I have seen youtubers such as emily diane ruth who sold her short film the waters fine via gumroad. May 28, 2014 while a feature film producer would expect to be there from development through distribution, a short film producer may see their role as limited to getting you through production or postproduction. With the right distribution strategy, your short film could have a long and surprisingly prosperous life after its festival run. Promotional video for the mixtape the marketing strategy by ac kato drops march 25th 2017. Boasts the worlds largest catalog of short films online. Jan 24, 2018 key benefits of buying a short film package from discover. Successful filmmakers and by that i mean filmmakers who successfully recoup their budget and repay investors, are the ones who develop a distribution strategy before they embark on the filmmaking process, and sometimes before they write the script.
Now its the perfect time to start preparing the international distribution strategy for your short film. If you want your producers to be involved in marketing, address your expectations at the hiring stage and be sure they understand you are looking. Apr 19, 2018 with so many factors to consider and different paths to go down, the new guide to short film exhibition, distribution and marketing from the random acts network is a vital resource. Want someone to show you how to survive and thrive in the film biz, then head. Quickhunts is a short film distribution project that distributes your valuable short film asset to a vettedverified audience nielsen rated on sportsman channel 5x per week. Gaining this awareness will be achieved through the festival kit, stunts, and guerilla tactics.
Film is devoted to the helping independent filmmakers find distribution that makes sense for their film. Capitalising on the publicity and buzz of a festival can help you secure a better deal. Visit them at a few years ago we released our short film online and shared the tactics behind the strategy we used to get views and industry attention in one. A distribution strategy for filmmakers who want to selfdistribute after their. Running time between 5 and 20, fiction films and animated films, must be subtitled in english, broadcast via satellite in israel and palestine.
Available for svod, theatrical and other forms of short film distribution. Traditionally these were the only way for your independent films to be seen by the public. The current state of independent film distribution is complex and evershifting. On january 29th, my facebook feed blew up with posts about a short film that s right, a short film. Here is the ultimate guide to distributing a short film on. How to distribute your short film in todays online. Here is some insight into finding the right home for your short film or video content in todays online distribution world. In this paper, distribution strategy critically discussed besides evaluating how it used in consumer market. Mar 27, 2017 to make sure you dont forget about distribution or just put your project up for free as an afterthought, ive put together the ultimate guide for short film though you can distribute featurelength films on these as well distribution. As creatives, we often think our job finishes once our film is edited but far from it, i have only just started to learn how important marketing your film actually is. A short film distributor is similar to a sales agent, and sometimes they both do the same thing. Upload the film early monday morning 12am est to give.
It has a stronger filmmaking community than youtube which may hit more viewers, but vimeo will attract the right viewersthose more likely to pass it on to others. We can provide files to match the specifications of a range of infotainment systems. First, what i discovered is that there are lessons you can take from silicon valley and apply directly to film pitching marketing distribution. As a result of internet film distribution and the inevitable demise of dvd retail distribution you can now reach a global marketplace. Were going to take a look at all kinds of issues from online distribution and thirdparty film licensing to digital series and short form funding. Its a short the content on this site is organized by genre channels. If you know someone seeking film distribution, you might also want to check out my sell your movie system. If youve made a great film, and plan the right sales and. The following article is crossposted with, short of the week, a new kind of film festival aimed at discovering the next wave of emerging filmmakers crafting stories for online audiences. Raindance aims to promote and support independent filmmaking and filmmakers.
So you made a short film, and it got into some festivals now what. How to distribute your short film in todays online marketplace. A massive list of international distributors for your short film. While a feature film producer would expect to be there from development through distribution, a short film producer may see their role as limited to getting you through production or postproduction. Mar 15, 2017 promotional video for the mixtape the marketing strategy by ac kato drops march 25th 2017. Confusingly, the names are often used interchangeably in the industry. A massive list of international distributors for your. Id love to see more distributors take a chance on innovation.
Heres the distribution strategy you need before sundance or any film festival. Moore lays out what to expect and how to prepare for it. With so many factors to consider and different paths to go down, the new guide to short film exhibition, distribution and marketing from the random acts network is a vital resource. The film business plan template is a stepbystep guide enabling you to understand your film as a business proposition to film investors. Smart strategies to get your indie film seen lights film school. Jul 18, 2018 the following article is crossposted with, short of the week, a new kind of film festival aimed at discovering the next wave of emerging filmmakers crafting stories for online audiences. In the past, this would more than likely be the end of your films public life, especially without a sales agent. The book is like having a oneonone meeting with every go to person in the world of short films today.
To make sure you dont forget about distribution or just put your project up for free as an afterthought, ive put together the ultimate guide for short film though you can distribute featurelength films on these as well distribution. An extensive pdf covering festival strategies, distribution plans and how to prepare for your online release, exposure is a comprehensive manual for filmmakers looking to find an audience for their work. The final piece of your short film business plan is your release strategy. Lights online film school recently had the opportunity to chat with indie filmmaker ryan patch about his distribution and festival experiences. As soon as your short hits the festival circuit, you can get started on your distribution strategy and begin meeting and networking with sales agents and distributors. Exposure distribution guide launched short of the week. Cutup short film distribution consulting festival strategy film festival strategy within a click. A customized distribution strategy enables filmmakers to make the most of festivals the first avenue of distribution, choose the best distribution partners, and negotiate winwin deals. You receive monthly lists of festivals really worth submitting to, specific for your film. Again, youre making shorts to gain experience, build connections, and get people to notice you. Filmmakers need to get a good, rocksolid understanding of how film distribution works. Distribution strategy designs the entire approach for availability of the offering starting taking inputs from what the company communicated in marketing campaigns to what target audience is to be served. Apr 09, 2018 as a result of internet film distribution and the inevitable demise of dvd retail distribution you can now reach a global marketplace. A sales agent is your best friend securing a contract with an established sales agency is crucial to making money from your short film.
The conventional wisdom is that there just isnt much short film distribution out there. Although we are always talking about film distribution also, marketing is an essential part of this process, the marketing strategy is what will define the movie and people will look for, will want to know more about it and would like to see the film wherever it is present. Short films have a life in the festival circuit and are a great way to create a calling card. Distribution strategy definition, importance, types. Best film business plan template sample, financials. The film festival strategy is very important to the overall success of this film. With so many factors to consider and different paths to go down, the new guide to short film exhibition, distribution and marketing from the.
To create the best festival lists for our clients, we developed a smart algorithm to match films with our exclusive database of festivals, from alist to genre. If youve made a great film, and plan the right sales and distribution strategy, you have a shot at making some if not all of your money back. In this paper, distribution strategy critically discussed besides evaluating how it. When it comes to the cost of engaging a sales agent, there are usually no upfront fees, however, you should expect to give 30% to 50% of the licensing fees to the agent as they will need to recoup the costs associated with marketing and selling your film. Distribution strategy focuses on various factors, which encompass.
From ismael martins blog may 02, 2017 when you begin planning your festival career, one of the first references is always the alist festivals and the months of june and july include 4 big open calls at the same time, all of whom. The problem is your brands roi is not acceptable as this amazing short film has only a few thousand views. Choosing the right strategy, however, depends entirely on your goals. Short film distribution is a niche market and its better to work with someone who knows the lay of the land and has strong connections.
Alist film festivals to start preparing the international. This is a broad overview of a 12 week movie marketing plan that you can implement for your next title. Youve spent months, if not years, producing your documentary, and now its time to market and promote the film. Layed out are clear stepbystep gameplans for new and traditional selfpromotion, assembling your deliverables, building a press kit, submission strategies and much more. The ultimate guide to short film distribution platforms in. The site doesnt pay to acquire content, but in some cases will link to an outlet i. Use a short film to meet agents and managers to show what you can do. Second, i learned that the determiner of your success is your psychology which is why i teach entrepreneurship leadership. The changing game of distribution short of the week.
Listen to my free podcasts, indie film hustle podcast on. Pink eyes distribution is a company specialized in the promotion and distribution of short films and feature films in cinema festivals all over the world. When we released our first feature on amazon and started making sales, it was hard to believe we could do so without a traditional film distribution deal. Most filmmakers make their shorts without much thought for distribution. Visit them at a few years ago we released our short film online and shared the tactics behind the strategy we used to get views and industry attention in one of our most popular articles. If your short is a proofofconcept for a feature, then youll want to get it in front of as many producers and wellconnected industry folks as. The core concept of the piece is be everywhere all at once, a strategy that advises to distribute a film on as many different online platforms as. Smart strategies to get your indie film seen lights film. Below is a rundown of a recent talk given at idfa by indie film distribution guru and strategist peter broderick, as reported by our staff member, carol ann short. Ideas for promoting and marketing documentaries your business. We walk you through the nuts and bolts of your project so you present the investment opportunity in the best. Jun 05, 2017 preselling territorial distribution rights typically involves the producer or a sales agent attending the major international film markets, such as the marche du film cannes, france, miptv and mipcom cannes, mifed italy, european film market berlin, hong kong film and television market, toronto film festival tiff canada and the. The best way to go about this is to submit your short to festivals with active film markets. A company can decide whether it wants to serve the product.
How will you bring your film to the attention of your target market. Distribution strategy essay sample new york essays. This is very important because it is going to decide the life of your short film and its possibilities of distribution, due to the fact. From new and emerging to industry pros, raindance connects, trains, supports, and promotes visual storytellers through every step of their career. Distribution strategy many faces is a psychological thriller targeted toward a very specfic audience. Apr 22, 2019 film festivals are still the main distribution route for filmmakers. Jan 14, 2014 every film can benefit from having a distribution strategy before its festival premiere and before any rights are sold. He covers two awardwinning short films and one feature length documentary. Key benefits of buying a short film package from discover. Film distribution strategies to use when financing your movie. Ideas for promoting and marketing documentaries your. How to create a movie marketing plan without going crazy.
A complete walkthrough of the video and film distribution process, and how. Whats the best launch strategy for an independent short film. It usually also includes determining a marketing strategy. Amazon, itunes where your piece is available for rentpurchase. Think about how do i get the most people to see this film, then follow that. When your film is premiering at a festival, have a wider sales and distribution strategy ready to go as soon as the festival ends. A customized strategy can help you maximize audience, revenues, impact, and.
In the past, many documentary makers relied on the major studios for distribution, financing and marketing. The objectives are to gain awareness and support from consumers while demonstrating the value of no good deed to potential distributers. We spoke to dozens of independent film distributors. Film festivals are still the main distribution route for filmmakers. Here is the ultimate guide to distributing a short film on the. May 24, 2018 here is some insight into finding the right home for your short film or video content in todays online distribution world. The ultimate guide to short film distribution platforms.
Dec 01, 2015 as creatives, we often think our job finishes once our film is edited but far from it, i have only just started to learn how important marketing your film actually is. Disney kicked off a decidedly unusual trend when it released. Marketing your short film beginners filmmaking youtube. The key to choosing a platform is deciding what is best for your film. How to write a 4part film business plan that gets you funding. How to selfdistribute a short film online show me shorts film festival.
As weve discussed in the past, conventional wisdom about distributing a short film on the internet is to keep a film offline until its festival run is completed. This list provides a range of options for different types of distribution strategy. My names curt jaimungal and i know what its like to struggle as an artist. Were going to take a look at all kinds of issues from online distribution and thirdparty film licensing to digital series and shortform funding. A lifesaving guide to short film distribution for help in navigating these new distribution channels and found answers to everything. To do this, we focus on an effective distribution model that is totally filmmakerdriven, keeping filmmakers in control of their film in the marketplace. These festivals attract sales agents, buyers, and distributors from around the world looking to. If youve been looking for a guide on what to do with your short film once its completed then random acts north might have just released the document for you. Distribution strategy is a strategy or a plan to make a product or a service available to the target customers. Film festivals, the internet, and self promotion, mr. Brand strategy the problem the solution quick hunts. Mar 19, 2019 with the right distribution strategy, your short film could have a long and surprisingly prosperous life after its festival run. Every film can benefit from having a distribution strategy before its festival premiere and before any rights are sold.
Network ireland television is to get your film seen, so in addition to selling your film they might help get your film into festivals. You may think its not possible to make money out of your short film, but it can be done. Learn how to get your film distributed, in under 3 months. A win at a major film festival cannes, berlin, sundance, toronto, venice can lead to a distribution deal from a wellknown production company. In your opinion, what is the key to a successful distribution strategy. The sheol express, the offering, and the sea in between, respectively.
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