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 about indie film distribution and sales early enough.
I’ve seen this over and over again—even in my own career. You get excited, you focus on making the best movie possible, and that’s it. But if you’re not thinking about how the film is going to sell, you’re already behind.
Let’s break down what’s really going on—and how you fix it.
The Big Mistake: Only Focusing on the Movie
Here’s the problem. Most filmmakers are only thinking about the creative.
They’re asking:
- Is this a great script?
- Can I make this look good?
- How do I get this shot?
Those are all important. You should make the best movie possible.
But that’s only half the job.
The other half is asking:
- How is this movie going to make money?
- Who is going to buy it?
- What’s the path to distribution?
If you don’t have answers to those questions early, you’re making a movie without a business plan.
Indie Film Distribution Starts With Marketability
If you want a real shot at making money, you need to think about indie film distribution from day one. And that starts with marketability.
Three big things matter:
1. The Script
Is it a script that people respond to right away? Not just your friends—but people in the industry.
2. The Cast
Do you have recognizable names that can help sell the movie? Even one or two can make a difference.
3. The Genre
This is huge. Some genres sell. Some don’t.
Action, horror, thriller, sci-fi, family, faith-based—these all have built-in audiences.
But edgy dramas and comedies? Much tougher.
And the biggest mistake? Trying to make a movie that’s “everything.”
When a movie is all genres, it’s usually no genre—and nobody knows how to sell it.
Build Relationships Before You Need Them
Another mistake I see all the time—filmmakers wait until the movie is done to think about distribution.
That’s too late.
You should be building relationships with sales agents and distributors early.
That means going to film markets like:
- AFM (American Film Market)
- EFM (European Film Market in Berlin)
- Cannes Marché du Film
These are real business environments. This is where deals start.
Even if your film isn’t ready, you can say:
“Hey, I’m shooting this in September. Here’s what it is.”
That’s how relationships begin.
Use LOIs to Help Raise Money
Here’s where this gets really powerful.
If you build those relationships early, you can ask for an LOI—a Letter of Intent.
That’s not a guarantee, but it shows that a distributor is interested.
And now when you go to investors, you’re not just saying:
“Trust me, this will sell.”
You’re saying:
“There’s already interest. There’s a path.”
That changes the conversation completely.
Think About Marketing From Day One
The last piece is marketing.
Most filmmakers think about marketing after the movie is done. That’s backwards.
You should be thinking:
- Who is the audience?
- How do I reach them?
- Can I start building that audience now?
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about making a movie.
It’s about getting people to watch it.
Make a Great Movie… But Have a Plan
Look, you should absolutely focus on making a great film. That matters.
But if you stop there, you’re missing the bigger picture.
From the start, you need to think about:
- Marketability
- Distribution
- Sales
- Audience
Because when you do that, you’re not just making a movie…
You’re building a real path to making your money back.
