IFH 128: How to Get Your Film on Netflix, Hulu, iTunes & Film Distribution with Nick Soares

By Alex Ferrari | January 11, 2017 | 5
VOD, TVOD, SVOD, iTunes, Hulu, Amazon, Google Play, Crackle, PlayStation Network, X-Box, YouTube RED, VuDu, Netflix, Film distribution, Distribber, Nick soares

Film Distribution: How to Get Your Film on Netflix, Hulu & iTunes

We have all heard the horror stories of indie filmmakers getting a “film distribution deal” with a traditional distributor and never receiving a dime. In today’s digital world there are many options for indie filmmakers to monetize their content.

In the film distribution game there’s iTunes, Hulu, Amazon, Google Play, Crackle, PlayStation Network, X-Box, YouTube RED, VuDu, Netflix, and Cable VOD, but how does a filmmaker with no industry contacts get access to these platforms? Enter Nick Soares and Distribber. Check this out:

Distribber is a film distribution aggregator for iTunes, Hulu, Amazon, VuDu, Netflix, Cable VOD and much more. As an aggregator we work to receive, repair, conform, package, and deliver your film to the outlets you have chosen. Distribber allows filmmakers to keep 100% of all profits generated, which effectively removes any middlemen from taking undeserving revenue. Once your film is packaged, Distribber will deliver all assets into our partner portals to go live. Filmmakers have complete control over release dates, updates, removals, the list goes on.

Since finishing This is Meg, I’ve been figuring out a distribution plan for the film…and NO submitting to film festivals and hope for the best is not a distribution plan. I stumble across Nick and his company and was blown away.

Nick has basically opened the doors to ALL the major film distribution VOD and SVOD platforms online and the kicker is you keep 100% of the revenue your film generates, wait what? They not only accept feature film but the also take shorts and television episodes. I had to have Nick on the show and have him drop some major knowledge bombs on the tribe.

I also did a bit of hunting and found the revenue splits for the major film distribution VOD (Video on Demand) and SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand):

  • iTunes: 70/30 for EST sales (purchase) and 60/40 for VOD sales (rental).
  • Hulu: Hulu collects advertising revenue based on the number of ads viewed while watching your movie, then pays you 50% of what they collect.
  • Amazon VOD: 50 (Filmmaker) /50 (Platform)
  • Unlike iTunes and Amazon VOD, Netflix’s Watch Instantly service does not pay “per turn.” Instead, they pay a license fee for your film’s Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) rights — usually for one or two years. So, Netflix can stream your film to their subscribers as often as they wish during the term of your agreement, in exchange for the license fee Netflix pays for that term.

So I want you to get ready to have your mind blown. Enjoy my conversation with Nick Soares.

Right click here to download the MP3
Download on iTunes Direct
Watch on IFH YouTube Channel

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

SPONSORS

  1. FilmConvert – (10% OFF – CODE: HUSTLE)
  2. Hollywood Film & Television Directing Masterclass (EXCLUSIVE 50% OFF)
  3. Directing Actors Master Course – (30% OFF – CODE: HUSTLE)
  4. Get Your Film on Netflix, Hulu & Amazon & Keep 100% off the Revenue – Distribber
  5. Hollywood Camera Work: Mastering High-End Blocking and Staging (30% OFF – CODE: HUSTLE)
  6. Werner Herzog’s Filmmaking MasterClass
  7. Aaron Sorkin Screenwriting Master Class
  8. FreeFilmBook.com (Download Your FREE Filmmaking Audio Book)

KILLER RESOURCES!!!

  1. INDIE FILM SYNDICATE Filmmaking Community 
  2. IFH’s Online Film School
  3. Six Secrets to get into Film Festivals for FREE!

Action Items:

Please Note: Distribber is a sponsor of the show. I only promote products and services I’ve used and believe in and this company checks off all of those requirements and more. Power to the filmmaker!

BONUS: TOP TEN Online Filmmaking Courses

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Posted in Blog, Film Distribution, Film Festivals, Indie Film Distribution, Podcast
  • dmeske

    Looks pretty amazing!

  • Brian Mills

    Great podcast, Alex! (speaking to both the series and this episode in particular). I’ve got a question I can’t find answered anywhere: I am prepping a film to go through the aggregator process to get onto these online platforms, but I can’t find to what level I am supposed to mix the stereo audio track to.

    Do you know, Alex? (or anyone reading this). Is it -10? -6?

    Thanks!

    • Thx for the kind words. If you are going through Distribber (www.distribber.com/indiefilmhustle) then ask them directly. I wouldn’t do any mastering until you get specs from the aggregator directly. Good luck!

  • I loved it! I learned so much in such a short period of time without forgetting to laugh. And it’s so good to know that there are guys like you out there who effectively and in a smart way help filmmakers to thrive. I’m also relieved to hear that my hitherto existing ‘trusted distribution consultant’ Jason Brubaker is legit and even appreciated by you. I’m a screenwriter and aspiring producer in Berlin /Germany and it helps me tremendously to understand the new ways of distribution. I’m doing exactly the job that Nick mentioned: I educate filmmakers here in the new ways movies can be distributed. Being a learner myself, I try to be a good teacher.