Blog
Articles on filmmaking technique, production planning, and industry knowledge.
Showing 12 of 29 posts (Page 2 of 3)
What Happens to Your Film If Your Sales Agent Goes Out of Business?
Covers the legal and practical implications when a film's international sales agent closes, folds, or becomes insolvent -- including how to recover your rights, what happens to existing sub-distribution deals, and how to reposition the film for new representation.
The Best International Co-Production Treaties Explained
How bilateral and multilateral co-production treaties work, which countries have the most active treaty networks, how to use a treaty co-production to access double the public funding, and what the creative and financial minimums actually require.
Regional Film Commissions: How to Find Incentives Where You're Shooting
A practical guide to US state and regional film commission incentives -- how tax credits, rebates, and cash grants work, which states offer the most competitive programs in 2025 and 2026, and how to actually apply.
Which Film Grants Don't Require US Citizenship?
A country-agnostic guide to film grants open to international filmmakers -- covering the Sundance Documentary Fund, Hubert Bals Fund, Jan Vrijman Fund, Chicken and Egg Pictures, and a dozen others, with eligibility rules and award amounts.
The Difference Between a Sales Agent, a Distributor, and an Aggregator
A plain-language breakdown of three distinct roles in film distribution -- what each party does, how they are compensated, when you need them, and which one fits where your film actually is right now.
Which Film Festivals Pay Screening Fees?
An honest breakdown of which film festivals actually compensate filmmakers for screening their work, how much those fees are, and whether the financial picture changes when you factor in travel grants and waivers.
Music Licensing vs. Hiring a Composer: The Real Cost Comparison for Indie Films
A direct cost comparison between sync licensing existing music and hiring an original composer for indie film, covering upfront fees, rights ownership, cue sheet obligations, E&O insurance implications, and which approach makes financial sense at different budget levels.
Crowdfunding for Filmmakers: What Works in 2026 and What Doesn't
A realistic assessment of crowdfunding in 2026 -- platform fee comparison, success rate data, reward tier strategy, marketing requirements before launch, and how crowdfunding interacts with other funding sources.
Film Grants and Funding: A Practical Guide to Finding and Winning Money for Your Film
Maps the major US and international grant sources for indie filmmakers, covers what each funder wants to see in an application, and explains how to structure a funding strategy across multiple grants, tax incentives, and equity investment.
Film Co-Production Agreements: How to Structure a Deal That Protects Everyone
Covers the legal and financial mechanics of co-production agreements -- IP ownership, territory splits, credit allocation, budget contribution ratios, and how treaty co-productions work. Includes a model term sheet.
Music Licensing for Indie Films: How Much It Costs and How to Negotiate
Explains sync licensing vs. master licensing, what fees actually look like by usage type and distribution scope, how to negotiate with publishers, and when to use library music vs. original score.
How to Build a Realistic Indie Film Budget: A Line-by-Line Breakdown
The most practical indie budget guide in the niche -- covers above-the-line vs. below-the-line, contingency calculation, fringes and payroll taxes, equipment rental formulas, and a complete sample budget for a 12-day micro-budget feature.