From Scott Kirsner’s ITVS Digital Initiative: Report from the Field about the digital strategies for social issue filmmakers.
1. Make sure DVDs are available when audiences are most interested in the film: during the theatrical run, during festival screenings and at the time of the first TV broadcast.
2. Consider producing at least two versions of the DVD, at two different price points: one for general audiences and a second version for educational/group use, with discussion guides and supplemental material.
3. Carefully evaluate distribution offers that wrap up digital rights with theatrical or home video rights. What will the distributor do in the near-term to generate revenues with those rights?
4. Focus digital distribution efforts on outlets with already-established audiences (such as Apple’s iTunes or Amazon.com’s Unbox); if working with a newer outlet, negotiate for premium placement on the site and additional promotion.
5. Whether selling DVDs or digital downloads/rentals with a business partner, insist on regular reporting of sales figures and the ability to audit them.
Showing posts with label distribution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label distribution. Show all posts
05 June 2010
25 May 2010
Random Connections
A few additional resources and connections gathered while at Hot Docs:
HotDocs Library
A wealth of Canadian documentaries you can watch online. In the youth zone be sure to check out the top shorts made by youth. Plus special sections for educators (including downloadable resource packages) and an industry corner where you can see the industry sessions held at HotDocs Film Festival.
Shooting People
An international network for independent filmmakers.
Arts Engine
Connects media makers and active audiences in order to spur critical consideration of pressing social issues.
Ideas from Cinereach
An assortment of articles, panels, case studies, useful links and more.
DocAgora
An open sapce to consider new forms, new platforms, new tools and new ways of financing creative and socially engaged documentary media.
HotDocs Library
A wealth of Canadian documentaries you can watch online. In the youth zone be sure to check out the top shorts made by youth. Plus special sections for educators (including downloadable resource packages) and an industry corner where you can see the industry sessions held at HotDocs Film Festival.
Shooting People
An international network for independent filmmakers.
Arts Engine
Connects media makers and active audiences in order to spur critical consideration of pressing social issues.
Ideas from Cinereach
An assortment of articles, panels, case studies, useful links and more.
DocAgora
An open sapce to consider new forms, new platforms, new tools and new ways of financing creative and socially engaged documentary media.
List of Distributors
Some distributors of interest that we found out about while at HotDocs:
Snag Films
Interested in the power of documentary film to effect social change. They show films online internationally for free.
IndieFlix
More grassroots. They offer non-exclusive distribution for independent filmmakers through DVD sales, streaming online pay-per-view. They also have alliances and provide some titles to Joost, Hulu, Snag, Amazon VOD, Netflix, iTunes and others.
Visit Films
Distributes the best in world cinema, films made with reasonable budgets that possess commercial viability. They sell for all rights, not just theatrical or television. They come on board at the completion stage.
Cinetic Media
Offers film producers a variety of services from financing to sales representation for theatrical release and digital media distribution. Committed to grassroots marketing.
KinoSmith
Provides distribution and marketing of Canadian and international films to Canada.
Autlook Films
Based in Austria, they handle theatrical and TV sales and festivals.
Dogwoof Films
UK distributor interested in social issue films that are not necessarily easily mass marketable.
Kloos & Co
Production company and more recently getting into distribution of outstanding documentaries. Clients include Arté, ZDF, Al Jazeera, TV3. Florian Thalhofer helped start the company.
Independent Television Service
They fund, present and promote documentaries and dramas on public television and cable and innovative new media projects on the web.
Rooftop Films
Bringing films to unexpected places, getting new audiences. Their tagline: Underground movies outdoors. Supported by Cinereach.
Some other distributors to check out:
Outsider Pictures
Palm Pictures
FiGa Films
Mitropoulos Films
Music Box Films
Arts Engine
***Also, I highly recommend checking out Cinereach’s excellent list of exhibition and distribution venues.*** And another list of distributors is available at DocAgora.
Snag Films
Interested in the power of documentary film to effect social change. They show films online internationally for free.
IndieFlix
More grassroots. They offer non-exclusive distribution for independent filmmakers through DVD sales, streaming online pay-per-view. They also have alliances and provide some titles to Joost, Hulu, Snag, Amazon VOD, Netflix, iTunes and others.
Visit Films
Distributes the best in world cinema, films made with reasonable budgets that possess commercial viability. They sell for all rights, not just theatrical or television. They come on board at the completion stage.
Cinetic Media
Offers film producers a variety of services from financing to sales representation for theatrical release and digital media distribution. Committed to grassroots marketing.
KinoSmith
Provides distribution and marketing of Canadian and international films to Canada.
Autlook Films
Based in Austria, they handle theatrical and TV sales and festivals.
Dogwoof Films
UK distributor interested in social issue films that are not necessarily easily mass marketable.
Kloos & Co
Production company and more recently getting into distribution of outstanding documentaries. Clients include Arté, ZDF, Al Jazeera, TV3. Florian Thalhofer helped start the company.
Independent Television Service
They fund, present and promote documentaries and dramas on public television and cable and innovative new media projects on the web.
Rooftop Films
Bringing films to unexpected places, getting new audiences. Their tagline: Underground movies outdoors. Supported by Cinereach.
Some other distributors to check out:
Outsider Pictures
Palm Pictures
FiGa Films
Mitropoulos Films
Music Box Films
Arts Engine
***Also, I highly recommend checking out Cinereach’s excellent list of exhibition and distribution venues.*** And another list of distributors is available at DocAgora.
Distribution Now
A few notes taken during a Hot Docs industry session about distribution strategies and getting your movie seen. Watch the session.
A good distributor should and will take the time to explain how things work to filmmakers. (Robin)
You need a combination of passion and knowledge for distribution. Build up a team for distribution just like you did for the making of your film. (Peter)
Let the distributor know what your expectations and goals are. They need to know that up front. (Peter)
Get your movie out however you can. For example, check with small Film Societies around the country and show your film there. (Robin)
You need a strategy and partners. Maybe community partners. Build your audience. (Scilla)
It takes patience and persistence.
Rejection is commonplace. Do not take it personally. Do not be deterred. It often has more to do with what the distributor of festival is looking for at that time and whether it strikes a chord with the person who is reviewing it than the quality of the film.
Look at theatrical as a way to drive people to the video-on-demand. (Matt)
Currently, doing theatrical and video-on-demand at the same time is unusual. There are barriers to doing this that will probably change in the future. For example, with more mergers, it is possible the same company would be doing both theatrical and video-on-demand. (Matt)
$50,000–$75,000 for broadcast rights is decent.
For exhibitors, they’re more interested in your strategy and your numbers (audience stats, etc) than in your film. (Robin)
As you build up funders, you are building up an audience for your film ahead of time. This can also be a good selling point to potential distributors.
Read the article about the six case studies given in this industry session as covered by Indiewire.
Sandra Whipham (moderator), Director, London Fields Pictures
Scilla Andreen, CEO and Co-Founder, IndieFlix (USA)
Matt Dentler, Head of Programming, Cinetic Rights Management (USA)
Peter Jäger, Managing Director, Autlook Films (Austria)
Aida LiPera, Manager of Acquisitions and Festivals, Visit Films (USA)
Andrew Mer, VP, Content Partnerships, SnagFilms (USA)
Robin Smith, President, KinoSmith (Canada)
A good distributor should and will take the time to explain how things work to filmmakers. (Robin)
You need a combination of passion and knowledge for distribution. Build up a team for distribution just like you did for the making of your film. (Peter)
Let the distributor know what your expectations and goals are. They need to know that up front. (Peter)
Get your movie out however you can. For example, check with small Film Societies around the country and show your film there. (Robin)
You need a strategy and partners. Maybe community partners. Build your audience. (Scilla)
It takes patience and persistence.
Rejection is commonplace. Do not take it personally. Do not be deterred. It often has more to do with what the distributor of festival is looking for at that time and whether it strikes a chord with the person who is reviewing it than the quality of the film.
Look at theatrical as a way to drive people to the video-on-demand. (Matt)
Currently, doing theatrical and video-on-demand at the same time is unusual. There are barriers to doing this that will probably change in the future. For example, with more mergers, it is possible the same company would be doing both theatrical and video-on-demand. (Matt)
$50,000–$75,000 for broadcast rights is decent.
For exhibitors, they’re more interested in your strategy and your numbers (audience stats, etc) than in your film. (Robin)
As you build up funders, you are building up an audience for your film ahead of time. This can also be a good selling point to potential distributors.
Read the article about the six case studies given in this industry session as covered by Indiewire.
Sandra Whipham (moderator), Director, London Fields Pictures
Scilla Andreen, CEO and Co-Founder, IndieFlix (USA)
Matt Dentler, Head of Programming, Cinetic Rights Management (USA)
Peter Jäger, Managing Director, Autlook Films (Austria)
Aida LiPera, Manager of Acquisitions and Festivals, Visit Films (USA)
Andrew Mer, VP, Content Partnerships, SnagFilms (USA)
Robin Smith, President, KinoSmith (Canada)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)