed on to another guy/gal in a cubical who puts your Title on a list for consideration and they continue to dwindle down the list until they have X amount of films to meet their Programming needs.
This is NOT to say any of the films are not qualified or good enough. They are all important. They are all full of love, sweat, financial burdens and have important stories etc.
What they don't tell you is 10 - 20 titles are preselected per year and go from one festival to another. They're the "hot" movies of the year. These titles go on to their "festival run" and will pick up some form of "standard distribution." What they don't tell you is the other 50 - 150 films (depending on the size of the festival) are basically fillers for their programming and know they won't be among the 10 - 20 preselected Titles that obtain some form of recognition. I've watched it happen over the past 20+ years of my festival experience in the Tech Dept. I got to see each title get passed on and passed over!!
Sadly, some of you who have really great movies with compelling stories are still hesitant on taking control of your own destiny. I'm not sure why you feel that way. Frankly speaking, you've had the balls to attempt a huge undertaking of making a film. You made it happen and worked through all the hurdles that stood in your way. Are you telling me now you're going to lay down and give up because someone in a cubical was using you? Forget that!
The technology today is ultra amazing and it's there at your fingertips for the asking. Take control over your destiny and the path to success. Research the opportunities of self distribution, it's much easier and less complicated than you think. The hardest thing you'd need to do is create your social media page with you already have. You're already 1/2 way there. Take that last step and do something good for yourself and your film.
For the money you spend on submissions to Festival you could pay your only out of pocket expense by listing your film on a streaming platform and start generating revenue. IF it's the significance of having a Laurel on your packaging, I'll send you one myself!
In 5 years (or less) we'll look back on this time and say "Thank God I took control!"
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Wow, thank you for sharing such an inspiring story! I would totally agree - don't let a lack of traditional distribution prevent you from making your project. I adore how Issa Rae originally distributed The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl online and how it garnered an audience to take the next steps possible. Just fantastic what you can accomplish when you find a way on your own!
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Thanks Sam, for sharing. There are indeed multiple options for distribution, including self distribution. Technology and Social Media can open new doors. No need to bet on one horse only.
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This message is truly Heaven sent! Thank you Mr. Szylwin.
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So Doc, what's your perspective on self distribution? Your backstory is quite interesting, you have to appreciate divine intervention! Are you interested in self distribution or do you just believe it's the path to the future?
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David, it seems more filmmakers are not sure of themselves and/or deviating from the standard path for distribution is uncomfortable for them. I'm not sure what the issue is? For all of the requests we get for information, most back off because "it's new." In actuality it's not new, it's just not Apple or the like. But it's exactly the same and you don't get lost amidst 10000 titles! It's a viable solution. A shift in the way self distribution is performed and executed could change everything for the better. It's easier than most Indies think and could be much more rewarding in the long run.
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Sam I inboxed you brother.
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Sam, I'm glad your here. I would like for you to take some time out of your busy schedule to read my saga I've created called" Warriors of MA". I know it will be a smash hit, if I can get the right people behind it to see the vision. Check it out on my profile, and (if you're interested) send me message at OpenArk.Ent@Gmail.com. Would love to work with anyone who can see the great opportunity. Thank you, James Lytle
I hear you self distribution certainly does sound much better than waiting around for someone to notice...
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Hey Solange, Yes we've seen too many disappointed Indies over the years. It's time for filmmakers to take control and have an option on how to steer into the future.
So where do you recommend starting your self distribution journey?
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Sorry for the radio silence Solange & James. My deepest apologies.
We have a streaming platform and recently opened it up to Indie Filmmakers. Prior to, we were holding film festivals during the pandemic. We wanted to keep Indie film alive!
Self distribution is a journey and something you really have to want. A big part of the journey is for you to promote your film. We will cross promote you but it's really up to you too by setting up social media accounts across all the platforms. You need to hit social media hard and a couple of times a week. You should also target Internationally. YouTube - Trailer . Facebook & Instagram are connected so you can share the posts there. LinkedIn is a separate issue. If your film is kid friendly you can hit TikTok or Snapchat.
We can give you a platform and some traffic through our subscribers but you need to generate a buzz as well. Self distribution takes some work regardless of where you park your content for rent.
A filmmaker, who is in this thread, has started his journey with us on our streaming platform about 2 weeks ago. The film's topic is relevant to life and has an enormous potential for success and to reach people with the film's message.
Have your films been on the festival circuit? I see no point in putting a film on the shelf because a festival run is over. The world needs Indie film and their stories.
If either of you want more info you can visit filmhighway.com/indie for info and you can always email me. Streaming can be found at filmhighway.net. To search some available titles click on browse in the navigation. We also have apps available on Amazon, AmazonFire, AppleTV, Roku, Google and all iOS and Android mobile or tablet devices. You can also rent your content around the world if you so choose. Why limit your capacity?
Do you have numbers you can share that make a business case for self-distribution?
This was plenty helpful. Thank you
Sam - From a marketing perspective trying to get people to sign up for a subscription to an un-proven streaming service will be an incredibly tough sell. Your best chance for success would be through selling Film Highway as an a la carte service, and touting that as one of its benefits. Subscriptions need to be a long-term goal to achieve after the service has sufficiently proven itself to customers.
Richard, everything in life is unproven until it's not. I'm glad I don't think in negatives.
Film Highway is an a la carte platform. Users have an option to rent a film directly from an Indie Filmmaker. They can also subscribe and watch available content included within the subscription option. We give Indie creatives an opportunity of selling direct to consumers and my colleagues and I want to pay it forward.
I'm tired of seeing great films get overlooked during a festival run, there are so many great films entered into the mix annually. I see roughly 2000-2250 Indie films a year that my other company encodes for exhibition. Maybe 8 get picked up, the odds are not spectacular.
Six degrees of separation... Social media makes connecting with others a viable solution for cross promotion and an otherwise untapped marketing opportunity. We are doing this for Indies, not for us. We've already achieved many goals we set out to do in life. We want to offer Indie creatives options on generating their own revenue and having a life past the 4 walls of a festival. I do agree with a long term goal of having a nice subscription base.
The tides are turning and the old model is being built upon. The evolution is upon us.
Ami, self distribution (outside of iTunes) is un-chartered territory. We are the first platform where a "group" of filmmakers can individually sell. The person who came on board (who's in this thread) had 12 sales in 5 days. I cannot disclose other info that isn't mine to share. I think Vimeo allows sales? However it's hunt and peck, there is not a page for a list of all films for rent. We believe there is strength in numbers. Somebody might watch another title and see yours and decide to rent it. I've been told there are others but I've never seen them. We started out hosting festivals and decided to open it up to Indie creatives. I guess it depends on how you look at life, whether you believe in your story and how much effort do you want to put into it.
Sam, my friend as always. Your sell and pitch for indie filmmakers to take control of our own destiny is always phenomenal. I would like to give you reinforcements and evidence to support your Heaven sent reasons for Blessing us with this thing that GOD has Blessed us all with called, "CHOICE."
Respectfully, Ami, Richard, Ntando, and ALL who have a strong desire to WIN. Let me explain to you all why filmhighway is the best choice. I went with Sam's filmhighway for this simple reason, "CHOICES." Filmhighway gives you the "CHOICE" to lock yourself into a deal that you have total control over like; How long you want to be under contract for, the price you want to sell your film for, if you want your deal to be "Exclusive, or Non-Exclusive" and you get to keep 100% of the content that you created.
I personally know so many indie filmmakers that wish they had one of those "CHOICES." Rather one wants to admit it or not. And it doesn't matter what industry you work in, in this World. We ALL want control over anything that we created. We ALL Prayed for some type of "CHOICE." GOD sees, and hears ALL, and has answered through filmhighway.
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Great thread @Sam. Rome is burning and total leverage being taken away from studios. Never before has there been so much opportunity for self distribution or publicity. The only thing in the way is learning the ropes. I hope this thread carries on so artists can learn more.