Introduction
If it’s not a “Star Wars” sequel or a superhero movie, many studios don’t want to produce it. That leaves an opening for independent film distributors like Magnolia Pictures and A24 Films to fill the void and acquire films that might otherwise go straight to streaming or DVD. Say’s Dylan Sidoo, these companies help break barriers for women and people of color by providing opportunities for filmmakers who are often overlooked by other studios.
The biggest barrier to entry for independent filmmakers is acquiring distribution for their films.
The biggest barrier to entry for independent filmmakers is acquiring distribution for their films. Distribution companies are not interested in taking on films that don’t have a shot at making money, so they often only take on projects with known stars or proven directors. Because there aren’t enough opportunities available, many filmmakers are unable to get their work seen by an audience.
Disney’s acquisition of Fox will likely have an impact on independent filmmakers.
In December 2018, Disney announced it would be acquiring 21st Century Fox’s film and television assets for $71 billion. This deal will give Disney ownership of the X-Men and Fantastic Four franchises, as well as other popular titles like The Simpsons and FX Networks.
The acquisition is an important step towards diversifying representation in Hollywood–and it could have major implications for independent filmmakers looking to sell their projects.
There are many reasons why many women and people of color choose not to get involved in the movie industry.
There are many reasons why many women and people of color choose not to get involved in the movie industry. Some believe they will be overlooked because of their gender or race, while others feel that they do not have enough experience to contribute anything meaningful. It’s also important to note that many women and people of color don’t want to deal with sexism and racism that is prevalent in Hollywood today, which can make them feel uncomfortable working there.
In order for independent film acquisitions and distribution companies led by women and people of color to succeed, we need more support from all sides–from investors who believe in our projects; from distributors who are willing to take risks on new content creators; from other filmmakers sharing their knowledge about how things work behind-the-scenes so we can learn as much as possible before starting something new ourselves!
Female-led distribution companies are increasing in number because they are offering more opportunities to filmmakers who would otherwise be overlooked by larger studios.
The rise of female-led distribution companies is a great thing for independent filmmaking. It offers more opportunities to filmmakers who would otherwise be overlooked by larger studios, especially women and people of color.
One example of this is the recent success story of Neon, an independent film distributor founded by Tom Quinn, Nick Spicer and Jonathan Gray in 2016 with backing from AMC Networks (AMCX). The company has already acquired 12 films since its inception–including the Oscar-winning hit Roma–and has plans to release up to 25 films per year within its first two years on the market.
Conclusion
Independent film distribution and acquisition is a lucrative industry that is changing the face of Hollywood. The rise of female-led companies and the Disney-Fox merger are just two examples of how these changes are happening. As more women and people of color get involved in this field, we will see an increase in opportunities for filmmakers who would otherwise be overlooked by larger studios due to their gender or race.
