Lights Film School Blog

Trying to Market Your Independent Film?

Lights Film School is currently looking for independent filmmakers who want to share their filmmaking experiences with our students and blog readers. We’ve interviewed filmmakers in the past (example) who have helped shed light on some very interesting ideas and creative solutions to the problem of not having access to large sums of production money. With the democratization of both the production and distribution process filmmakers are increasingly curious to know how to create and distribut...

Independent Filmmakers Discuss Self Distribution

Lights Film School recently had the privilege of interviewing Tao Ruspoli, the director of FIX, an independent feature length narrative film. The film is currently in the festival circuit having gained entry into prestigious film festivals such as the Warsaw Film Festival and Slamdance Film Festival to name only two of many. We interviewed Tao about his production and distribution strategies in the hopes that it not only inspires other independent filmmakers, but also helps provide insight in...

Film Distribution: Hope in Emerging Markets

In the following Video a seasoned film distributor discusses buying trends in the emerging markets that filmmakers should be aware of. The main idea behind the video is that population expansion and access to technology have expanded the markets in India, China, Eastern Europe and Latin America. This had led to an increase in the demand of Cable shows, DVD's and V.O.D. Foreign sales prospects are looking more hopeful than ever. Countries in these emerging markets are now seeking all rights d...

Independent Film Theatrical Release

We've been spending a lot of time fielding student questions about independent film distribution lately. It's probably not a surprise to find out that a lot of independent filmmakers want to see their films on the big screen. Theatrical release is seen as a sign of "making it". Further, it is mistakenly interpreted as meaning that the film is "a real film" or a "good film". Many independent films don't see the light (actually the darkness) of a theater. What's interesting is that in many cas...