Types of Film Distribution Agreements and What They Mean for Your Film  

Many different types of film distribution agreements exist to provide filmmakers with the opportunity to pick and choose the type of distribution that’s most appropriate for their film production. Depending on the terms of the agreement that you choose, the distribution process and how your film is experienced will vary. If you’re not sure what the different types of film distribution agreements are and what they mean, you’re not alone! 

Many filmmakers struggle to fully understand what each type of distribution agreement means. And how the agreements change the terms of their production distribution.

To help you make sense of it all we’ve listed the common types of film distribution agreements and what each of them means below.

Pre-Sale Distribution Agreements

Your film doesn’t have to be finished and finalized in order to get a distribution deal. In fact, all you really need is a proof of concept or a script that the distributor believes in and you could get pre-sale distribution in order.

Pre-sale distribution agreements guarantee that the distribution company will distribute your film. Once it’s complete as long as you abide by the terms that are set forth in your agreement. 

Pre-sale distribution agreements, sometimes referred to as pre-sale financing, involves the creation of a distribution agreement. In which the distributor agrees to purchase the film for distribution when complete in exchange for cash upfront to provide for production.

Generally a completion bond or guarantee is necessary to seal the deal.

Film Festival Distribution

Although there are not any major agreements when it comes to distributing a film. Via film festivals there are thousands of opportunities for the filmmaker.

If you’re not having much luck in securing a distribution agreement that you’re content with? You might consider entering the film into the various film festivals. Where it could then be viewed. And might be picked up for further distribution from another party.

The film festival that you choose to submit your film to will play a key role in who sees the film. And whether or not it gets picked up for further distribution so make sure to do your homework.

Submit to festivals that are most likely to respect your film’s quality and genre and will likely have your target audience present.

Film Markets & Trade Shows

Want to meet distributors to get a film distribution agreement? There are many different ways you can showcase your film to distributors. Via film markets that might be happening during film festival week.

Consider Cannes Marche Du Film market. As well as the American Film Market. Or even the Independent Filmmaker Project to name a few.

You’re likely to come up with various types of film distribution agreements if you get your film in front of the right distributors at these markets so it’s definitely worth a shot.

Negative Pick-up Deals

The negative pick-up distribution deal involves the distribution company setting a fixed price for your film. In which they agree to pay upon delivery of the final negatives.

They will not advance the cost of production the way the pre-sale distributor might. But when you have a negative pickup agreement in hand a bank or other film financiers may be more willing to help you out.

Like the presale film distribution agreement, a negative pick-up deal will most certainly require a completion guarantee. In order to secure the final signed agreement between the parties.

As you can see, there are various types of film distribution agreements. Which you may consider based on your individual needs. And what’s most likely to result in success for your production. All you have to do is get your film or the film idea in front of the right distributors for success.