Navigating Indie Film Distribution: Marketing, Promotion & Exhibition

1. Areas in the Industry that my work will be relevant to Film and TV Production- Rhiana Bonterre

2. Mainstream or Independent? As my film is experimental, the audience will not be as big as if it were a drama, or action film. It would therefore be categorized as an independent film, as only certain groups of people would be interested in seeing it. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Mainstream films will obviously be more recognized, but with independent Films, the filmmaker has more freedom to produce what they want, rather than what is expected of them. “What’s great about small independent films is the intimacy and communication that occurs when you’re making them.”

3. Promotion and Marketing • Once the film is finished, and I have found the right distributor to show my film in festivals, I will begin to market my project, and get the word out that it will soon be showing in exhibitions. One of the ways that I will do this would be by making flyers, and a few posters. I will distribute these in places where my likely audience may spend their time. This would be in theatres, small cinemas and other places where independent films are screened. • Another way that I will market my film is via social media. I will use my Instagram account as well as my twitter account which promotes myself as a filmmaker. It already has snippets of the films I have created, and a number of followers who are also interested in filmmaking. Using hashtags, following people and commenting on pictures that are relevant to film will all make people more aware that my film exists, and theyshould go to see it. • If I am only showing my film on the internet, these marketing and promotional scheme will be just as effective, only I will concentrate on advertising it mostly on the internet, as that is where peopke will be able to view it. Adverts on youtube and vimeo will expose people to my film, and let them view it by the click of their mouse. moase

4. Distribution • Distribution of a film happens once production is completed. It takes into consideration all of the different elements that the film entails, and markets it accordingly. • The film distributor has to decide what sets the fim apart from others, and how it will be presented to the appropriate audience. • They look for the films Unique Selling Point (USP) • For the experimental film that I intend to produce for my project, the distributor will look at the themes, the style and the aesthetics, determine it’s USP and find the best way to market it for exhibition. • Examples of distributors that would distribute my project as an independent film, are Balcony Films, Lionsgate and Monterey Media Inc.

5. Exhibitors • The exhibition of a film is the last stage in its process, and involves the screening of the film for the first time to the public eye. • The film I produce is an experimental one and will therefore be screened in Film festivals rather than a Multiplex cinema.