How to Optimize Your Independent Film for Success | Film Hub's CEO Explains
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Today, Filmhub CEO Alan d'Escragnolle breaks down how filmmakers can best position their movies for success in today's marketplace.
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0:46 how is Filmhub adjusting to amazon not taking documentaries
3:50 well performing platforms besides amazon
6:53 windowing on Filmhub
10:30 afraid of tubi falling off
12:23 amazon pay vs tubi pay
13:50 can you still submit webseries to amazon
14:45 best practices for filmmakers on Filmhub
20:45 optimize your Filmhub submission
23:00 why you cant stretch posters
27:31 what is Filmhub distributor aggregator
30:41 new Filmhub beta services
33:19 foreign opportunities on Filmhub
35:30 how does Filmhub curate new platforms
37:12 will Filmhub start their own channel
38:50 advice for filmmakers
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While I do not have a property on Filmhub at this time (as I have shorts not features), I respect their service to independent filmmakers and J.Horton's transparency in letting others know about his experience with it.
Appreciate you John!
indeed well said like wise
Another great interview. I think the thing that helped was his talking about what was important in Marketing, strong art assets then reviews on IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes and even the idea to fully fill out data and the Sales Pitch. I was surprised by the translation conversation and excited to have the film in Spanish, Mandarin. Thanks again for the great content Jason.
I am 3 mins into the video and already know this will provide great insight into FilmHub distribution.
Timely and well done interviews! You guys remind me that I need to get up on IMDB, even though I'm pretty new at this. We just need to keep adding one brick of success at a time. You are helping with this Jason. Thanks!
thanks for letting me know. and keep me updated. I hope it goes well for you.
Great interview. Loads of great info in there. Art work, marketing and reviews- might be a good video to do (assuming you haven’t) best review sites, requirements for different review platforms like Tomatoes etc. How to drive reviews on IMDB etc?
Yeah these guys have really done right by me & they did artwork for one of my titles & they just killed it. The best, most reflective Art that was absolutely in total cohesion w my title. They’ve also gone above & beyond on several levels & I’m nowhere near one of their top sellers!
Great interview, thanks! Marketing is another thing I need to improve on with my animated feature films.
Good stuff. I’m gearing up to get my film on this platform. I appreciate the full interview!! Thx.
You are very welcome.
Great content M.Horton!!
Great things ahead
Very Educational insightful video as always Some really gems in this 1 thanks
This is great to know thanks J
I really appreciate you. For real.
Hey thanks a lot for that helpful content!
Extremely valuable content that is not out there in a video format. When FH talks about distributing films to foreign companies or in the situation of multiple national companies, what is the general rule or suggestion on marketing? Should you remarket your film as hard as you did the first time to your audience for Amazon as hard again for Tubi, Plex, or any new platforms you get on, or is it generally accepted that any new platforms you get on after you've done your 90 day push, you're just going to see how no marketing goes with them?
Different platforms perform diferently for different films and platforms. I just keep an eye on the monthly #'s and put more effort into the channels that show signs the best signs of performance.
Thank you Ace!
This is really cool! Great info.
thank you!
@@JHorton I really enjoyed this and learned so much about the importance of have great PR materials and promoting your films once they are online!
I have one film on Filmhub, planning to add a couple more before the end of the year. I take his point about the necessity for continuing to market your films. I freely admit that I have not done so, and my low numbers are probably a reflection on that. But here's my issue... How do I market my film on these platforms when I don't have a link to send people to? If all I'm told is that my film was delivered to UDU Digital, and they run several channels, how do I locate the film? I had one smaller horror-themed channel tag my Facebook page, so we did a little cross-promotion and that was nice, but for the most part I have had no way of actually finding my film once it's delivered.
Do you have any insight on how to track down your films, or how to market in a way that works without specifically directing traffic?
I just google search them. and I mainly focus my platform specific marketing to the platforms that are earning more. Tubi, Amazon, Pluto. and do more general awareness building posts. At the end of the day, if people are interested in your movie they're going to look for it on whatever platforms they use. It's very difficult to drive traffic to any specific platform that's not one of the majors.
Hi J, I have watched a number of your video and find them informative, so thanks. You have mentioned previously that you have films with both Film Hub and Indie Rights, why both?
I realise they are different films, but I was wondering why not all with Film Hub, or all with Indie Rights? They broadly seem to be aiming for the same platforms as far as I can tell
You are basically right. I do it for a few reasons. Biggest is I don't like to keep all my eggs in one baskets. You said the other yourself. Different films are different. Different audiences. Different monetization expectations. There a few platorms that IR does that FH doesn't and visa versa.
What's the good budget range for your film when comes to choosing filmhub for distribution
Nobody is gonna have the same answer. For me it’s mostly things under 50k or for movies that have already ran their original license
Thanks.
I had joined filmhub, but I paused. A rep contacted me, and he told me to click on his calendar to set up a phone call. I told him to just pick a date and time, and I will honor it. He replied two days later, and he offered the link to his calendar. I explained, "I don't click on links. Just choose a date and time and I will honor it." Two weeks later, he still didn't respond. Why would I work with a company like this?
people use online calenders. I use on all the time for booking and interviews. Best, most effcient ways to keep things straight. As for why to work with them... Cause they have a great reputation. Pay on time and can get you on a bunch of platforms you can't get on yourself. But that's just me.
@@JHorton Yes, but when a client says "Just tell me a date and time" and you respond with the same "Click on the calendar" that shows me that you are lazy, and if you are THAT lazy, then you will be even worse when there are real things to work on. It's not the only show in town, so I will go to filmrights instead.
@@BillZebubproductions if you're dealing with dozens to hundreds of people. It isn't lazy. It's the smartest way to keep things straight. Filmhub has over 12,000 clients. I don't have a fraction of that and it's what I do. And I'm pretty f&^ing far from lazy. It's just way more practical and effcient. But agreed they are not the only the game in town. At the end of the day, go with what you feel good about.
@@JHorton I won't ever work with someone who wants me to be his secretary. If you want to use software to run your schedule, so be it, but don't ask me to do that. My movies are distributed by big companies (for physical). As huge as these companies are, I get my Emails answered within half an hour, and we communicate as adults. Play with your calendar app and pacman or whatever. If any of the reps at the distribution companies acted like the jackass at filmhub, there would be swift reprimand. So wat that filmhub has 12,000 clients? It takes just a couple of seconds to ask "How is Tuesday at 4pm?" and then the rep can type it into the gay app. How about I ask the rep to draw me a picture of a turtle so I can paste it into my diary? No matter how you slice it, the rep is lazy, and probably inept. Fuck that.
@@BillZebubproductions fair enough. best of luck with it.
I tried to get my movie on filmhub and kept having problems with the artwork specs. They were great responding to emails but I got frustrated resubmitting. What program do you use to get the right specs for your posters. Im among the 20% 😆
Sorry to hear that. I use photoshop. Biggest fail I usually hear about is filmmakers squeezing the image or title to fit the different dimensions. Or low quality, pixelated photos.
@@JHorton yep thats my problem smh I will try to use photoshop. Ty and keep up the great content.
As good as Filmhub is and they seem to be pretty good, my only concern is when they're requirements start to affect filmmaker artistic or contractual choices
Not sure I follow. How so?
@@JHorton for instants I ran into a poster issue, the art was a little grainy by design to convey the feel of the film, the title was clean and legible but Filmhub insisted it be changed be cause of the grain in the image or another case(which was resolved quickly) concerning actors names on the poster, as you know when making deals with lead talent on no budget movies they want their names on the one sheet(contractual)
@@reinaproductions Actor names are allowed, they are just discouraged as most streaming services prefer no actor names, production cos, etc. on artwork today.
As far as pixelation - this is a requirement from streaming services. We realize the film you submitted was older, but updating artwork to modern standards is crucial for your success. You're trying to compete head to head with brand new titles so making sure older titles meet the specs as much as possible is key. Congrats on your success with B Lover on Filmhub, great to see its performance!
Do these guys get you onto netflix or hulu?? Tubi ain't gonna pay my budget back!
Not really. Though from my experience you don’t end up making much on those either unless you got a listers. Good luck
I dont see 'India' in the list of countries for Amazon Prime Video. Can FilmHub publish a feature film to Indian territory. Please confirm.
I don't know. You would have to message fimhub support. info@filmhub.com
What is great J. Is that you are picking out the Good Guys in distribution. We all know there are a lot of bad ones
thanks. Yeah, it's super easy to complain and spread a more negative narrative about distribution. Like in my regular life, I try more and more to focus on the positive... espeiclaly as I get older.
Does he mean outside marketing
can a 26 to 40 minute short film be accepted by filmhub
yes. Don't know how well it will do, but they'll take it.
@@JHorton cool thank you
J are you in LA? Where are you based out of.
Not anymore. I moved to Georgia about 3 years back
@@JHorton Atlanta? I’m in Detroit area. Finding your content has been revolutionary to me.
just outside of atlanta.
I keep hearing marketing, marketing, marketing but no one ever tells me how? Like how do I get a review on IMDB or Rotten Tomatoes? I just uploaded my first film to Filmhub and my second is in two months. They are both terrific, commercial and has a huge audience. But I only have 40 friends on my Facebook page. So, I'm asking... HOW?
I've done a ton of specific markeing videos with tips like you are askng for. I have an entire platlist devoted to it. The info is out there for those willing to dig. If not on my channel...... others. I learned most of what I know about marketing films from book author publishing groups, youtube growth experts. Crowdfunding tips. There's no one place that's gonna give you all the info you're looking for.