Do Film Festival Laurels Actually Matter for Selling Your Movie?
Let me say something that may sound harsh: nobody cares about your film festival laurels. At least, not in the way most filmmakers …
Tom Malloy
Why AVOD Is Where Indie Films Make Money Now
If you’re making independent films today, you need to understand one thing: AVOD is where indie films make money now. When we talk …
Why Your Movie Trailer Matters More Than Your Movie
If you take nothing else from this, understand this: your movie trailer matters more than your movie when it comes to getting people …
Why Most Indie Films Don’t Make Money (And How to Fix It)
Most indie films don’t make money. That’s just the truth. And it’s not because the filmmakers aren’t talented. It’s because they’re not thinking …
The Mid-Budget Indie Film Problem No One Wants to Talk About
For years, there was a clear range in independent film budgets. Under $2 million was low budget. $3 to $8 million was mid-range. …
What Sales Agents Do at Film Markets
If you’ve ever wondered what sales agents do at film markets, you’re not alone. A lot of filmmakers imagine deals happening instantly at …
What Is an Option Agreement? The Smart Way to Control a Screenplay Without Buying It
If you’re producing indie films, understanding an option agreement can save you thousands of dollars — and a lot of stress. Here’s the …
Film Distribution Windowing Is Changing (And That’s Good News for Indie Filmmakers)
If you’re planning your release strategy right now, you need to understand film distribution windowing — because the old rules don’t really apply …
What Makes a Film Marketable?
What makes a film marketable?It’s a simple question, but the answer is not simple at all. And here’s the frustrating part: you can …
Film Rights Explained: What Filmmakers Need to Know Before Signing a Deal
When people talk about film distribution, one of the most confusing parts for filmmakers is film rights. And honestly, that confusion is where …
Putting 2025 Behind Us and Creating a Film Business Turnaround in 2026
Let’s be honest—2025 is over. It didn’t go the way a lot of us hoped. And that’s okay. What matters now is what …
Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail (And How to Set Real New Year Goals That Work)
Every January, the same thing happens. People make New Year’s resolutions, get excited for a few weeks, and then slowly fall off. The …
How AVOD Filmmaking on YouTube Is Changing the Game
A lot of filmmakers are still thinking the old way—make a movie, put it on TVOD, hope people pay to rent it. But …
When Things Fall Apart, Let It Play Out
I want to start with a simple idea that has helped me a lot over the years: when things fall apart, you don’t …
How to Write the Right Pitch Email to a Film Distributor (Without Making the Usual Mistakes)
When you’re reaching out with a pitch email to a film distributor, you have one goal: get the acquisitions person to actually click …
What Is a Real Film Package (and Why Most Filmmakers Get It Wrong)
If you’ve ever tried to get a movie off the ground, you’ve probably heard the phrase film package. And I can tell you …
What Sales Agents Want in Your Finished Film
If you’re wondering what sales agents look for in a finished film, you’re not alone. Markets are always right around the corner. And …
Producer vs Executive Producer: What Film Credits Really Mean
It amazes me how many people working in this business don’t actually understand how film credits work. Especially when it comes to the …
What Film Festivals Actually Help Sell Your Movie
What film festivals actually improve the odds of selling your movie? If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’ve said again …
Film Deliverables: What Distributors Really Want
When you finally sign a deal with a sales agent or distributor, you’ll get hit with a list of film deliverables. And sometimes, …
Should You Work for Free on Film Sets?
If you’re starting out in the film industry, you’ve probably asked yourself if you should work for free on film sets? It’s a …
The Truth About Minimum Guarantees in Film Distribution
When you’re making a movie, one of the big terms you’ll hear tossed around is minimum guarantees in film distribution. At first, it …
What Sales Agents Do at Film Markets: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
A lot of filmmakers don’t fully understand what sales agents do at film markets like AFM, Cannes, or the Berlin EFM. I hear …
3 Pitch Deck Mistakes That Can Cost You Film Investors
When it comes to raising money for your film, the pitch deck is often the first thing a potential investor sees. It’s the …
How to Pick the Right First Feature Film
If you’re a filmmaker wondering how to pick your first feature film, let me share a little truth with you: your first feature …
The 3 Things Every Film Investor Wants
Over the years, I’ve pitched all kinds of film investors. Some deals ended up with money in the bank, and some didn’t. That’s …
How to Get Your Indie Film Into a Major Film Festival
If you’ve ever dreamed of getting your indie film into Sundance, Toronto, Cannes, or South by Southwest, you already know it can feel …
How to Choose the Right Film Festivals for Your Indie Film (Without Wasting Money)
Don’t Waste Money on the Wrong Film Festivals Let’s talk about something that costs indie filmmakers thousands every year submitting to film festivals …
Understanding Minimum Guarantees (MGs) in Film Distribution
If you’re trying to get a sales agent or distributor to pick up your indie film, you’ve probably heard the term minimum guarantee, …
Understanding the Film Investor Waterfall: How Money Flows Back to Your Investors
If you’re raising money for your movie, there’s one thing you absolutely need to have in your business plan—the film investor waterfall. It’s …