INDIE RIGHTS ~ A Fine Distribution Option
Well, it’s me. It’s him. It’s T.I.M. At American Film Market 2024, I had the pleasure of hanging out with my friends at Indie Rights, an innovative, independent movie studio that prides itself on having a personal touch when it comes to producing and distributing movies and TV. Linda Nelson and Michael Madison are the company’s co-founders. Speaking with Linda Nelson and Michael Madison, they enthusiastically expressed support for independent cinema, film, and art and are doing great things at AFM. They represent hundreds of new films but only inquire about finished works. Once it’s played at film festivals and you are ready to go then they will take on your project. But in the industry, nothing is guaranteed. Mark Savage and I approached them with our movie Hell’s Coming for You. We went through acquisitions leader Beth Dewey. At first, they knew Mark Savage from past work, so I needed to introduce myself and go through the process. Now, I have a movie out, and it’s on Amazon, Tubi, Google Play, and YouTube movies. We did a physical media release, so we have Blu-ray and DVDs, and they take the film to Conventions and other markets like AFM. They sell and market, but you must also do your fair share of marketing as the filmmaker. They put all the money in and only take 20% from the backend. It’s a pretty good deal for being an Independent filmmaker and making 80% of the profit.
Every year, Indie Rights does a mixer at AFM for its members. Movie posters of whom they represent hang on the walls, which was one piece of advice Linda offered: your movie poster better be set up as clickbait. As far as trailers, they should be at the most two minutes. Great advice! Food covered one side of the wall, and we can’t forget networking. I had never officially met Linda Nelson in person, so I found her and introduced myself when I went to the mixer. We did a Zoom call once, but she probably doesn’t remember me. But it was exciting to put names to the faces finally. It was a great opportunity to talk with her one-on-one, and I learned she is always on the cusp of the latest technology and information on the business. I found that out when she showed me this drone running for $600 that could do facial recognition. It was small and easy to use. It was wild! Think about it: a killer is chasing you through the woods, and this drone is doing an aerial shot, following your movements. It’s huge for the industry. Imagine what that can do for production value. It’s all very exciting!
So, at this mixer, plenty of filmmakers are hobnobbing and schmoozing to get funding for their project or have it in post-production and want to get it distributed for the world to see. I met people at the bar downstairs and brought them up. I literally felt like the Bella of the ball. It was a great opportunity, and wonderful that they provided it to their Indie Rights family. So, to sit down with them in person for the first time was a treat. (Video below) I asked questions, but the answer I wanted to know was, what did they think about AFM being in Las Vegas? Linda wasn’t hesitant in responding. She liked Los Angeles because that’s where the film market is, but she added, “I like that all the distributors are in one building. I think it’s a positive thing because they all benefit from it.”
That was well said. This year’s change of scenery for AFM is an adjustment for everyone, so time will only tell if it benefits all.
Head to IndieRights.com for more info and to submit your finished movie that meets their requirements.
About Author
