Having a solid distribution plan is key to your Christian film’s success. As a producer, you spend most of your time focused on the script, pre-production, filming, and editing. But when it comes time to get your film distributed, many filmmakers realize they haven’t really thought about distribution. Ideally, you should have a plan for that well before you get to this point.
At what point do you create a film distribution plan?
You should start developing a distribution plan early in the process. This will help inform your audience, budgets and the long term success for your film.
Here are the high level components of a film distribution plan.
Identify the Audience– In the script stage of your film you will want to identify your audience. This will help you shape your film and marketing plan.
Develop a Marketing Plan– Develop a plan with marketing tactics that will bring awareness to your film and your ideal audience to view the film. Tip: Divide your marketing plan into Pre-Release and Release initiatives. Your Pre-Release plan will include tactics to raise awareness of your film and build your audience. Your Release plan with include everything to promote the release of the film.
Research Distributors- Identify a film distributor that you want to work with. This could be a single distributor that could bring your film to all the markets (U.S. and International) or multiple distributors that you carve out various rights or windows to. Also, you may choose to self-distribute your film.
Sign a Distribution Agreement– Once you have identified the distributor(s) you want to work with then you will sign your distribution agreement for the period of time agreed upon.
Release Marketing Plan– Once your film is ready to release, begin to roll out all the tactics you’ve developed to promote your film. Tip: Monitor the response to your marketing initiatives and refine or expand it along the way.
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