Indie film distributors look for one thing only when they evaluate paying for your Indie Films. "Will this film be profitable for us?"
To evaluate this, they look at your film, the size of the target audience, how your film compares to previously successful similar films, and in the end, it comes down to whether they think they can sucessfully get your film screened in a theater or digitally.
For a better understanding of how the film money cycle is broken down, from production through end user distribution, please see the FilmProposals and Financial Manual.
For an amazing inside look into What Indie Distributors want, this is a must-read, We Spoke to Dozens of Distributors; This is What They Want in a Film. These are FilmProposals key take aways from this excellent article:
- Most distribution companies do not accept unsolicited submissions. They must come in through an agent, manager, lawyer, foreign sales company, or pre-established business acquaintence.
- Built in fan bases (social media) are important, as is attached talent that draws said audience, but it's quality over quantity. Engagement is key as it demonstrates a motivated audience. Ideally, the cast and their fans are equally engaged.
We HIGHLY recommend you do not contact any Indie Film Distributors until you are absolutely sure you know:
- How to work with Independent Film Distributors
- How to tell if a distributor is legitimate
- Your package is 100% ready for Indie Film Distributors
Tips on Film Marketing Plan & Distribution Plan
Your Film Marketing Plan & Distribution Plan are the hardest parts of your business plan to complete. FilmProposals has done all the heavy lifting for you for your financial projections, covering the industry, using top tier research and statistics and discussing all the latest release trends and acquisitions. However, Film Marketing and Distribution Plans are unique to every film and this is where a producer has to focus their efforts to be successful. When you have these mapped out, investors and distributors will know you have a solid deal on the table. Luckily, we've helped so many successful filmmakers over the years, and now offer our expert formula for reaching your audience, winning film festivals and getting distribution.
Top of Indie Film Distributors
Everything You Need to Know About Independent Film Distribution
Global film sales consultant David Zannoni discusses the the ins and outs of Independent Film Distribution as part of his ongoing vlog series with Stage 32.
Related Reading: Film Distribution
List of Indie Film Distributors
- Abramorama
- Bleecker Street
- Breaking Glass Pictures
- CBS Films
- Cohen Media Group
- Entertainment One
- Filmrise
- Freestyle Digital Media
- Good Deed Entertainment
- Gravitas Ventures
- Greenwich Entertainment
- Gunpowder and Sky
- IFC Films
- Indie Rights
- Juno Films
- Magnolia
- Mbur Indie Film Distribution
- Monterey Media
- Music Box Films
- Neon
- The Orchard
- Passion River
- Roadside Attractions
- Seed&Spark
- Strand Releasing
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FilmProposals - 2025 Financing Toolkits & Bundles
DIY Toolkits, Legal & Finance Service Bundles
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Gold Toolkit
DIY Templates- Financing Manual
- Financial Projections Template
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- Investor Agreement Outline
- Film Budget Template
- Indie Film Pitch Deck
- Custom Indie Film Database
- BONUSES (MPA Market Stats, Dealmaking, Investor Tips, ++ )
- Regular Price $303, Save $124
Gold Toolkit + Financials Bundle
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- + Professional Sales Projections & Investor ROI (10 Films)
- Regular Price $802, Save $103
Platinum Bundle
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- + Professional Sales Projections & Investor ROI -10 Films (Reg $499)
- + Film PPM Investor Agreement (Reg $499)
- + Filmmaker Legal Pack (Reg $129)
- Regular Price $1430, Save $231
While our FilmProposals Bundles & Toolkits will save you hundreds of hours with prewritten text and templates and speed up your learning curve by showing you how to complete complicated financial projections, there is still a lot of information to process. We designed this FREE Film Business Plan Course to be sent once per week to break the process of writing your business plan into manageable pieces, and to keep you accountable and focused.
Just want to thank you for your materials and help over the past year. I could not have raised the $1.5 million or made this film without the materials you provided. The bargain of my career!
- James Sadwith, Producer, Writer, Director, Coming Through the Rye
Finished my deck on Friday. Got it into a few potential investor’s hands over the weekend, and by Monday had 3 out of the 10 available memberships spoken for at $160K each. The revenue projections and film comparable services by NASH, along with the business plan and pitch deck templates were instrumental in presenting the project in such a way that financially minded potential investors could understand the movie business, the market and how my project could possibly give them a substantial ROI.
Melissa was amazing throughout the entire process. Always there to answer any questions. Couldn’t have done it without you guys. Can’t thank you enough. Best money I’ve ever spent.
- Michael F, Executive Producer, Inside Sportfishing (Gold + Financials Bundle)
FilmProposals Tools and Templates
- Film Financing Bundles
- Film Financial Projections Template
- Film Business Plan Template
- Documentary Business Plan Template
- Film Financing and Investor Manual
- Film Budget Template
- Indie Film Pitch Deck
- Film Investor Agreement Outline
- Film Investor Tip Sheet
- Filmmaker Legal Pack
- Indie Film Database
- FREE Business Plan E-Course
