So, for your film, I would say in 2025 and beyond, you might consider these three paths:
1) The “Traditional” Way.
Festival circuit = trying to get a distribution deal using the old frameworks that hardly ever recoup expenses for the film. Ask them for open accounting.
Be sure to fight for your P&A rights. In film distribution, "P&A" stands for Prints and Advertising, encompassing the costs incurred by distributors for creating and distributing physical or digital copies of the film (prints) and for promoting it to the public. This is what the distributors charge back to you, like record companies used to do to bands, leading to musicians who were in debt even though they sold a million records.
if you aren’t being offered a fair deal with any kind of minimum guarantee or fair P&A deal, you are better off “going it alone”, I’m afraid.
2) Sign up with Bitmax
They are a hybrid distribution service that you pay a fixed fee to distribute your film while you retain 100% rights and ownership. Worth looking into!
3) Self-Distribute:
Your movie can still be seen on Smart TVs, even if you aren’t on the Netflix roster. If you have hype, people will find a way to see it online. Use modern technology to put your film in touch with audiences across multiple screens (TV, Computer, Phone). This is easy with password-protected video streaming services backed by a promotional campaign and direct access for an online audience to buy or rent the film. And don’t forget local theatres, all while keeping your sanity! (Get some exercise and fresh air too).
So then comes the question: How do you self-fund the release and distribution of a film where you can’t make money selling tickets to protect any future distribution deal you might actually negotiate a bit down the road when you have enough buzz to get their interest? If you “self-release” before then, that will kill your chance for a distributor to get your film past the ‘gatekeepers’ and leverage their relationships with streaming platforms and theatres. It’s a fine line.
Full article here: https://www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-stay-sane-when-the-entertainment-bus...
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Randall Scott White, thank you so much for taking the time to write such an in-depth and thoughtful post on this subject. You broke down the realities of modern distribution so clearly and provided genuinely actionable advice. It’s rare to see all of this information laid out so transparently, especially with such a grounded look at both the challenges and opportunities that filmmakers face today. This is incredibly valuable insight for anyone navigating their release strategy!