In other words, if your distributor takes 30%, then any sub agent would take a percentage from that 30%. Quiver film distribution pricing leading digital aggregator. A 12b1 plan is a mutual fund that, instead of a load or sales fee, annually charges shareholders a small percentage of the funds market value, which is called a 12b1 fee. The distributor may set the release date of a film and the method by which a film is to be exhibited or made available for viewing. The tenpart series the beginners crash course in film distribution distills some of the information contained within film specific founder, stacey parkss book the insiders guide to independent film distributionpublished by focal press, may 2007 into a miniguide for independent filmmakers. They handle the distribution and marketing of the picture in the region entrusted upon them. The distribution fee in the us is often 30% of gross receipts. A distributor may do this directly, if the distributor owns the theaters or film distribution networks, or through theatrical exhibitors and other sub distributors.
Contact us to find out more about short film package sale options or to receive a sample of films available for licensing form discover. The industry feels that the average us distributor commission is 30%. This is normally the task of a professional film distributor, who would determine the marketing strategy for the film, the media by which a film is to be exhibited or made available for viewing, and who may set the release date and other matters. Subdistributor law and legal definition uslegal, inc. Jan 23, 2020 the film arcade carousel will work directly with filmmakers to provide and service different distributionmarketing packages based on the filmmakers needs and budget. This is part of a series of book excerpts from the independent filmmakers law and business guide. It occurs when a distributor uses a sub distributor to sell a film.
Our standard pricing includes delivery to all of the countries that accept english language films without translated subtitles or official ratings. The industry feels that the average international distributor commission is 27%. The buyers negotiate with the distribution company on which movies they wish to lease and the terms of the lease agreement. In the leasing model, the distributor agrees to pay a fixed amount for the rights to distribute the film. Indie film distribution home of indie rights indie rights. If the distributor and the studio have a profitsharing relationship, on the other hand, the distributor gets a percentage typically anywhere from 10 to 50 percent of the net profits made from the movie. Danny perkins launches uk distributor elysian film group.
Elysian film group, danny perkins film and tv production company, has formed a uk distribution company, elysian film group distribution, which is backed by a minority investment from caa. It is still the largest revenue generating segment of the entire film industry. Our standard pricing includes delivery to all of the countries that accept english language films without translated subtitles or. Distribution deals are an important part of financing a film. Distributor may appoint subagents, subdistributors, subrepresentatives or other persons to act on distributors behalf or to otherwise perform any of distributors obligations under this agreement within the territory. The process of film distribution is incredibly interesting and somewhat complex. It occurs when a distributor uses a subdistributor to sell a film.
Key tems production cycle distribution as invisible artprocess story rights screenplay producers director cast composer 3. For those beginning to explore international distribution, here are some very basic ideas and concepts about the. The distribution company determines how many copies prints of the film to make. Indie film distribution submit your film today indie. Sep 02, 2014 dont submit your film to distributors or producers reps without internally having a customized distribution strategy. Too many filmmakers follow the old playbook and take a formulaic approach to submitting their movies to the usual suspects without having a clear. Please note that the distribution process well be covering is the standard. Mar 08, 2014 what are average film distribution fees. This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. With substantial revenue sometimes well above 50 percent coming from exploitation outside of a films home country, it is vital that producers know how to target and then structure deals with foreign sales agents. This could entail the film being in theaters in the us, or internationally, as well as vod video on demand, television, or even dvd yes there is still a market for this.
You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries. I had it, as it were, as a collaborator, participant, for 30 years. Fundamentals of motion picture distribution agreements. Dont submit your film to distributors or producers reps without internally having a customized distribution strategy. These film bookers work on behalf of theater chains like amc, regal, and cinemark there are also splits between the distributor and exhibitor theater. Double distribution fees with reference to entertainment law are referred to the distribution fees incurred for the distribution when subdistributors are engaged.
You can choose as many or as few distribution outlets as you like with no per territory fee. Sub distributors are responsible for the distribution activities in the geographic territory assigned to them. Film distribution is the process of making a movie available for viewing by an audience. Film distribution strategies to use when financing your movie.
This article originally appeared in our summer, 20 issue. Both models can be good or bad, depending on how well a movie does at the box office. All these expenses together form the distribution cost of commercials and. And that gives me a fantastic insight into whats happening in film distribution. Most theaters use buyers to represent them in negotiating with the distribution companies. Jan 24, 2012 the distribution fee in the us is often 30% of gross receipts. Dec 17, 2017 the distribution expenses towards commercials and accountancy include processing of orders and maintaining accounts receivables, sales invoices, payment proofs, clerical jobs, invoicing and accountancy software, printing and stationery expenses, utility expenses.
The tenpart series the beginners crash course in film distribution distills some of the information contained within film specific founder, stacey parkss book the insiders guide to independent film distribution published by focal press, may 2007 into a miniguide for independent filmmakers. Subdistributor is a person who acts as a distributor in theatrical releases of motion pictures. Understanding distribution cost 11 types of distribution. This is the sixth of ten articles revealing the results of my survey of 1,235 film industry professionals. How much does it cost to distribute an independent film. Tolkien have resolved a rights dispute over the hobbit and the lord of the rings, the two parties said in a court filing. Subdistributors are responsible for the distribution activities in the geographic territory assigned to them. The film arcade launches new onestop distribution shop for.
Our extensive archive of resources and seminars covering all aspects of distribution including u. How not to negotiate a distribution deal film independent. Oct 29, 2014 distribution is the idea of taking the finished film and producing advertisements to figure out how to get the movie out there. For some film teams, such as knock down the house, which sold their worldwide rights to netflix at sundance 2019, bully, who made an allrights deal with the weinstein company in 2012 after winning the audience award at the tribeca film festival, or blackfish, who secured a distribution deal with magnolia pictures at sundance film festival in. The evolution of film distribution survey of mass media. Double distribution fees with reference to entertainment law are referred to the distribution fees incurred for the distribution when sub distributors are engaged. As with producer fees, this is just a disguised way of making a profit on the film. The foundation for the following information comes from the business of media distribution by jeffery c. Im going to bypass traditional distribution altogether, sell my movie on the internet myself and make a ton of money from dvd sales and digital streaming vod. The film arcade carousel will work directly with filmmakers to provide and service different distributionmarketing packages based on the filmmakers needs and. A process that many think should start when the film is already done and out of postproduction, but reality is another.
This is a list of motion picture distributors, past and present, sorted alphabetically by country. The size of the distribution fee generally increases with the amount of the minimum guarantee. Movies cost an incredible amount of money to distribute conventionally. Distribution is the idea of taking the finished film and producing advertisements to figure out how to get the movie out there. For handy reference, cones includes an extensive checklist for negotiating any feature film distribution deal. Film movement rebeca conget 109 west 27 th street, suite 9b new york, ny 1 2129417744, ext. The distribution expenses towards commercials and accountancy include processing of orders and maintaining accounts receivables, sales invoices, payment proofs, clerical jobs, invoicing and accountancy software, printing and stationery expenses, utility expenses. There are several important stages before distribution of the movie. The problem of doubledistribution fees can be ameliorated by placing caps on the total fees the distributor and subdistributors may take. The essential guide to film budgets with free film budget.
When we released our first feature on amazon and started making sales, it was hard to believe we could do so without a traditional film distribution deal. For foreign sales, if your distributor gives your film to a sub agent, all percentages should be taken out of your distributors profits. Image via quiver quiver is an online film distribution platform that allows filmmakers to keep 100 percent of their revenue for one flat fee. From the fees that we get from distribution, we return as much money as possible to filmmakers. International distribution involves getting your film out into the world. For the last 10 years, ive had this wonderful, wonderful birdseye view of whats happening in distribution as distribution has moved from an analogue to a digital age.
A limited distributor may deal only with particular products, such as dvds or bluray, or may act in a particular country or market. The standard split was called the 9010 split, though that has been. The list deals with distribution fees, distribution expenses, interest, production costs, creative control issues, general contractual provisions, distributor commitments, and the limits of negotiating. The way to do this is to find an international sales agent or distributor. The film may be exhibited directly to the public either. Based on the experience of its founders, linda nelson and. Jun 22, 2016 the process of film distribution is incredibly interesting and somewhat complex. The problem of double distribution fees can be ameliorated by placing caps on the total fees the distributor and sub distributors may take. This strategy should include your plans for each avenue of distribution. Film distribution and marketing always go hand in hand. Most film budgets do share these four categories, and youll find them on our free film budget template as well film budget breakdown accounts and subaccounts encompass these four categories atl abovetheline. Film financing and film distribution deals filmmaking 2. Indie rights, a subsidiary of nelson madison films, is a full service, global distributor with direct relationships to major distribution outlets. If sub distributors or multiple distributors are used, it will not be profitable to a filmmaker or producer of a film.
Philip nelson 101 eton road lindfield nsw 2070 australia 011612948777. At first we did not understand the power of modern selfdistribution. More details of the survey and my methodology can be found here and for any questions or clarification please contact me. Fear not were going to break it down in very simple steps and terms. A thirdparty distributor is the name given to institutions that sell or distribute mutual funds to investors for fund management companies without direct relation to the. Heres what it takes to get your project in front of an audience. Apr 09, 2018 as a result of internet film distribution and the inevitable demise of dvd retail distribution you can now reach a global marketplace. Why film budgets are important, beyond the cost of production. You can find our sales agency and distributor databases here. First off the producer of an independent film cant just walk into a big studiodistributor with their movie and get a meeting. Additionally, filmmakers should ensure that the fees charged are inclusive of sub distributor fees. Most indie filmmakers contract with a foreign sales agent, or international distributor, to take their film to the major international markets. Instead of assessing a fee when buying or selling shares as most mutual funds do, 12b1 fees are deductions from the funds market value per shareholder. Distribution fee financial definition of distribution fee.
Distribution advice for 2014 stranger than fiction. Sub distributor is a person who acts as a distributor in theatrical releases of motion pictures. Double distribution fees entertainment law law and legal. Distribution fees for foreign theatrical distribution. In many instances, a distributor will acquire a film, but use a subdistributor to monetize the film in an area where they may not be direct. Securing film distribution might be the most challenging part of the entire filmmaking process. With the rise of the internet age, distribution strategies are. Financing, shooting, and distributing independent and digital films designed to introduce filmmakers and others interested in creating content on the legal issues involved in the filmmaking process. You may wish to limit the license periods of subdistribution contracts, or make sure the subdistribution contracts are assigned to you after the distribution contract expires, or limit the distributors right to receive a fee on those subdistribution contracts after the expiration of the distribution contract. If you have a great independent film or tv series that youd like us to consider for distribution, submit your film or tv series here.