How to release an independent film in theaters without a distributor?

How can you release an independent film in theaters without going through a major studio distributor. And ballpark how much would it cost (disregarding the cost of the production of the film).|||You would basically have to become your own distributor, going to small art-house theaters around the country and selling your product. That's VERY difficult. How much it costs would depend on how widely you distribute it, how many prints you make, how successful your travels are, etc.



The more common root is to do the film festival circuit. Submit your film to every festival that will look at it and it will play in theaters around the country. If it's good enough, you may get a deal that way with a small (or possibly large) distributor. You can also use the opportunity (if your film gets accepted) to establish relationships with the theater owners who are working with the film festival to try to get distribution at that theater later on (that would be a tough sell, but not impossible).



There have been a handful of films that have traveled with very few prints. Those are cult classics. American Astronaut and Rocky Horror Picture Show come to mind. It's a VERY tough road for a film. If you can't get your movie into film festivals, chalk up the production and efforts as a learning experience and go back to the drawing board and try again.



Good luck.



EDIT: I suppose, if you really want, you could do it through Fathom Events. They basically will show anything at a bunch of theaters around the country if you pay them enough money. They typically cater to corporate presentations or 1-night only events, but I'm sure if you pay them, they'll put your movie on as many screens as you want. It would be a REALLY expensive way to distribute the movie though. I don't really know how much, but I imagine it would be prohibitive.|||The way you do that is to contact the theater you want the film to show at and set it up with them. There is no real way to get a major showing at world wide with out a major studio. The best bet is to go have it shown at conventions and move up from there. Conventions get you backing on the movie!|||imdbpro





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This is not spam, however I am a member of imdb but not pro however if you are a film maker I advise you to join.





Good luck I hope your films does well.