DOC NYC PRO Fall Conference - FILM DISTRIBUTION PANELS

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Hello fellow filmmakers,

If you're looking to deepen your understanding of film distribution, join us at DOC NYC for a series of essential panels featuring industry leaders and distribution experts.
Gain real insights, ask questions, and connect with fellow filmmakers. For tickets and day passes visit the link below.
Distribution - where are we and what's next

We hope to see you there!

TJ Collins
Co-Founder, New York Film Group

10-11:15AM

## When the Filmmaker Becomes the Distributor

The old distribution formulas aren’t just outdated, they’re irrelevant, especially for films written off as unmarketable, too risky, or politically sensitive. When silence or censorship looms, collective action and creative approaches become survival. Distribution consultant Mia Bruno (Navalny) turns to filmmakers Danielle Varga (Seeds) and Sam Feder (Heightened Security) who share strategies and inspiration for self-distribution and reclaiming control over where work is seen. Together, we’ll explore how to forge a distribution plan, reach the audiences that actually want your film, and redefine success on your own terms.

11:30-12:45PM

## Breaking the Jam: Envisioning the Future of Distribution

Distribution for filmmakers is getting harder: crowded platforms, shrinking funding, and changing audiences make it tough to get stories seen. This session has two parts: first, a presentation about the current state of distribution by sales agent Isadora Johnson (Cinetic Media) and Anya Rous (Multitude Films). Next an interactive activity led by Malikkah Rollins and Stephanie Palumbo (Peace is Loud) where the audience will use a simple structured process to imagine new ways forward. It’s a chance to learn from experts and then experiment together. We’ll start by identifying what’s holding filmmakers back, then flip those obstacles around to dream up fresh, bold ideas for how distribution could work. Working in small groups, everyone will share insights and leave with a clearer picture of what the future of distribution might look like.

2:00-3:15PM

## Focus on Shorts

What if short films aren’t just stepping-stones, but destinations in themselves? Could they live and thrive in places we haven’t yet imagined, reaching audiences in ways unique to the form? This panel leans into those questions, exploring how shorts move through today’s distribution landscape, from festivals to streaming, social platforms to community screenings, and what it means for a short to truly find its place in the world. Nick Ravich (Art21), Paul Moakley (The New Yorker), and filmmakers Ava Wiland (Rava Films) and Nick Canfield (OH YEAH!) will join moderator Tracie Holder to share how they’re navigating this shifting terrain and where they see the most exciting possibilities ahead.

3:30-4:45PM

## Creative and Business Realities of Getting Documentaries into the World

How do we balance vision with strategy, protect our work while pushing it forward, and find a path for each project in an ever-shifting industry? This panel digs into the creative and business realities that come with distribution today. From navigating deals and partnerships to making sure a film actually finds its audience, moderator Brian Newman (Sub-Genre Media) and panelists Sara Bernstein (Imagine Entertainment), FredAnthony Smith (SMAC Entertainment), and Amanda Culkowski (Paramount/MTV) will talk honestly about what’s working, what’s not, and what filmmakers need to know to thrive in the process.