2. Types of Distribution
The main types of film distribution are:
Cinema Release
DVD Sales
Internet Exposure
Film Festivals
When making a film, the producers main goal
will usually be to display their film to large
audiences and have their film become largely
popular. However, distribution largely
depends on the budget a film has, so smaller
film companies cannot afford to distribute
their films in the same way that large studies
such as Disney or Universal can do so.
However, there are ways to distribute films on
a smaller budget.
3. Cinema Release
Cinema release it the most
popular and effect way to
distribute a film to a large
audience. For large film studios,
it is easy to get their films
shown in cinemas, however, for
small independent film
companies, such as what my
film would be made by, it is
more difficult as they do not
have proof that they will attract
a large audience.
For short films, it is hard to get them shown in cinemas as they do not have a
mass audience. However, the can be played before the main feature length
film, or sometimes alongside a collection of other short films.
4. DVD Sales
Short films can be sold on DVD
either on its own or as part of a
collection of other short films.
The most popular websites that
small film companies use in
order to sell their DVD’s are
Amazon and eBay. This
technique of film popular has
been getting more and more
popular over the last few years.
Selling a short film as part of a compilation DVD usually happens after you’ve been part of a
film festival and the festival will organise a DVD to show all of the films that were involved.
Other ways to be part of a compilation DVD is by a public body such as the UK Film Council
to showcase your film.
Selling your film on its own and independently is more risky for small film companies
because of the financial risk that is involved. This is because it is up to the company to
produce all of the DVD’s and then if they do not sell they may not have any financial return.
Selling a DVD includes things of the design, marketing and distribution of the film as well as
what extras are going to be involved such as a directors commentary.
5. Internet Exposure
Social media websites, such as twitter and facebook are
excellent ways to promote the film through word of
mouth without any financial impact. Word of mouth is
essential for short films as the independent film
companies of which they are usually produced by have a
small budget for distribution.
By uploading a film to websites such as YouTube and
sharing the link around social media websites, it can create
a viral spread of the film which is what many small film
companies reply on in order to make a profit form their
film. This has happened for films such as Paranormal
Activity where a ‘buzz’ is created for the film. This is how
many independent film companies manages to get their
films into cinemas.
6. Film Festivals
Film festivals are possibly the most
important way to distribute a short
film. There are many different
festivals, around the UK and the rest
of the world, set up specially to show
short films. These festivals usually
attract a high demographic audience
how are interested in short films.
The British Film Institute have one of
the largest film festivals in the UK and
have different categories for films
with large and small budgets. Film
festivals like this are often how indie
films gain enough popularity and
attention to be able to have a cinema
release.
