Film distribution is the stage when an audience sees the final cut of a film. This can be either in film theaters, VOD platforms, or TV. This is when a screening room is finally full of people eager to watch your film. They have bought popcorn and refreshments to watch, and it’s your film’s time to shine.
Film distribution is the part of the film industry where your film is watched, makes money, and is sold to different parts of the world. This is when your film either gets seen or fails.
In this post, I will explain how this process works and why you must consider a distribution plan for your film early in the process.
Why do you need to know this? This way, you create more opportunities for your film to hit the big screen; you won’t only be the creator but also part of the decisions when your movie is finished and sold.
The film distribution stage starts when your film is finished and is time to be released to the public.
The traditional path for a film is:
- Project development
- Preproduction
- Production
- Post-production
- Marketing
- Film distribution
Today, we will talk exclusively about a film release in cinemas. Let me know if you want to know about a release in a VOD platform.
Your film has been sold to a film distributor, and they are the ones in contact with exhibitors.
Who are the exhibitors? This is your favorite cinema you attend. AMC, Cinemark, Cinepolis, Kinepolis, etc.
The film distributor negotiates with cinema chains to premiere your film. Each chain receives a percentage of ticket sales, typically between 30% to 50%.
Typically, those who get 50% are blockbusters.
Plus, you, as a film producer, negotiate a percentage with the film distributor that can also be between 40-60%
If you have a sales agent, you also have a split of the film’s income.
This is called revenue waterfall.
The last person who sees money for their film is the film producer because the traditional way of filmmaking involves many people on the path to release your film.
But what if you think about a film distribution plan from the beginning and you save yourself time and money?
If you want to know about new ways of releasing your film where you are in charge, let’s talk!
