Freestyle Digital Media
“For our theatrical/VOD day-and-date titles we look for films with name cast and all genres. We like to see films that have a cast with a large social media following. On our straight to VOD titles, we are open to any genre with or without name cast.”
SUBMISSIONS: Open submission policy. Accepted directly through website.
Gravitas
“Gravitas looks at the quality of the film, the cast, whether it is timely, and whether there is a clear or established audience for the film or documentary. Having released thousands of films, we have a very good sense of what type of films and docs work overall as well as for our specific VOD and home-video clients.”
SUBMISSIONS: Open submission policy. Accepted filmmakers submissions directly through website.
Greenwich Entertainment
“We are primarily looking for films that can work theatrically, but are open to narrative features, documentaries, and foreign language films across genres. Also, do we love the film? Releasing a film properly takes a lot of time and energy so we want to be passionate about the film. Is the filmmaking exceptional? Positive reviews and word-of-mouth are critical for independent films to succeed. Is there an identifiable audience and can we effectively position the film so they’ll go see it? This core audience should become the film’s evangelists. Are we on the same page as the filmmaker? We are a collaborative company and welcome a director’s input, but we need a shared vision even as the release strategy may evolve.”
SUBMISSIONS: Representatives and sales agencies. No blind submissions.
Gunpowder & Sky
“We’re typically looking for content that’s younger skewing—young, loud, irreverent, and culturally relevant. We typically look to acquire specific genres—horror and thriller/sci-fi/comedy/rom com/music oriented films. Open to other films if there’s an interesting and unique vision. We really like working with first and second time filmmakers supporting them and building those relationships”
SUBMISSIONS: Open door policy. General email on website or through representation.
IFC Films
“We cast a pretty wide net when it comes to the content we acquire as we are actively programming for three distinct labels with different brand identities. IFC Films is predominantly English language, cast-driven narratives; our Sundance Selects label focuses on documentaries and foreign language titles; and IFC Midnight is a genre label. The scope of our brands as well as our ability to release films in a variety of ways has given us the flexibility to not only provide a platform for new, emerging voices, but to also be a home for internationally acclaimed and established directors.”
SUBMISSIONS: Best route through agency. Will accept producer and filmmakers submission on a case-by-case basis.
Indie Rights
“Great story, great acting, great production value.”
SUBMISSIONS: Open submission policy through website.
Prepare for Cannes with minimum guarantee values from hundreds of distributors on 75 independent films across genre and budgets.
Whether you’re packaging, producing, buying, or selling a film, the Film Advance Series is the only resource with actual advance values. [Learn More]
Juno Films
“We acquire films that bring a new perspective and new voices to audiences with an emphasis on aesthetics. We prioritize cinematic films, especially for our theatrical releases, as opposed to journalistic docs or action films. Recent acquisitions include Barbara Rubin and the Exploding NY Underground, Arcadia, the classic Indian film Shiraz: A Romance of India,Sew The Winter to My Skin from South Africa and Ever After, a German feminist zombie film that premiered at TIFF. We like to acquire films before their festival premiere in order to work with filmmakers to shape an effective festival strategy.”
SUBMISSIONS: Direct filmmaker submissions. Work with friendly agencies, and agents in Europe.
Magnolia Pictures
“We have a remarkably eclectic slate spanning all genres. Generally, beyond strength of storytelling and filmmaking, we’re always looking for unique voices.”
SUBMISSIONS: Work closely with sales agencies, but may consider unsolicited submissions.
Music Box Films
“Music Box Films is dedicated to curating a diverse repertoire of films and television from around the world. In partnership with the iconic Music Box Theatre, Chicago’s premier independent cinema, it is our mission to engage audiences with exciting alternatives to mainstream entertainment. Among the things we look for in an acquisition prospect is an identifiable audience that we are confident we can reach and motivate through a creative and cost-effective marketing campaign. Other factors we consider are originality, critical reaction, festival history, and our passion to share the artist’s vision with an appreciative audience.”
SUBMISSIONS: Don’t encourage open submissions. Festivals and sales agencies are primary source.
Neon
“We’re totally agnostic to things like budget, scale of release, genre, and language. If I can describe it to a room full of non-film industry people and it generates conversation, that’s a good start.”
SUBMISSIONS: Mostly through sales agencies, but a brief and compelling email can go a long way.
The Orchard
“We’re looking for unique voices and viewpoints, innovative filmmaking, inspiring storytelling—films that we’re excited to work on and filmmakers that we’re eager to collaborate with. We work with established auteurs as often as up-and-coming filmmakers, and we’re always looking to expand our brand and push ourselves to release content that energizes and impassions audiences.”
SUBMISSIONS: Blind submissions accepted. Most films come via sales agencies and producers.