What is Theatrical?

A theatrical release of your film means exhibition to the paying public at the commercial cinema. Typically the distributor pays you upfront for the film, and you share in the waterfall.

What is a Theatrical Booker?

Someone who has relationships with theaters. Generally not cheap to hire and often have mixed results. But, depending on the arrangement, you will get the majority of the revenue from the release.

<aside> <img src="/icons/search_purple.svg" alt="/icons/search_purple.svg" width="40px" /> Go Deeper: Brian Newman recently covered the pros and cons of working with a theatrical booker, and how it compares to acquisition by a theatrical distribution in Sub-Genre’s Film 101 here.

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What is Direct to Venue Releasing?

You can pitch to theatrical venues directly, such as ****cinemas, event spaces, etc. If you know exactly where your audience is geographically located, you can scout and pitch theaters where they are at. Things to know in advance:

• You may need to get an age classification for your film.
• You will also need to do the marketing yourself including providing a trailer and posters for your film.
• You will be responsible for all of the DCPs required at the venues.
• Independently showing your film at a cinema can be very expensive. It’s smart to create a full business plan before considering this option.
  • (i.e. What venues are in areas where you know you have audience? What venues ask for a percentage of ticket sales vs venue rental fees?)

🍿 Theatrical Distributors

The following are primarily distributors that acquire films at film festivals. Some may have output deals with streamers, some may not. Some are streamers that may put the film in theaters. Some may primarily produce or co-finance in addition to making acquisitions.

• A24

• Amazon Studios

• CBS Films

• Cohen Media Group

• Entertainment One

• FilmRise

• Focus Features

• Forston Consulting

• Greenwich Entertainment

• IFC Films

• Magnolia Pictures

• Music Box Films

• Neon

• Roadside Attractions

• Sony Pictures

• STX Entertainment

🙋Theatrical Bookers & For Hire Distributors

These companies enter into for-hire or revenue share agreements. Their descriptions are from their websites in their own words.

• Jon Reiss / 8Above

• Variance

• Gravitas Ventures

• Together Films

• Suncatcher

• Greenwich Entertainment

• WILLA

• Tuckman Media

• Abramarama

• Blue Harbor

• Eamonn Films