Entry #17: Difficult Distribution

Mood: Energized

Hey! Today, I'm tweaking my script for my CCR and adding information from a few sources. For one of the questions, I was asked how my film would be distributed, but I realized that I don't know much about the process itself. Therefore, I went to Google to help me learn more about how new films find their homes.

On this website, distributing a documentary film is discussed; although our film is a drama and not a documentary, the website was still helpful because different genre films go through similar processes in order to gain recognition. One of the first steps to be taken is submitting the film to film festivals because they are a great way to build support for a good film. People at the festival may have connections to large companies that would be interested in a film. Also, people who enjoy the film can review it and start a buzz through word-of-mouth, social media, and blogs. 

Additionally, that source discusses how films can be submitted for awards, again gaining a large foundation for support from a variety of people. This way, when the time comes to get a deal with a major company that markets towards a specified audience, it becomes easier to label a film as successful since it has garnered a few awards.

Equally valuable, this next source from the New York Film Academy explained how to get a film onto a major streaming service like Netflix. The article detailed the steps needed to gain the attention of such a large and popular company. These steps include:

1. Find a distribution company capable of getting your film onto Netflix's database, where they choose what films end up on their home page.

2. Create a demand for the film through supporters. Having a large social media presence is extremely useful in getting the attention of a large service like Netflix. Showing the company that your film will be profitable and is in demand by the public can gain a higher status of the film on Netflix's database.

3. Try to get the film reviewed. Research has shown that when trying to get a film noticed by Netflix, a film with good ratings on popular websites such as Rotten Tomatoes or an authentic listing on IMDB are more likely to get chosen for Netflix's home page.

Now, I have an abundance of information about the process of distribution which is great for not only this project, but hopefully for in the real world when I enter the media scene.


Zeke. "Get Your Independent Movie on Netflix: What You Need to Know." New York Film Academy. New York Film Academy, 11 July 2014. Web. 8 Apr. 2016. <https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/get-your-independent-movie-on-netflix/>. 
Fuller, Faith. "Distributing Your Film." Desktop Documentaries. Desktop Documentaries.com, n.d. Web. 8 Apr. 2016. <http://www.desktop-documentaries.com/distributing-your-film.html>.