During the film distribution process, reaching wider audiences is essential for content creators. So, let us show you how to sell your film to streaming platforms.
With the rise of streaming platforms, the routes you can take to showcase your content have expanded dramatically. However, merely uploading your film to free sites doesn’t guarantee its success – you’ll need to know how to sell your film to wider audiences.
The film distribution process can be daunting, especially when you’re talking to streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime. However, to maximise your content reach and engagement, it’s important to understand the importance of dubbing in amplifying the success of your film on these streaming platforms, too.
So, how can you sell your film to streaming platforms and unlock opportunities for exposure? Let’s dive into it.
Understanding the Film Distribution Process
The film distribution process can be divided into several key stages: production, marketing, and distribution.
Platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime have become major players in the film industry, offering filmmakers direct access to global audiences without the need for traditional distribution methods – such as theatres or physical media like DVDs and Blu-ray.
Once you’ve produced your content and worked out marketing tactics, you’re met with the distribution stage… how will audiences discover your film?
Nowadays, filmmakers often bypass traditional distribution channels and opt for streaming platforms. Understanding the specific guidelines and requirements for each streaming platform you wish to distribute to is critical – for example, Netflix prioritise high-quality content whereas Amazon Prime may have more leeway in terms of content diversity.
Monetisation on Streaming Platforms
When learning how to sell your film, it’s key to understand how different streaming platforms generate profit. Most streaming platforms fall into one of three categories, and it’s important to consider which one will work best for your type of content.
Advertising-based Video on Demand (AVOD) – Content on AVOD platforms is free to view but features advertisements throughout, allowing the platform to generate revenue. The most popular example of an AVOD platform is YouTube.
Subscription-based Video on Demand (SVOD) – With SVOD platforms, audiences pay a monthly subscription to gain access to a catalogue of content. Netflix is the biggest example of a SVOD streaming platform.
Transactional-based Video on Demand (TVOD) – Lastly, audiences on TVOD platforms are required to pay to watch each individual film by either buying or renting it. One of the best-known examples of a TVOD platform is iTunes.
Which Model is Best for My Film?
The recommended style of streaming platform to go for are AVOD and SVOD, but it’s always wise to keep TVOD as an extra once your content gains more traction.
TVOD Distribution
If your marketing budget is on the higher end and your film features some well-known actors, we encourage you to distribute your film to TVOD streaming platforms – this will help you gain success in the short term. However, keep in mind that this style of streaming platform often has low fees and keeps a large majority of sales. Vimeo is notorious for retaining 90% of content sales.
You’ll also have to do the majority of your own marketing on these platforms. Vimeo relies solely on your own traffic and marketing skills, but Amazon Prime may hold the reins a little more.
AVOD & SVOD Distribution
With a lower budget and less topical content, we recommend distributing your film to AVOD and SVOD streaming platforms. It’s important to distribute your film to as many of these platforms as possible, as each one is only likely to bring in a small amount of revenue unless you have signed an exclusivity deal.
What Happens When My Film is Accepted?
Once your film has been accepted for distribution onto a streaming platform, now comes the negotiations. This includes licensing terms, fees, and revenue-sharing agreements, alongside exclusivity agreements.
It’s important that you negotiate accordingly and take the time to read through the terms of your agreement to ensure you’re receiving fair compensation and retain the rights to your intellectual property.
Once your contracts are finalised, your film will be released onto the streaming platform at the agreed-upon time.
Enhancing Your Content on Streaming Platforms
So, you know how to sell your film, and you’ve bagged yourself a deal to distribute your film to some streaming platforms, and you’ve got a marketing plan in place… but what should you do now?
Now your content is on a global streaming platform, the next logical step is to dub it.
By investing in dubbing, you can tap into international markets and significantly increase your content’s reach. For example, an English film dubbed into other languages not only appeals to English speakers but reaches viewers across Europe, Asia, and beyond to secure your global presence.
Viewer Engagement & Retention
Dubbing your content goes beyond translation. It allows you to breathe life into characters, making them relatable to international audiences in their native language.
When done right, dubbing keeps the emotional and cultural nuances of your film’s original dialogue, helping to ensure that audiences are captivated throughout.
Still not convinced?
Just look at the success of Attack on Titan on Netflix, whose popularity soared internationally due partly to its incredible dubbing in various languages. Fans from around the world felt connected thanks to the localised audio and translation!
Yes, dubbing is great for reaching wider audiences, but it also encourages the streaming platform’s loyalty to your content. When audiences associate a particular level of dubbing with your films, they are far more likely to seek out and engage with any future distributions on the platform.
Studio Ghibli has created a dedicated global following thanks to the high-quality dubs in their films, providing audiences with a superior viewing experience.
I’m Convinced! What Platforms Can I Sell My Content to?
Fret not. We’ve compiled a list of all the major streaming platforms you can sell your film to. To keep things simple, we’ve categorised them by the type of monetisation.
Transactional
TVOD is one of the better options when trying to distribute your film to streaming platforms, you can easily hire an aggregator for a small fee that will be able distribute your content.
TVOD platforms we recommend are:
- iTunes
- Google Play/YouTube
- Fandango
- Vimeo
There are also TVOD streaming platforms that only a distributor can access, which include a subset of TVOD known as Electronic Sell Through VOD (ESTVOD) which is used for paid on-demand content through cable and satellite providers. ESTVOD also includes some hotel chains. However, this has become less popular in recent times thanks to the accessibility of free Wi-Fi.
Subscription
Learning how to sell your film to Netflix isn’t an easy job. Most major streaming platforms don’t have open applications for content distribution – you’ll need to go through a distributor.
SVOD platforms we recommend are:
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Disney+
- HBO
It’s important to keep in mind that distributors will pitch several films to these streaming giants each month, so your chances of success can be quite low.
Advertising Supported
With AVOD platforms, it is essential you go through a distributor or sales agent, as the platforms likely won’t speak to you otherwise.
Here are the AVOD platforms we recommend:
- TubiTV
- PlutoTV
- YouTube
You can also put your content on YouTube by signing up to the platform and uploading it, but we generally don’t encourage that for feature film content, as you can also offer your film to viewers for a one-off fee.
Conclusion
Navigating the film distribution process can be tricky work, especially when targeting streaming platforms. However, thanks to the rise in these platforms, you have unprecedented access to global audiences.
But success requires more than distributing your film – you need an understanding of each platform’s requirements and monetisation models. Additionally, investing in dubbing greatly enhances your contents appeal and accessibility, especially internationally.
By leveraging all these strategies and choosing the correct platform for your content, you can maximise your exposure and engagement.
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