This document discusses film distribution options for an independent, low-budget film about a transgender girl. It identifies that independent distributors like IFC Films and Revolver often pick up niche films from the film festival circuit. The document suggests IFC Films would be a good fit given they distribute LGBTQ-themed films. It also notes how streaming services are becoming more involved in distribution. In conclusion, the filmmaker believes an independent distributor is the best pathway after attempting to showcase the film at festivals.

1. WHAT KIND OF MEDIA
ISTITUTION MIGHT DISTRIBUTE
YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT AND
WHY?

2. WHAT IS A DISTRIBUTOR
A DISTRIBUTOR IS WHERE A STUDIO OF INDEPENDENT INVESTOR
PURCHASES RIGHTS TO FILM. THEY SHOW TO MOVIE SCREENINGS AND
PROSPECTIVE BUYERS
EFFECTIVELY
MAKING A MOVIE AVALIABLE FOR THE AUDIENCE

3. TWO AND A HALF TYPES OF
DISTRIBUTORS
1) MAJOR
2) INDEPENDENT
(and the half)
MINI MAJORS

4. MAJORDISTRIBUTORS
WARNER BROS
UNIVERSAL PICTURES
PARAMOUNT PICTURES
SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
Normally they distribute films that they have produced because they are vertically
integrated.
Normally from a multi-media conglomerate, and
can produce all the necessary marketing tools
aswell.
Will normally choose a film that is safe e.g one
with a massive actor who they know will sell
well in the box office.

5. INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTORS
Mostly find their stuff at film festivals or
get approached by independent film
directors.
Revolver is a really big distributor in the UK
and England and also in the United states
Normally choose more niche films

6. THE FESTIVAL CIRCUIT
Festivals like Sundance and Edinburgh Film Festival are the best way
for independent directors to get their films picked up by like minded
distributors. Who will help to get a niche film out there

7. Mini MAJORDISTRIBUTOR
They do not distribute as many films as the majors but they are still
renowned and very important.
- CBS
- LIONSGATE
- DREAMWORKS
- MGM
- RELATIVITY MEDIA
- THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY

8. Our
Film
Strongly inspired
by Boys don’t cry
which was
independently
produced
Our film; has a low budget, non-famous actors, a
pressing subject matter and an unconventional style
of film.
We would attempt to get it into all of the festivals
that we could; and hopefully this would mean that it
would get picked up by an independent.

9. Our film would most likely be
distributed by someone like
IFC FILMS
Our film covers the storyline of
a transgender girl trying to
figure out her path in life. IFC
has a whole section of LGBTQ
issued films that it distributes;
as shown below.
Our Film is definitely of the independent
genre, and would be considered coming of
age/comedy/romantic
IFC – distributes
independent films and
documentaries.

10. One of our biggest inspirations was Boys Don’t Cry and as you can see below
they have been distributed by many different companies; in different
circumstances of release.
THREE TYPES OF
RELEASE;
THEATRICAL
DVD
ONLINE
As you can see there are
different distributors in
different countries.

11. OTHER POSSIBILITES
As Streaming services are becoming more and more popular, and services
are starting to branch out into the idea of distribution. It would definitely be
a possible option that we would look out for.
At this current moment in time, you would have to go through a distributor
to get your film on their services; but with the structure of the film and the
message. I think streaming would be our biggest priority rather then
theatrical or DVD.

12. To conclude;
My niche, low budget film would go around the festival route, and hopefully be distributed by an
independent because of the way that they work and how it fits with my genre.
And as it is produced by what from the ident is clearly an independent that gives us even more
reason to believe it would be distributed by the same.