How to navigate sales agents, distributors, streaming, rights and new distribution models and build the right path from finished movie to audience.

Making your movie is only part of the journey.

Once the movie is ready, independent filmmakers face an entirely different challenge: How do you actually get it distributed?

Should you approach a sales agent or a distributor? Do you need a theatrical release? What is the difference between TVoD, SVOD and AVOD? Should you give one company worldwide rights or work territory by territory? And what happens if traditional distributors aren't interested?

In this live session, we will break down the independent movie distribution landscape and look at the different paths filmmakers can take to bring their movies to audiences.

We will explore traditional distribution, sales agents, streaming platforms, theatrical releases, self-distribution and hybrid approaches, while also looking at the business terms filmmakers need to understand before signing away their rights.
But distribution is no longer only about finding one company willing to take your movie.
New technologies, direct-to-audience opportunities and digital platforms are giving independent filmmakers more options to build their own distribution strategies, combine different partners and retain greater control over their movies.
The goal of this session is not to tell you that there is one correct way to distribute an independent movie.
It is to help you understand the options, recognize the advantages and risks of different approaches, and make more informed decisions about the commercial life of your movie.

WHAT WE'LL EXPLORE
• When you should start thinking about distribution
• How the independent movie distribution landscape works
• Sales agents, distributors and aggregators: what they do and how they differ
• How to approach sales agents and distributors
• What distributors and platforms look for when evaluating independent movies
• Film festivals and their role in distribution
• Film markets and how they fit into the process
• Theatrical distribution and when it makes sense
• Understanding TVoD, SVOD and AVOD
• Streaming platforms and digital distribution
• Why making your movie available on a platform is not the same as actually having an effective distribution strategy
• Domestic versus international distribution
• Worldwide deals versus territory-by-territory licensing
• Exclusive versus non-exclusive rights
• Understanding distribution windows
• Minimum guarantees and advances
• Revenue-share models
• Distribution commissions, fees and recoupable expenses
• Licensing periods and contract terms
• Sublicensing and rights reversion
• What filmmakers should look for before signing a distribution agreement
• How to evaluate whether a distribution offer actually makes sense for your movie
• Delivery requirements and materials you should prepare
• What happens when traditional distributors or sales agents say no
• Self-distribution: when taking greater control can make sense
• The opportunities and responsibilities that come with self-distribution
• Hybrid distribution and combining different distribution partners and channels
• Direct-to-audience distribution
• New and creative approaches to independent movie distribution
• How your audience and marketing strategy affect your distribution opportunities
• Common distribution mistakes independent filmmakers make
• Live Q&A

LIVE + PERMANENT ACCESS

October 10, 2026 | 8:00 PM CEST (Berlin)

Approximate duration: 2 hours including live Q&A

INTERNATIONAL TIMES

Los Angeles: 11:00 AM PDT | October 10
New York: 2:00 PM EDT | October 10
London: 7:00 PM BST | October 10
Berlin: 8:00 PM CEST | October 10
Sydney / Melbourne: 5:00 AM AEDT | October 11

You can join the live session through AlefCine Stream on your laptop, smartphone, tablet or TV using our supported apps and devices.

CAN'T JOIN LIVE?

Your purchase also includes permanent access to the recording after the event.
You do not need to attend live to benefit from the session.
The recording will not be sold separately afterwards. Permanent recording access is available only to users who purchase the live event.

LIVE Q&A

Participants joining live can submit their own questions during the session.
This gives you the opportunity to ask questions about your own distribution situation, potential deals, release strategy or the different options available for bringing your movie to audiences.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

This live session is designed for:

• Independent filmmakers
• Independent producers and directors
• Filmmakers with a completed or nearly completed movie
• Filmmakers preparing for festivals or film markets
• Filmmakers currently looking for sales agents or distributors
• Filmmakers evaluating distribution offers
• Filmmakers considering self-distribution
• Filmmakers interested in streaming and digital distribution
• Producers who want to understand distribution before financing or producing their next movie
• Anyone who wants greater clarity about how an independent movie gets from finished production to paying audiences

Whether your movie is still in development, entering festivals, looking for distribution or already finished with nowhere to go next, this session is designed to help you understand the choices available and build a distribution strategy that fits your movie rather than simply accepting the first path presented to you.

Beyond the Movie | One journey from movie project to audience