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
Breaking into the screenwriting industry is more competitive than ever. Literary agents receive hundreds, sometimes thousands of submissions each month, and most of those never make it past the initial scan. Many talented writers struggle not because their work lacks potential, but because they don’...
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Seeking distribution for my short film, called Dragon Tamer. Any suggestions? Let me know if you enjoy the film, and have any opportunities for distribution!! Thx
Hi, Austin Oneal Jones. Have you thought about Vimeo?
Austin Oneal Jones It's a music video, no? YouTube, which is where it is. As well look at these:
https://www.maestro.io/blog/best-music-video-distribution-platforms/...
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2025 sees a few new indie distributors making their way to theaters with their films. Interesting to see their approaches.
https://jonreiss.substack.com/p/2025s-new-indie-distributors?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Hello! I operate Itsbuz Productions – The Rating Tales, a brand/trademark I have applied for.
I’ve created custom branding laurels to highlight curated films on my website. These laurels are not related to festivals or awards — they are only for platform branding.
From a distribution/marketing standp...
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If you think it could be interpreted as misleading it may be better to avoid using them for purposes other than indicating something that has approved use from selections/wins at film festivals or competitions.
Understood. I will only use them for officially approved selections or wins. Thank you for the guidance.
Absolutely branding can be applied to websites and socials. Sumit Kumar people do it all the time. Branding is a look and feel, like a consistent thumbnail on YouTube or colors on Instagram. The one t...
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Thank you for explaining! Yes, I agree branding is mainly about maintaining a consistent look and feel across platforms. And you’re right, every platform has a different type of audience and content p...
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I don't know if I've seen content from Saudi Arabia yet Geoff Hall. I had to check to see where The Stoning of Soraya M. was located: Jordan. I guess I'll have to check out a couple Saudi films on Net...
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Debbie Elicksen sounds like a good idea, Debbie. Please let me know what you find.
Hi friends, are there any podcasts you like to listen to that talks about distribution??
Great question Don Zorbas. I would add that looking for discussions on marketing and distribution doesn't have to be exclusively film-related. One can find solid gems from other industries that can be...
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Don Zorbas I also just found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HEdaUa5fNw...
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Another written piece providing distribution tips. I particularly love this section:
Use Owned Media to Control Your Content
Owned media encompasses all digital assets that your business directly controls. It includes:
Blog
Social media profiles
All of these chan...
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Must-read blog, Debbie Elicksen! Thanks for sharing it! I can use some things in it to help pitch my scripts and projects, like "Repurpose Videos Across Multiple Formats."...
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Maurice Vaughan Awesome.
Good afternoon creatives and peers.
Can anyone help me with any information you have about securing distribution for a short film? Your expertise is highly appreciated.
Netflix will release the Stranger Things finale simultaneously on streaming and in 500+ theaters this New Year’s Eve. At over two hours, it plays like a feature film, but the real innovation is the distribution model: theaters keep concession revenue, while Netflix doesn’t take box office returns. N...
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The deal was sent to Netflix to help the cinema all around, they are helping each other... Mainly Netflix saving our pastime because like Kpop people would love to watch Stranger Things end in theaters.
This is an interesting move by N...
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I agree, Maurice Vaughan.This feels like a smart move that benefits both Netflix and audiences. I see it as an innovative step that could revitalize theaters while opening doors for hybrid release str...
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Exactly, Vincent Turner. Netflix and theaters supporting each other is powerful. It really feels like they’re helping revitalize cinema while giving fans that big‑screen cultural moment....
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Thanks for sharing that perspective and the link, Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg. You raise an important point; the guaranteed concession model does secure profit for theaters, but it also risks creati...
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I found this little gem in my search for distribution tips. It's a helpful step-by-step article for newbies and independent creators. I personally think it's worth a bookmark.
https://www.ep.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-film-distribution-overview-fo......
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Thanks for sharing this guide, Debbie Elicksen! There's things in it that I've never heard of. I bookmarked it.
Hi, Leah McBean-Willis. I think you meant to post that here: www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Your-projects...
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You're welcome, Leah McBean-Willis. Okay. Just click "delete" underneath your name to remove your comment.
Admin please move if in wrong category:
I had this crazy(?) idea of writing a musical and making videos of each scene on Youtube. The real catch would be, that the viewers could vote after each published scene how the story should continue. Of course, there would be some guidelines and given alternatives for the plot twists.Fun, yes/no?
It sounds fun, Ville Hilden. I like the idea! It's a unique way of making and distributing a musical!
Ville Hilden YouTube is a fantastic distribution channel. So many creators choose it as their main site. As with anything else, no idea is crazy. Social/digital channels are perfect for experimenting....
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China has long been an unpredictable but essential market for Hollywood, and this month may be one of the biggest indicators of where that relationship is headed. Two major titles are about to hit Chinese cinemas: Disney’s Zootopia 2 this week, and Avatar: Fire and Ash three weeks later.
How these fi...
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I think Hollywood can regain momentum in China, Ashley Renee Smith. One factor is making films that people in China want to see.
This is such a interesting topic and asks the huge question. Three recipients of the 2025 Noble Economics Sciences received thier awards for better explaining the process {progress of replacing old te...
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China is a huge market Ashley Renee Smith . HUGE.
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If any time remains, wondering if Jessica has any thoughts on how AI is affecting her side of the industry? What about verticals?
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I still don’t really understand this whole unsolicited-material thing: if I have a 2-pager, does it make any sense to send it to an agent who says they don’t accept unsolicited materials or not? Or do...
Expand commentI still don’t really understand this whole unsolicited-material thing: if I have a 2-pager, does it make any sense to send it to an agent who says they don’t accept unsolicited materials or not? Or do you absolutely need to know someone who can introduce you? Because, I mean, otherwise it feels like a lost cause…
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Thank you Jessica!!!
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Thank you everyone for joining us live today and for the great questions & happy and educational viewing to those who will be benefiting on-demand :)
And a big thank you to Jessica Zou for generously s...
Expand commentThank you everyone for joining us live today and for the great questions & happy and educational viewing to those who will be benefiting on-demand :)
And a big thank you to Jessica Zou for generously sharing about how to feel more prepared and strategic about seeking literary agent representation.
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This was wonderful Jessica, thank you. I have a lot of notes. I'm into following the route of film festival script competitions and developing the craft through Education/Script Services here on Stage...
Expand commentThis was wonderful Jessica, thank you. I have a lot of notes. I'm into following the route of film festival script competitions and developing the craft through Education/Script Services here on Stage32, as wells as through local writers groups. Then finding a manager first to help in that develop. When I feel I can, perhaps hitting up some of my network in Los Angeles for an agent. Those are initial thought anyway. Thank you for hosting Sebastian.