How do film distribution rights work?

A studio or independent investor decides to purchase rights to the film. The theater shows the movie for a specified number of weeks (engagement). You buy a ticket and watch the movie. At the end of the engagement, the theater sends the print back to the distribution company and makes payment on the lease agreement.

What are distribution rights?

distribution rights. noun [ plural ] COMMERCE, LAW. a legal agreement that allows a person or company to sell another company’s products or services in a particular area or country: domestic and international distribution rights.

Does a distributor own rights to a film?

A distributor will usually be offered theatrical rights, for showing the film in cinemas; video rights, for video and DVD exploitation; and TV rights, if the distributor is able to sell the film to a broadcaster.

What is a distribution agreement in film?

A distribution contract is a memorialization of the agreement between the owner of distribution rights in a film or video (usually the producer), and a company engaged in the business of marketing such works to users and purchasers (usually a distributor).

How much do distributors pay for movies?

Distribution fees vary by territory and media. For a domestic theatrical release, a distributor may ask for a fee of 35\% of gross revenues. For domestic home video, there are two basic approaches: either a 50/50 net deal, or a royalty deal.

How do I self distribute my film?

How To Self-Distribute Your Film

1. Get Attention. While streaming and video-on-demand are growing in popularity, booking movie theaters is still vital for most unseen movies to get seen.
2. Get Money.
3. Get Ads.
4. Get Social.
5. Set Good Dates.
6. Go On Tour.
7. Do Q&As.
8. Stream.

How does a distributor make money?

The way a distribution company makes money is simple. The company buys the product at a lower price from the manufacturer and sells it at a higher price to a retailer or customer.

How long do distribution rights last?

When your film starts making money, and without that itemized list, your distributor might claim that they need to recoup some of their marketing expenses out of the cash that should go to you. Negotiate a shorter term length. Right now, the average term length for most distributors is 10-15 years.

How do I get a film distribution deal?

1. Your Distribution Plan. Savvy producers do not wait until the film is finished to figure out what to do with it.
2. Know What Your Film Is & Who It’s For.
3. Don’t Wait Until After the Festival Circuit to Seek a Deal.
4. Get Feedback from a Sales Agent or Distributor.
5. Present Your Film Well.

What is traditional film distribution?

In the traditional model of film distribution, the sales agents are the link between the filmmaker and the distribution company. The distributor buys out the rights to a title for 20-30 years, sometimes longer, and in reality, they can shelve the title if they conclude that it’s too costly to try to distribute it.

Who owns the film distribution rights of a film?

The content producer owns the film distribution rights at first. Once he sells distribution rights to a distributor, the distributor owns the rights. The contract specifies whether the distributor can screen films in theatres or sell DVD copies, release the movie through OTT platforms or TV, share music to audiences etc.

What is the film distribution process?

Film distribution is the commercial process that makes a feature film available to the general public. It usually also includes determining a marketing strategy. Pretty simple, right? In practice, it can get a little more complicated.

What is a rent-a-system film distribution deal?

Rent-A-System: In a rent-a-system deal, a producer licenses certain film rights to a distribution company, typically a studio, for a limited term, but the distribution company is not required to pay an advance to the producer to either finance production or take delivery of the film.

How can a film distributor help your business?

And this includes theatrical exhibition, TV broadcast, VOD streaming, and DVD sales. An expert film distributor can help you get your film shown in cinemas and streamed on major VOD platforms. They understand how to market your film and how to help you get your film shown to an international audience.