Distribution

From film festival strategies to theatrical to VOD to online options to finding and securing a sales agent the place to discuss, share content and offer tips and advice on all things related to the distribution process

Maurice Vaughan
It's Time For Our Cannes 2024 Recap!

2024 was Stage 32’s 11th year on La Croisette at the Cannes Film Festival and our 8th year as an official education partner of Cannes Marché du Film! Stage 32 members screened their films and closed big deals. Stage 32 members also attended and hosted panels.

Check out the recap in today’s blog and k...

Expand post

Sam Sokolow
Tubi is on a roll

While Netflix, Amazon, Apple & Disney tend to garner a ton of attention, there are platforms doing well and creating more opportunities, I found this interesting. Tubi is performing well and more original programming should be on the horizon. Do you watch Tubi and, if so, what are you watching? http...

Expand post

Mark Deuce

I need to check them out Sam Sokolow

Maurice Vaughan

I have Tubi, Sam Sokolow. I'm not watching anything on it right now, but some of the indie movies on my Tubi watch list are by Stage 32 members.

Pat Alexander
Tubi outperformed Disney+, Peacock, and Max last month

Tubi topped Disney for viewers in May, indicating (again) that "people still like watching TV in traditional modes" -- the last part of which is a pretty blatant misreading of the trend. I think what people like about Tubi is simply that it's free, has a quality library, including a lot of deep cuts...

Expand post

Pat Alexander

M LaVoie i agree and i feel like whatever program they use to determine ad breaks works really well and you're not getting cut off in the middle of a key scene or sequence like i've had happen on hulu...

Expand comment
Ashley Renee Smith

I agree, Pat Alexander! It feels like the ads fall at more natural points. Whereas other platforms are so awkward and disruptive with them.

Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg

YouTube outperformed them all, combined.

Richard "RB" Botto
More Positive Signs for Theatrical

Indie box office rocked this weekend with 2 original screenplays leading the way.

https://deadline.com/2024/06/indie-film-box-office-thelma-kinds-of-kindn......

Expand post

'Thelma' Blasts Off, 'Kinds Of Kindness' Rocks Year's Best Limited Opening In Big Indie Weekend - Specialty Box Office
'Thelma' Blasts Off, 'Kinds Of Kindness' Rocks Year's Best Limited Opening In Big Indie Weekend - Specialty Box Office
The indie film box office roared to life as 'Thelma' starring June Squibb drew a broad audience and 'Kinds of Kindness' saw 2024 best limited opening.
Francesco Pultro
D.R. Lang

I used Filmhub. They take a cut, but our film, "CAT'S GAME' has been seen in 22 countries around the world.

Francesco Pultro

D.R. Lang, thank you so much for the tip. I have heard that the distribution end of the business is kind of like shark infested waters.

Hearing from folks on Stage 32, about their experiences with film distribution entities is very helpful.

Thank you so much again.

Sam Sokolow
Interesting distribtuion patterns

It's so interesting to see how films are being rolled out in today's marketplace. This article is worth a read - it shows several different strategies being utilized from limited releases starring Oscar winners to Magnolia going for their biggest opening ever. What are your thoughts on how films are...

Expand post

'Kinds Of Kindness' With Emma Stone Set For Best Limited Opening Of 2024 - Specialty Preview
'Kinds Of Kindness' With Emma Stone Set For Best Limited Opening Of 2024 - Specialty Preview
'Kinds of Kindness' by Yorgos Lanthimos, starring Emma Stone, is set for the best limited opening of the year at the indie film box office.
Mark Deuce

Sam Sokolow Thank You!

Geoff Hall
Hong Kong Films at Cannes 2024

An FYI post for those from the Stage32 community attending this year’s Cannes Film Festival. There’s a talk about ‘Hong Kong Perspective on Asia’s Film Market’, with Chris Lo, Gary Mak and Franck Priot, plus others for those who are wanting to know more about this territory opening up for distributi...

Expand post

Geoff Hall

Mark Deuce it’s looking like a good one, Mark. Likewise, have a great weekend.

Geoff Hall

PS Mark Deuce I love your Bio!

Mark Deuce

Thank you so much Geoff Hall that really means alot.

Geoff Hall

Mark Deuce Ah and I see you’re on Deviant Art. Excellent.

Mark Deuce

Yes, I sure am Geoff Hall and it has really helped me to get my art and ideas out there. Cheers my friend!

Kurt Patino
Ask Me Anything (AMA) 6/19 to 6/20- How Film Festivals Run Behind The Scenes

I look forward to reading and answering your questions about how Film Festivals are run behind the scenes. It’s amazing how the Burbank International Film Festival has evolved since its inception, especially in the direction of its vision; the high quality of its films; the rewarding aspects of the...

Expand post

Mike Rembis

Swear I had a comment in here before. Wonder where it went. Kurt Patino You know Jeff Rector? He used to run BurbankFF. He and I are great friends. He came to my FF in Clearwater FL.

Leotien Parlevliet

Hi Kurt, It strikes me that in most film festivals, only films and music videos are accepted but no screenplays.

Kurt Patino

Thank you so much for all your questions! This concludes my answer everything. Hope to see you at Burbank International Film Festival September 25 - September 29. Tickets go on sale July 1st at burbankfilmfest.org

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Kurt Patino. Thanks again for having this AMA. Hope BIFF has a big turnout!

Geoff Hall

Kurt Patino thank you so much, Kurt. That’s really helpful. I shall take note of what you’ve said and use it at the next festival I attend.

Sam Sokolow
Millie Vanilli biopic gets North American distributon

This was such a crazy story and this looks like its gonna be a fun movie to watch. Great to see Voltage behind a bold film like this and now that Vertical has secured North American distribution will be interesting to see the deals that follow. Do any of you remember the Millie Vanilli saga? https:/...

Expand post

Milli Vanilli Biopic 'Girl You Know It's True' Acquired By Vertical
Milli Vanilli Biopic 'Girl You Know It's True' Acquired By Vertical
Milli Vanilli biopic 'Girl You Know It's True' has been acquired by Vertical for release in North America later this year.
Ashley Renee Smith

I honestly don't know much about Milli. I'm excited to see this when it comes out!

Geoff Hall
Around the World: Vue planning further shift into UK-Ireland distribution

Now, this is a very interesting turn of events in the UK. Vue International, a privately owned company, is about to address their supply problem by becoming a distribution company!

Tim Richards, the Chief Executive said that this move into distribution was due to the problems of supply due to the str...

Expand post

Nick Phillips
Richard "RB" Botto

Journalists reporting on the state of theatrical from day to day:

Ashley Renee Smith

The fact that Alamo Drafthouse’s Michael Kustermann is remaining the CEO makes me hesitantly hopeful that it will be a good partnership. As a regular Alamo Drafthouse customer, I would hate for the th...

Expand comment
Nick Phillips

The fact that they're buying a more experiential theater chain like Alamo speaks to the continued and expanding commitment towards the more premium (read: pricier and hopefully more profitable) experi...

Expand comment
Richard "RB" Botto

Very well might, Ashley Renee Smith

Mike Boas

Woof. Although I’ve never been to one, I feel like Alamo has represented the independent spirit, dedicated to sharing an irreverent love for cult cinema and unique movie-going experiences. Now what is...

Expand comment
Debbie Elicksen
No Doubt China is a Huge Market. Chinese Animation Wants to Expand Globally

What are your thoughts on this?

I imagine there will be some controversy, given the political arena and that the Chinese government will have a say in what content gets published.

Still, the size of the market can't be ignored.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/china-animation-film......

Expand post

Chinese Animation Looks to Expand Its Global Reach at Annecy
Chinese Animation Looks to Expand Its Global Reach at Annecy
Amid the success of 'Chang'an,' China is touting its industry at the annual animation fest, with the hope of forging more international relationships: "The past decade has seen fast and significant growth."
Maurice Vaughan

Yeah, the size of the Chinese market can't be ignored, Debbie Elicksen. I've watched live-action Chinese movies, but I haven't seen any Chinese animation films. From the "Chang’an" picture, I'm defini...

Expand comment
Pat Alexander

The Chinese Film Industry has now started remaking Hollywood "classics" for the Chinese film market and audiences, which is kinda cool. Doing what Hollywood does with so many foreign films.

register for stage 32 Register / Log In