The Filmmaking Stuff Podcast

Do film festival laurels actually help sell your movie?

In this episode, I break down the truth about film festival awards, official selections, and what buyers, sales agents, and distributors really care about. We’ll talk about the major festivals that matter—like Sundance, Cannes, Tribeca, and Toronto—why smaller regional festivals often don’t move the needle for sales, and how filmmakers should use festivals strategically to build an audience instead of chasing meaningless laurels.

If you’re trying to sell your indie film, this is an important conversation.

AVOD is where indie films are making money now. In this episode, I break down why ad-based video on demand platforms like Tubi, YouTube, and Pluto are becoming the biggest opportunity for indie filmmakers, why younger audiences prefer free content with ads, and how smart filmmakers can use AVOD strategy to increase revenue and improve film performance.

In this episode, we break down why a movie trailer is more important than the movie itself when it comes to sales, distribution, and audience engagement, and how the right trailer can drive viewership and revenue.

Why do most indie films fail to make money? In this episode, we break down the real reason—filmmakers focus on production, not distribution—and how to build a clear path to sales, investors, and ROI from the start.

Why do some indie films completely disappear after release? In this episode, we break down the concept of the “invisible film” — movies that get uploaded to platforms but generate little to no revenue. Learn why platform saturation, over-reliance on distributors, and lack of filmmaker promotion can kill a film’s visibility — and how building a marketing plan from the beginning can create momentum, audience engagement, and real sales.

The mid-budget independent film model is collapsing — and most filmmakers don’t see it coming. In this episode, I break down why $750K–$5M films are struggling, how the loss of DVD revenue and platform saturation changed the market, why B-list cast no longer guarantees sales, and why some producers believe $15M films are actually safer investments than $5M films. If you're raising capital or structuring your next indie film budget, this is essential listening.

What do sales agents really do at film markets like Cannes, AFM, and EFM? In this episode, I explain how sales agents meet buyers, pitch films, and secure distribution deals. You'll also learn why most deals don't happen during the market itself, but in the weeks after buyers review screeners.

What is an option agreement and how do indie producers legally control a screenplay without buying it upfront? In this episode, Tom breaks down film option agreements, $1 options, term lengths, writer payments, and how rights revert if a movie doesn’t get made. A practical, no-nonsense guide for producers and screenwriters navigating indie film development and financing.

Thinking about attending the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin? In this episode, I break down how EFM compares to Cannes and AFM, why it’s considered the most professional film market, and why filmmakers with finished projects and real credits get the most value from it. If you want smarter film distribution and market strategy, this one’s for you.

Film distribution windowing is changing fast. In this episode, Tom Malloy breaks down modern release windows — theatrical, transactional VOD, subscription streaming, and AVOD — and explains why the old rules don’t always apply anymore. Using real-world examples like Netflix films returning to theaters and the rise of ad-supported platforms, he shares one key lesson for indie filmmakers: focus on demand first, and the windows will follow. A practical, no-nonsense guide to smarter film release strategy.