Distribution : After the film is made...? by Karen Goldfarb

Maybe I'm completely ignorant, but the chances of getting distribution of a short film are close to zero. Which platforms were you looking to distribute to?

You've never heard of Distrify -- or any other of the new web platforms out there?

Normally the idea behind getting your short film to festivals is that if it does well meaning it wins, gets nominated, selected for any category, etc...You will get noticed..with this you may get approached and/ or now have credentials to talk to various investors to either stretch it to a feature lengith...after which - if done properly you can approach any distributor..by then we'll assume you have a " finished product"...))) Then there are also companies that distribute short films...where they package various short films on one DVD..)) I was in a short like that..)))

To recap: Festivals is a better approach since you will have more potential and professional industry eyes on you...rather than going straight to a distributor who's never heard of neither the film nor you.

Thanks.. that's what I thought.. ;)

I guess i was wondering .. if you went with something like Distrify .. and then got noticed in a film festival.. would it help or hurt?

i dont know who Distrify is but if its a festival...Of course it would help..)) Even if its not selected you keep going to other festivals..)) key is submit to proper categories..)) get as much feedback as possible..)) it could always be extended to a feature should anyone like it enough and have the funds..))

It's like a singer submitting a demo to a record label...VS posting it on youtube and getting a million hits..you'll have labels bidding to work with you..)

you can submit directly to the network or there are film festivals that are sponsored by major networks who actually look at the Finalist to see if the material is worth a network or major distribution deal.

Hi Karen, most festivals do not allow the film to be distributed while it is being put through the festival. They would prefer the festival happens before distribution but the good thing is you can take if off the distribution platform if you get accepted into a festival. You should also check out indiereign.com :)

Tks guys for all this great advice!!! Xxxk

Hey Karen: my view is do not lock yourself into a distribution deal unless there is money on the table up front --becoming harder if not impossible these days...get your film out as far and wide as you can...its never been easier with the internet....Im about to launch First Rites (should be live end of September - www.firstritesfilms.com) I would be honored to feature your first film! Cheers Milt

Thanks so much Milt! Would love to learn more about your site!

Thanks Karen. We go live ready to upload in a few weeks. I can send you more details if you email me at : milt@firstrites.com and will send back to you...Best Milt

In my years at Film Independent I found that most filmmakers had the best success by not waiting for distribution. A short is very difficult to find distribution for and if you do the benefits are not high. In the many festivals you will enter use your short to promote your storytelling skills and your name. That will serve you best in the long run. Do not waist much time in finding distribution for a short.

Hi Mandla....I have to disagree with your comments - while I respect them ! - Film Festivals are great exposure and can add prestige but you are only getting to a TINY part of your potential audience and you actually have to make it into a festival...here is a sobering number ---10,000 films are submitted to Sundance each year I believe. 100 are selected...Cheers Milt

Hi Milt... I'm not sure we're understanding one another. Karen specified finding a distribution " deal". I am taking the liberty to understand that when she means deal she means a distribution agreement where she allows an entity to show her project where she will in return gain some financial gain. That is unlikely to happen as it usually includes some exclusivity. Festivals are limiting since they only expose the film to that one showing for the small number who will sit through shorts. A more practical approach, I feel, would be to get into as many festivals as possible, then place your short online, Vimeo or your web page so you can direct eyeballs to it. If you like making shorts that's great. There are great films that are in the short form. But, if the short is a prelude to making a longer form film, then save the "finding a deal worry" to when you have a feature length project. These days, if your film is not online then you're cutting off your potential audience. Shorts are being squeezed out of any financially rewarding distribution avenues. Programmers, studios, advertisers are more likely to finance a web series than a short. I am not aware of any money people saying, "wow, we really want to give you money to make another short." But there are many examples where a web series has grown greater opportunities for the filmmaker. So, to speak to you directly Karen, if your short can be made into a web series then, distribution consideration would be more appropriate. You would have what distributors want. If not that route I would make your feature. The costs are too low not to do a feature with crowd sourcing avenues available. FWIW.

Karen, Distrify or Milt's First Rites makes more sense after a festival run. Distrify is basically pay to play outside of the free mode that doesn't allow purchasing of your film. The question is what do you want to get out of distribution of your short? Financial or exposure capital? You can place your short on Amazon, Distrify or First Rites and you'll cover exposure better than festivals. But festivals MAY offer a better qualified exposure. There those who see shorts at festivals that can give you a leg up on future projects. Do both, with an online distribution after the festival run. If you find an online distribution avenue that is a champion of the filmmaker, say maybe a web site like First Rites maybe, just maybe they will allow you to run your short while your running festivals. Why? Because it's a short.

Thanks Mandla and I do agree with your comments. When First rites launches - in a few weeks - we will upload shorts ,features , music videos and student films. We are trying very hard to be non elitist which is a problem in exposure for early filmmakers. i believe that ALL films should have a home without qualifying...lets the audience decide whats hot and whats not. Some would sa 'oh this will cause you to have a lot of junk' on your site. As the old saying goes one mans trash is another mans treasure! And of course the filmmaker needs to work super hard to spread the word that his or he film is on X Y & Z sites and gets the audience to go check it out and like it....Cheers

Sounds like a really good idea. Congratulations ahead of time and good luck to you.

thanks Diana. Hope you can help spread the word amongst like minded souls ! Cheers Milt

I would parallel. The festival circuit can be a great platform to gain recognition for your work as well as meet potential key partners. But don't be afraid to leverage your time as well as your contacts. Best of luck Karen!

Agreed Brandon Cheers Milt

When you say distribution, are you thinking VOD?

Yep

You don't have t wait to enter it into festivals Karen. I'm in the same boat!

I know.. I"m just waiting for the edit process to be done..;)

I am not at all in agreement with Robins comment. It makes 'distributors' look like the bad guys. 'Us' and 'Them' mentality does nothing to grow the industry. I have been in film distribution for 30 years ranging from blockbusters to little independent and Asian product. Its a tough business. It a 1 in 10 game . That is out of 10 pictures you distribute 1 will make you a lot of money , 2 will make a few pennies , 2 will beak even after you have had them for about 2 years and exploited all revenues and 5 will lose you a bundle ! Yep your right it is all about money and the distributor has to find it for prints ,DCP's , materials , marketing ,. freight , VPF fees ( the death knell for indies) , censorship , royalties for 3D glasses etc etc etc. All upfront. And in many cases then wait for a minimum of 60 days before they start to get money back. Good distributors and those that have been around for a while know there are a lot easier ways to make money ! We are in this game because we love film . And in my case I love to incubate talent. You are right about shorts. making money is tough but if we can at least give a PLATFORM for those shorts to be seen then we are looking after our future. Todays director of a short could be tomorrows Oscar winner. This distribution business is like golf. You hate it until you hit a hole in one. And then you cant wait to get back on the course. Cheers all . Milt

You should try Withoutabox, from there you can attend to film festivals easily. I have used it for years, and from my point of view it really is hard business to get your film through. I don't know if the festivals even watch all pre-screeners, because there could be literally thousands of shorts and hundreds of features for one festival... I think they fast-forward most of the material they get... Best thing about WOB is that you can easily have an IMDB title page and your movie online (or just trailer of it, if you want). https://www.withoutabox.com/

Hi Karen, Kaleigh Group Entertainment is now accepting films for distribution. We have traditional and Out of the Box distribution channels. We get paid commission, so there are NO up front fees. I would like to discuss this with you. Contact me if you are interested.

Hey Ron, Leslie.. would like to know more.. Best, Karen