This document discusses potential distribution options for a low-budget independent film. It analyzes that the film would not be suitable for mainstream cinemas like the Odeon due to its low budget. Better options would be independent cinemas, film festivals, or online distributors. Specifically, it recommends the Electric Cinema in London, film festivals like CINEMAGIC or Sundance, and the online distributor IndieFlix which allows worldwide access and pays filmmakers based on views. The best strategy concluded would be online distribution to guarantee views and payment with a simpler application process than film festivals.

1. Evaluation
Question 3
By Christopher Barlow

2. What’s on at the Odeon?
These films are currently
screening at the Odeon in
Guildford. The main genre is
Drama, followed by Thriller.
Our film would be accepted by
current audiences, however it
may not be as popular as other
films currently screening at the
Odeon.
Action
FantasyAnimation
Drama
Comedy
Drama/ThrillerCrime/Drama
Action/Thriller
Thriller
Drama/Thriller
Drama
Drama

3. Where Would Our Film be
Distributed
 Since our film has been made on a low budget
and with no studio or production companies, it
wouldn’t be shown in a mainstream cinema such
as the Odeon.
 Our film would be better suited to an
independent cinema such as; The Electric
Cinema.
 Or an online film distribution such as; IndieFlix.
 Or a filmmakers competition like; CINEMAGIC
YOUNG FILMMAKER 2015, or the Sundance Film
Festival.

4. Independent Cinemas
 The ‘Electric Cinema’ in Notting Hill is one of the
most popular independent cinemas in the UK. It
was opened in 1910 and went through the
decades with varying success before it was
closed in 1993. It was re-opened in 2001 after
having a revamp and a new restaurant and bar
built. It is now a popular cinema in the Notting Hill
area. It is a perfect venue for our film, a variety of
films are screened, including;

5. Film Festivals
 The Sundance Film Festival is the most
famous independent film festival in the
world, it showcases American and
International films as well as having
competitions for various films. It exhibits
short and full length films. One film
which has come out of the festival has
been very successful, ‘Pi’ a
psychological thriller made on a low
budget. This film is in the same genre to
our film and so Sundance could be a
possible distribution venue to consider.
However Sundance is an American
festival. But since 2012, there has been a
‘Sundance London’, held at the O2
Arena.

6. Online Film Distributors
 A very popular online film distributor is ‘IndieFlix’.
 IndieFlix allows people access to a variety of
independent films, as well as supplying platforms
such as; Amazon, Roku and Xbox.
 The company collaborates with filmmakers to
discover efficient solutions for distribution and
provides potential access to worldwide platforms
such as Amazon, Roku and Xbox.
 IndieFlix has created and implemented an artist
payment model called the RPM (Royalty Pool
Minutes). The RPM model pays filmmakers for every
minute watched of their content.
 This seems like a very good place to distribute and
exhibit our film, we receive payment for it and it is
widely accessible to a world wide audience.

7. Thrillers Recently Shown on TV
The Yards: Mark Wahlberg stars as an ex-con working
for his uncle (James Caan), repairing New York's
subway trains, when he finds himself framed for
murder.
 This was shown on Film4 on Sunday 1st February, it
may not be a psychological thriller, but Film4
clearly shows thrillers.
 This could be a location for our film once it has
started in a cinema or film festival. From looking
at the listings on Film4, most of the thrillers are
shown very late at night, between 11:00pm and
3:00am. This reduces the number of viewers as
most would probably be in bed.

8. Where Would our Film Go?
 If we were to make a feature length film stemming from our
opening sequence, then realistically, the best place to
distribute it would be online. This is because our film would
be very low budget and it wouldn’t attract the attention of
an independent cinema. However it could be entered into
a film festival, maybe a small one rather than Sundance.
 With online distribution, we are guarantied views and some
payment, also the application process is much simpler and
easier to complete.