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Documentary Film Distributors and Wholesalers Basics

Learn what documentary film distributors do so you can negotiate good film deals

By Rachel Davy, Writer/Editor
Whether you’ve finished making your documentary or are in the planning stages, sooner or later you’re going to be working with documentary film distributors to negotiate a deal to distribute your film. There are many documentary distribution companies that specialize in buying and promoting certain kinds of films. For example, if your documentary is about health and social issues or is educational, there is a documentary distribution company for you.

Make a list of documentary film distribution companies to which you plan to submit your film to get you one step closer to having audiences and critics applaud your efforts. Here are some additional things to consider about documentary film distributors and wholesalers basics:

1. Learn what documentary film distribution companies do to promote and sell your work.

2. See if your film meets the subject criteria of documentary film distributors.

3. Gather information about the legal aspects and contracts of working with documentary film distribution companies.

 

Find out what documentary film distributors and wholesalers do and what you can expect from them

Distributors either work for large studios or are independent and deal with films that haven't been financed by a Hollywood studio. In the case of documentary film production companies, there are those that work with Hollywood studios and those that don't. The type of film you make will determine which kind of distributor you are going to work with.
Try: Read the overview of what independent documentary distributors do at Skillset Film. Read about the services provided by Independent Television Service to learn what this television documentary film funder offers to those who want to work with them.

View the subject lists of documentary film companies to see if your film meets their criteria

Most documentary film companies have a listing of film titles or information about the kinds of films they are interested in distributing so that filmmakers can determine if their films meet the distributors criteria or not. This will make it easier for you to decide where to submit your film as well as who would be most likely to want to distribute it.
Try: Go to Bullfrog Films, which is a leading distributor of environmental documentaries. Fanlight Productions distributes documentaries that are on health and social issues, while Icarus Films is a documentary film wholesaler on various subjects for filmmakers from around the world. Visit Film Specific to learn about the online course it offers about film distribution that features information about how to work with independent and documentary film wholesalers and distributors.

Learn about contracts and other legal aspects of dealing with documentary film companies

Read all contracts carefully, and make sure that the terms are agreeable to you. Ask for clarification if there are any ambiguities to ensure that you are getting a good deal. Remember you are negotiating for your documentary film sales, so take your time before you sign on the dotted line.
Try: Go to Mark Litwak's Entertainment Law Resources to read the list of things you should know about film distribution strategies and tactics. View the video distribution contract on Copyright Crash Course to familiarize yourself with the negotiating process and to learn what expect from documentary film companies.

 

  • Consider working with a documentary sales agent to help get your film distributed. Documentary film agents will take your films to distributors and negotiate deals for you.

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