How to Be Film Distributor - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 3, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The success of a film distributor has a direct effect on the success of a movie. A good distributor can help a movie reach its target audience, ensuring that it will be seen by as many people as possible. This will then increase the box office revenue and critical acclaim the movie receives.

When a movie is well distributed, it can generate positive word of mouth, leading to more viewers and greater success. On the other hand, if a movie is not properly distributed, it can suffer from low viewership, poor reviews, and ultimately a lack of audience engagement and revenue. To ensure success, filmmakers must carefully choose the right distributor for their movie, taking into account factors such as budget, release strategy, marketing capabilities, and experience.

Steps How to Become

Research the Film Distribution Market. Research the film distribution market to understand the trends, opportunities, and challenges that you may face. This includes researching the different types of distribution such as theatrical, digital, television, and streaming.
Develop a Distribution Network. Develop a distribution network to ensure that your films are seen by the widest possible audience. This includes developing relationships with theaters, television networks, streaming services, and other media outlets.
Secure Funding. Secure funding for your film distribution business. This can include investments from private investors, grants, or loans.
Acquire Films. Acquire the rights to distribute a variety of films. This can include independent films, studio films, foreign films, or documentaries.
Market the Films. Develop a marketing strategy to promote the films that you are distributing. This can include advertising campaigns, screenings, press releases, and social media campaigns.
Distribute Films. Distribute the films to the appropriate outlets. This can include digital downloads, DVDs, streaming services, or television networks.
Track Sales. Track the sales of your films to determine which films are performing well and which are not. Use this data to adjust your marketing strategy and improve your distribution efforts.

Maintaining an up-to-date and capable film distribution network requires a concerted effort from those involved. By investing in efficient and cost-effective methods of distribution, such as digital delivery platforms, distributors can ensure that their films reach audiences quickly and securely. Distributors should also strive to keep abreast of the latest trends and technologies, such as virtual reality and 3D printing, as these can help to broaden the reach of their films.

distributors should work to build strong relationships with theaters, streaming services, and other outlets, as this will help to ensure that their films reach the widest possible audience. Finally, distributors should place an emphasis on customer service, as this will help to build trust between them and their audiences. By following these steps, distributors can ensure that their films are seen by the largest possible number of people.

You may want to check Film Critic, Film Location Manager, and Film Sound Editor for alternative.

Job Description

Film Distributor Sales Manager: Responsible for developing and executing sales strategies for films, managing a sales team, and liaising with key industry partners.
Film Distributor Marketing Manager: Responsible for developing and executing marketing plans for films, managing a marketing team, and coordinating with sales and production teams.
Film Distributor Public Relations Manager: Responsible for developing and executing public relations campaigns for films, managing press junkets, and managing relationships with media outlets.
Film Distributor Acquisition Manager: Responsible for negotiating and acquiring rights to films, managing the acquisition budget, and managing relationships with production companies.
Film Distributor Financial Analyst: Responsible for analyzing financials of films, creating financial models, and providing guidance on pricing and revenue projections.
Film Distributor Business Development Manager: Responsible for identifying new business opportunities, negotiating contracts, and fostering relationships with key industry partners.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of film distribution markets.
Understanding of contract law and negotiation skills.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment.
Experience in market analysis, financial forecasting, and budgeting.
Understanding of digital formats and media promotion techniques.
Ability to establish relationships with filmmakers, producers, and other industry professionals.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
An understanding of copyright laws, licensing agreements, and other legal matters.
Ability to develop innovative strategies for marketing films.

The ability to effectively distribute films is a critical factor in determining their success. To ensure a film reaches its potential audience and generates maximum revenue, distributors must have a thorough understanding of the industry, the target audiences, and marketing strategies. Having strong partnerships with distributors, exhibitors, and marketers is essential in order to create a successful distribution plan.

having a keen eye for quality and potential in films is also key. The ability to recognize a movie's potential and capitalize on it can make or break a film's success. Without the skill of film distribution, filmmakers would be unable to share their stories with the world and be unable to make a living from their art.

Film Makeup Artist, Film Historian, and Film Set Designer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in film distribution?
How do you keep up with industry trends and changes?
What strategies do you use to ensure maximum exposure for films?
How do you develop relationships with exhibitors and other industry partners?
What challenges have you faced in the film distribution process?
How do you create and manage a successful marketing campaign?
What strategies do you use to ensure successful box office performance?
How do you handle piracy and copyright issues?
How would you approach negotiating with exhibitors or other industry partners?
How do you ensure the success of your film releases?

Common Tools in Industry

Media Distribution Platform. A software platform that enables the distribution of digital media such as movies, TV shows, and music over the internet. (eg: Vimeo OTT)
Digital Rights Management (DRM) System. A system designed to protect and manage the distribution of digital content, such as movies and TV shows. (eg: Apple FairPlay DRM)
Video Hosting Platform. A platform that allows users to upload, share, and view videos online. (eg: YouTube)
Content Delivery Network (CDN). A network of servers that distributes content across multiple geographic locations to ensure fast delivery. (eg: Akamai CDN)
Video Encoding Software. Software used to convert files from one format to another, such as from digital video to streaming formats. (eg: Handbrake)
Digital Media Player. A device that can playback digital media, such as movies and TV shows. (eg: Apple TV)
Advertising Platforms. Platforms that allow advertisers to display ads on websites, apps, and other digital channels. (eg: Google Ads)

Professional Organizations to Know

Motion Picture Association (MPA)
Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)
International Association of Film Distributors Associations (IAFDA)
National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO)
Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA)
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE)
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)
International Documentary Association (IDA)
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)

We also have Film Producer, Film Publicist, and Film Director jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Independent Film Distributor. A company or individual who acquires the rights to distribute independent films. These companies typically specialize in the distribution of art-house, low-budget, or niche films that are not distributed by the major studios.
Major Studio Distributor. A company or individual that acquires the rights to distribute films from one of the major studios. These companies typically focus on mainstream films with wide appeal and high production budgets.
Domestic Distributor. A company or individual that acquires the rights to distribute films within a specific country or region.
International Distributor. A company or individual that acquires the rights to distribute films beyond a specific country or region.
Video-On-Demand (VOD) Distributor. A company or individual that acquires the rights to distribute films through streaming platforms such as Netflix or Hulu.
Home Video Distributor. A company or individual that acquires the rights to distribute films through physical formats such as DVD, Blu-ray, or VHS.
Theatrical Distributor. A company or individual that acquires the rights to distribute films in theaters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a film distributor?

A film distributor is a company or individual responsible for marketing and distributing films. They are typically responsible for securing theatrical, television, streaming, and home video release for films.

What is the role of a film distributor?

The role of a film distributor is to secure distribution deals for films, oversee advertising and promotion for the film, and ensure the film is being released in the right markets. They also handle financial arrangements with theaters, negotiate revenue splits with exhibitors, and generally ensure that the film is reaching its full potential.

What are the different types of film distributors?

There are three main types of film distributors: theatrical, television/streaming, and home video. Theatrical distributors are responsible for securing theatrical releases for films, while television/streaming distributors are responsible for securing television and streaming releases. Home video distributors are responsible for securing home video releases.

How do film distributors make money?

Film distributors make money by taking a percentage of the revenue generated from the theatrical, television/streaming, or home video releases of a film. They also collect fees from exhibitors and distributors, as well as from advertising and promotional campaigns.

What is the average budget for a film distributor?

The average budget for a film distributor can vary widely depending on the type of release and the size of the distributor. Generally, theatrical distributors may have budgets in the range of $500,000 to $1 million, while television/streaming distributors may have budgets in the range of $50,000 to $500,000. Home video distributors typically have lower budgets, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

Web Resources

MRTS MFA: Educational Film Distribution: Edu Distributors guides.library.unt.edu
Film Producer - Everything You Need to Know - NFI www.nfi.edu
Film Distribution in the Digital Age: Pirates and www.academia.edu