Distribution is among the hardest parts of the process of producing documentary films.
Documentary filmmaking is amongst the most accessible forms of filmmaking that exist currently. It is because it is completely feasible for one person to create a complete documentary single-handedly. Even documentary crews larger than one person do not need to be anywhere near to the size of the average narrative feature film, as Andrew Ruhemann will understand. Because many filmmakers choose to make independent documentaries, most of them prefer to remain independent through as much of the distribution process as they are able to. Over recent decades the options for independent documentary distribution have increased dramatically. There was a period that the only choice a documentary filmmaker had would be to try to sell their film straight to cinemas. The innovation of VHS and DVD then permitted people to manufacture their own copies of the movie for them to sell. In recent years, the world wide web has supplied a complete new platform, where people can upload their movies online for the whole world to see.
Showbusiness is a famously hard industry to get into if you've got no connections. One of the main reasons people even go to film school and take entry-level internships and jobs is to build connections that may assist them later on. One of the more common means for a individual to make their way in to the industry would be to employ a manager or an agent. This course has existed for individuals since the early days of the industry, as Tim Parker will be well aware, but has grown over the years as receiving employment contracts from studios is now rarer. If a person hasn't made a film yet, then these experts can help guide their profession in to the best path for attaining that objective effectively. If somebody has produced a film, then agents and managers can help navigate the documentary distribution process and help with parlaying the film into future projects.
There are a wide variety of distributors out there, from streaming platforms and television channels to cinema and video store chains. Mark Herbert will be able to tell you that finding a documentary distributor can be the key ensuring the long-lasting success of the documentary movie plus the future career of the filmmaker. Distributors could be found before and following a movie is created. If before, they will probably help fund the project but may have more influence over what is made. If after, then the filmmaker has to take all of the risk however the distributor could be more tempted because of the lower costs on their end. Being awarded filmmaking grants and awards may get a filmmaker noticed by distributors, as is entering the movie to movie festivals. It is impossible to guarantee attention, but that means that every avenue is a possibility.