Collaborative Releasing Initiative FAQs
- What is it?The COLLABORATIVE RELEASING INITIATIVE is a program of The Film Collaborative (TFC). It was set up to balance two concurrent strategies with regard to film distribution: the desire to sell a film as broadly and as best as possible; and prudence to also have a robust backup distribution plan that covers any remaining rights, in order to ensure that the film achieves the greatest audience reach and revenue possible. The initiative also takes into account that at times the backup plan will be a better option than traditional sales, especially where the buyers’ offers are not as robust as one would have liked them to be.In order to qualify for the initiative, TFC would handle sales, and then work with the filmmakers to coordinate all other distribution, either in coordination with, or instead of, sales options (offers). Please see the press release for more information.
- What Type of Films Can Apply?Presently, we are limiting this program to feature-length documentaries only. Eventually, we will expand to include narrative features as well.
- How to Apply?Write to us at apply@collaborativereleasing.com or call (323) 610-8128
- How Does the Pairing of Films with Educational Distribution Partners Work?TFC will reach out to all the appropriate educational distribution partners and then garner which ones are interested in the film. After that, TFC will discuss each option with the filmmakers. TFC will help the filmmakers evaluate and decide between options. As with any distribution at TFC, the filmmakers always make the decisions.
- Is TFC in the middle of any of the partner distribution or revenue?No. TFC will never be in the middle of any partner distribution. TFC will not take any commissions or revenues in connection with any distribution apart from what it does directly and at the filmmakers’ request.
- So, how does TFC get paid, then?Festival Distribution: Assuming TFC handles festival distribution and that festival distribution is not in conflict with any sales, TFC takes 50% of the film rental revenue. The reason TFC takes 50% stems from the heavy workload, which involces the work of 4 staffers, and includes handling masters, screeners, trafficking, accounting, and other work that does not directly lead to revenue for which TFC is not paid extra.Sales: TFC can either take 10% for domestic (including any worldwide deals done with US companies) and 15% for international, or work on a flat fee basis (to be determined depending on the film and premiere status).Theatrical: Fees vary based on scope of release and depending on what other services TFC is providing (e.g. grassroots marketing, awards campaign, social media, etc.). Usually TFC will take a combination of backend commission and some flat fee (though TFC’s prices and fees are very competitively priced and meant to be affordable for most filmmakers).Digital: Should filmmaker wish to avail themselves of our flat-fee digital distribution program, a $500 admin fee is built in.Please note that TFC does not get paid for overall advising and strategizing or for any distribution done by its partners or any other companies (other than TFC’s sales commission as applicable).
- Who is contracting with buyers for any sales?TFC always encourages filmmakers to do deals directly with buyers so that the contracts are between the buyers and the film production company. This way TFC is not in the middle of the revenue flow.
- How long is the evaluation process? Will I learn if TFC has chosen my film?We’ll endeavor to get back to filmmakers within 3-4 weeks. We will always provide filmmakers with a definitive answer as to whether they have been selected for the initiative.