Good Deed Entertainment

Overview

Good Deed Entertainment (GDE) is an independent film studio based in Ashland, Ohio, dedicated to producing, financing, and distributing feature films and television content. Founded in 2012 by Scott Donley, the company moved from Los Angeles to Ashland in 2019, bringing film production to Ohio while positioning itself between Cleveland and Columbus. GDE employs approximately 10 people with annual revenue in the $1 million to $5 million range.

The company operates three divisions: GDE (main label for documentary and narrative features), Cranked Up Films (genre division for horror, sci-fi, and speculative fiction), and an international sales division launched in April 2023 at the Cannes market. GDE has released approximately 45 films in the US market and has 30 films available for worldwide distribution through its sales arm. The company does not accept unsolicited scripts or pitches but does accept finished feature submissions through its website.

Distribution Model

GDE operates a multi-platform distribution model spanning theatrical, VOD, and digital release. The company releases films across all media, often worldwide, through partnerships with major transactional platforms including Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home, and YouTube. For titles with theatrical potential, GDE handles platform releases in select US markets before expanding to digital.

The company's distribution approach is pragmatic rather than prestige-driven. GDE does not run large-scale awards campaigns or commit substantial P&A in the manner of A24 or NEON. Instead, the company focuses on targeted digital-first releases with selective theatrical engagements, keeping overhead low and relying on digital platform revenue as the primary recoupment mechanism. This model allows GDE to distribute a higher volume of titles than prestige-focused competitors: the company released 16 films in 2022 and set a target of 45 US releases in 2023.

For theatrical releases, GDE typically partners with regional cinemas and independent theaters rather than operating its own exhibition. The company's Ohio base gives it access to midwest regional cinema networks, though its distribution reach extends nationwide through digital platform partnerships.

Cranked Up Films

Cranked Up Films is GDE's genre subdivision, focusing on developing, producing, acquiring, and distributing high-concept horror, thrillers, grounded sci-fi, and speculative fiction. The label has released titles including Nightmare Cinema (an anthology featuring segments by Mick Garris, Joe Dante, David Slade, and Ryuhei Kitamura), Coyote Lake, Riot Girls, After Midnight, Extra Ordinary (2019 SXSW), Porno, Survival Skills, Double Walker, God's Petting You (2024), and Foil (2024).

Cranked Up also operates Cranked Up TV, a genre-focused streaming channel. For genre filmmakers, Cranked Up is an acquisition target for completed horror and sci-fi features seeking US distribution, particularly films with festival credentials from Fantasia, SXSW, or other genre-focused festivals.

International Sales Division

In April 2023, GDE launched an international sales division at the Cannes market, led by EVP of Acquisitions Erik Donley, EVP of Production and Distribution Andy Myers, and Head of Sales Marco DiSilvio. The division sells both acquired titles and GDE's original productions worldwide, with 30 films initially available for international distribution.

The international sales arm gives GDE the ability to sell territory rights at major markets including Cannes, AFM, and EFM, rather than relying solely on US distribution revenue. For filmmakers whose films GDE acquires, this means the company can handle both US distribution and international sales, though filmmakers should clarify how US distribution fees and international sales commissions interact in the recoupment structure.

Notable Releases

GDE's catalog includes Loving Vincent (2017), the first fully oil-painted animated feature, which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature and won 22 awards with 51 nominations including Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA recognition. Other notable releases include To Dust (2018 Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award winner, 2020 Independent Spirit Award nominee), Journey's End (Saul Dibb, WWI drama), Storm Boy (2019), Tell It to the Bees (starring Anna Paquin, TIFF premiere), Firecrackers (2018 TIFF), This Changes Everything (2018), Lucky Grandma (Sasie Sealy), Summertime (2020 Sundance), and Charlotte (animated biographical film about Charlotte Salomon).

Recent 2024-2025 releases include An Open Door (documentary on Dr. Temple Grandin, directed by John Barnhardt, presented by Colorado State University, accepted into 72 festivals with 27 individual awards, streaming worldwide on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube since August 2025), Looking Through Water (Roberto Sneider, September 2025), The Christmas Writer (2025), Hungry (2025), A Good Enough Day (2024), and Blood & Rust (2025, production).

What Filmmakers Should Know

GDE occupies a specific tier in the US independent distribution landscape: below the prestige distributors (A24, NEON, SPC) in terms of P&A commitment and awards campaign capacity, but above pure digital aggregators in terms of curation, marketing support, and theatrical capability. For filmmakers whose films do not attract A24 or NEON-level acquisition interest, GDE is a realistic and legitimate distribution partner.

The company accepts finished feature submissions through its website, which is unusual in the independent distribution space where most companies require agent or festival introductions. This open submission process makes GDE accessible to filmmakers without representation, though the company still evaluates submissions based on production quality, festival credentials, and commercial potential.

MGs from GDE are typically modest. For documentary and narrative features without major festival premieres, MGs may be minimal or structured as revenue-split deals without upfront advances. For films with stronger festival profiles or genre appeal (particularly through Cranked Up Films), MGs can reach low five figures. The company's sales commission for international rights typically ranges from 20% to 25% of gross revenues.

Filmmakers should understand that GDE's distribution model is primarily digital-first. Theatrical releases are selective and typically platform-style (limited screens in select markets). The bulk of revenue recoupment comes from transactional VOD and streaming platform licensing. For films targeting a traditional wide theatrical release, GDE is not the right partner. For films seeking a hybrid theatrical-digital release with a company that handles both US distribution and international sales, GDE is a practical option.

See Also

For how digital-first distribution models compare to theatrical-first models in revenue terms, see Streaming vs Theatrical Revenue. For how international sales divisions interact with US distribution deals, see Distribution Deals Explained. To model the revenue from a multi-platform release combining limited theatrical with VOD and streaming, use the Revenue Forecast Calculator.