Ryko Distribution
Via a partnership with Ryko Distribution/WEA, Film Baby can now offer select independent filmmakers a comprehensive distribution solution, allowing them access to every brick and mortar film store, specialty retail, military retail outlets, and other outlets in the United States (through the power of Ryko’s parent company, WEA, any place that sells physical DVDs, Ryko can sell your product if there is a demand). All without taking any rights away from you – you’re still the rights owner and in control! We just help get your films out to a much wider audience.
Film Baby is ONLY taking 9%! Whatever Ryko pays us, we take only 9% and the rest goes to you! For a $14.98 list, Ryko sells a DVD to retail outlets for $9.60. They pay Film Baby $7.49 for that DVD. You then get $6.81 per DVD. This is one of the highest amounts paid to an indie artists in the industry.
And to help get you off on the right foot, you will have a recoupable marketing fund of $3,000. This can be used for anything from DVD manufacturing to hiring a publicist or having viewing stations in stores - or a combination of each of these! The marking fund is recoupable from your sales.
A few examples of Film Baby Members' films currently distributed with Ryko:
Heavy Metal Parking Lot (World-wide Distribution)
We Are The Strange (World-wide Distribution)
Dark Water Rising (US Distribution)
Copley: An American Fairytale (US Distribution)
The Palestra: Cathedral of Basketball (US Distribution)
Drakmar: A Vassal's Journey (US Distribution)
Toys Are Us: A Revolution in Plastic (US Distribution)
A few answers to your questions:
- If my film is selected for distribution, where will my DVD be available?
This deal will get your film into all major and minor retailers nationwide. From Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, to FYE, Suncoast and Barnes and Noble to the corner family owned video store in Iowa, all retailers will have the opportunity to purchase your DVD. - It sounds awesome, how do I sign up?
Just keep doing what you are doing. All Film Baby members are eligible to participate. Just let us know you are interested in the program. We watch every film that comes in the door and will be on the lookout for amazing films that are a perfect fit for the program. Our staff of film lovers will evaluate everything about your film and make sure it is a good fit for the program. - But my film is not mainstream, will you still consider it?
Yes. We will not exclude any type of film from consideration. This is not an easy process for us and only a selected number of films submitted for the program will be accepted. - Does Film Baby own my work?
We don't own any rights to any part of the film. We offer all this to you without taking any rights away – you’re still the content owner and in control! We just help get your film out to a much wider audience. - I'm sure the deal I have to sign is pretty complicated?
Seriously, not at all. Each deal is only on a per film basis. There are no long term or multi-film deals. We never want to get in the way of your film making careers. We will send you the full deal if your DVD is selected. We encourage you to read everything you sign. - Is this exclusive?
Yes it is, but only on a per film basis. You can opt out of the program at any time, but the removal process from retail stores can be up to a year and there may be some costs associated. - When will my DVD be available nationwide?
It will take about 3 months to get your DVDs into stores nationwide. That’s right, nationwide, not just regional. However, we will make sure there is a big push in your home area.
In that time, we will work with you to create all the materials needed to get you going. There is going to be a lot of work involved in making sure the product is ready for retail. If you feel you want to take the next big step and go for world domination, we can help you with that, too. - HOW DO I SIGNUP AND JOIN?
If you are just sending in your film, the process will begin once the film arrives. If you would like to include a note with your film to let us know you are really, really interested in this program, you can do that too. Once we get your film, our staff will watch your film and see if it will be a perfect fit. If it is something we love, we will be in touch with you right away.