TFC is proud to announce our new Collaborative Releasing Initiative (click to see PDF of press release), which offers films the opportunity not only to work with us more closely, from the beginning of their journeys, but also to partner, when appropriate, with some of the biggest distribution experts in the independent film space.
The intiative, limited to documentaries for the time being, combines film sales and licensing with a hybrid release plan. All the aspects of distribution that TFC is known for will be part of this initiative, including general advising, strategy, sales, festival distribution, theatrical, educational, and digital, and more. TFC will strategize with each filmmaking team to map out customized sales plans, as well as a “back-up” plan for any rights that are still available for licensing after the initial sales push. Please also see the annoucment in Variety.
We’ve also got a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) pertaining to the initiative. But of course if you have additional questions, feel free to email us.
Collaborative Releasing specializes in low-cost, Hybrid-DIY theatrical releases of the best of the best from the festival circuit. Our growing list of titles includes award winners from IDFA, Sundance, Berlin, SXSW, and Tribeca Film Festivals. Most of our films’ theatrical engagements consist of over 20 bookings, and are critically acclaimed.
By working directly with the filmmakers (and sometimes other distributors), we help to unlock a film’s built-in capital to engage with their audience. For many of our releases, we have, in partnership with our filmmakers, secured non-equity funding to cover the operating costs, essentially creating a zero-risk theatrical distribution model.
With a conscious commitment to quality and diversity, we aim to help you find the best path possible in getting your film out into the world, all the while never owning your rights.
To learn more about TFC Theatrical, please email us here, or download our theatrical one-sheet.
The Light of the Moon
NOV 2017
97%
- SXSW (World Premiere)
- Audience Award, Narrative Feature (SXSW)
- Download one-sheet
- Download theatrical epk
The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin
OCT 2017
90%
- SXSW (World Premiere), Frameline41 (Opening Night)
- Audience Award Winner, Documentary Spotlight (SXSW)
- Best Documentary Jury Winner (Outshine Miami)
- Audience Award (Nashville)
California Typewriter
AUGUST 2017
- Telluride (World Premiere)
I Dream in Another Language
JULY 2017
- Sundance (World Premiere)
- Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic (Sundance)
Women Who Kill
JULY 2017
100%
- Tribeca Film Festival (World Premiere)
- Award Best Screenplay in a U.S. Narrative Feature Film (Tribeca)
Romeo is Bleeding
JUNE 2017
- San Francisco International Film Festival (World Premiere, Audience Award)
- Winner of over 20 Film Festival Awards
All the Rage
Saved by Sarno
JUNE 2017
- From Oscar®-shortlisted Filmmaker Michael Galinsky
Score
A Film Music Documentary
JUNE 2017
91%
- Backed by CNN Films, Sundance Institute, Cinereach, and Tribeca All Access
- Currently 100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- Winner of 6 Audience Awards
The Last Laugh
MARCH 2017
100%
- Screened in over 20 cities
- US, Canada, and UK Theatrical Release
- Playing in over 75 Film Festivals
- 15-city release with over $2500 P&A spend
Landfill Harmonic
SEPT 2016
100%
- over 200 film festivals
- 25+ city theatrical release
- Humanitas Winner
- over $100K in combined festival and theatrical revenue
Off the Rails
NOV 2016
100%
- New York Times Critics Pick
- Broadcast Film Critics’ Association Nominee — Best First Documentary Feature
For the Love of Spock
SEPT 2016
100%
- 50 city + North American theatrical release
- Reached #1 in Doc and Indie sections on iTunes
- release in Australia
Hooligan Sparrow
JULY - NOVEMBER 2016
96%
- 15 city release
- over $50K in prize money on the festival circuit
- IDA, Cinema Eye and Spirit Award Winner
Requiem for the American Dream
JAN 2016
92%
- Official selection Tribeca, IDFA, AFI DOCS
- NYT Critics Pick
- Booked in 20+ markets
- Reached #1 in Documentary section on iTunes
38%
(T)ERROR
OCT 2015 - FEB 2016
90%
- Entire release was crowdfunded
- Village Voice Critics Pick
- Independent Spirit Award Nominee
- IDA Award
- Cinema Eye Honor
- Grand Jury Prize (Full Frame)
- Special Jury Award (Sundance)
- Special Mention (CPH:DOX)
The Man Who Saved The World
NY • SEPT 18 • Cinema Village
LA • SEPT 25 • Arena Screen
64%
- New York Times Critics Pick
- Danish Film Institute Award for Best Documentary
1971
JAN-MAR 2015
97%
Top Festivals
Tribeca, AFI DOCS, IDFA
Executive Producer
Laura Poitras
Awards
Cinema Eye and IDA
- Over 50 theatrical bookings
- Out-grossed its theatrical release budget
- Released in partnership with Blue Ice Docs (who is handling the Canadian theatrical and North American Digital Release)
I am Divine
DEC 2013-FEB 2014
96%
Top Festivals
SXSW, BFI Flare, Sheffield Doc/Fest
- Released on an ultra-low budget of $8K
- 53 theatrical engagements (without taking out a single print ad)
- Festival Release: 200 festival screenings
- Digital Release: went to #2 on iTunes via Wolfe Video
- TFC brokered five international distribution deals
BORN TO FLY: Elizabeth Streb vs. Gravity
SEPT-OCT 2014
89%
Top Festivals
SXSW, Sheffield Doc/Fest, Full Frame
- booked in over 20 theaters
- Festival Release: TFC also booked it in over 50 festivals
- Theatrical release helped secure a digital/DVD distribution deal with Kino Lorber
- Blue Ice Docs handled the Canadian portion of the theatrical release
Evolution of a Criminal
OCT-DEC 2014
100%
Top Festivals
SXSW, BAM Cinema Fest, Full Frame, Los Angeles Film Festival
Executive Producer
Spike Lee
Awards
IDA Award Winner, Spirit Award Nominee
- Entire release was Crowdfunded
- Booked in 25 markets
The Hand That Feeds
APRIL-MAY 2015
93%
Top Festivals
Full Frame, AFI DOCS, DOC NYC
Awards
Audience Awards
(Full Frame, Doc NYC)
Best of Fest Award
(AFI FEST)
- Entire Release was Crowdfunded
- Theatrial Rlease: 10+ markets
- Highest grossing theatrical for a film that premiered at Full Frame in the last 3 years
Manos Sucias
APRIL-MAY 2015
91%
Top Festivals
TRIBECA, AFI FEST
Awards
Best New Narrative Director (Tribeca)
Executive Producer
Spike Lee
- Theatrial Rlease: 20+ markets
- Colombia’s submission for the Goyas
- Premiering on HBO Latin August 2015
Song from the Forest
APRIL-JUNE 2015
100%
Top Festivals
SXSW, IDFA, DOC NYC
Awards
Grand Jury Award (IDFA)
- Festival Release: TFC booked in over 50 Festivals
The Circle
(Der Kreis)
NOV-DEC 2014
100%
Top Festivals
Berlinale, Outfest
Awards
Panorama Audience Award / Teddy Award (Berlinale)
- Switzerland’s Official Selection to the 2015 Academy Awards® for Best Foreign Language Film
- Booked in 15 markets
- Theatrical release: financially supported by Swiss Films
- Festival Release: TFC also booked it into over 50 U.S festivals
- Digital Release: launched in the Top 10 Docs and Top 3 Foreign Language Films on iTunes via Wolfe Video
Elemental
MAY 2013
100%
Top Festivals
Mill Valley, Jaipur International, Cleveland International, Thessaloniki
- entire release paid for by a grant received by the filmmaker
- Theatrical release: 10+ markets
Mosquita y Mari
AUG-OCT 2012
92%
Top Festivals
Sundance
- Festival Release: using the power of niche festivals, including Latino/a, Indigenous, Women’s, LGBT, youth, International festivals, this film has booked over 180 Festivals
- TFC brokered distribution deal with Wolfe Video
Gayby
OCT-DEC 2012
90%
Top Festivals
SXSW, Los Angeles Film Festival, BAM Cinemafest
- TFC brokered North American distribution deal with Wolfe Video
- TFC brokered six additional international distribution deals
- Digital Release: spent several weeks in top 10 on iTunes in the Independent Genre
Undertow
(Contracorriente)
NOV 2010-JAN 2011
88%
Top Festivals
Sundance, San Sebastián, Cartanega, Chicago Latino, Miami International
- Peru’s Official Selection to the Academy Awards® for Best Foreign Language Film