Get Your Film Seen, Sold and Paid
A finished film is an asset, but it only earns when it reaches an audience. Sunscope builds a release strategy around your film’s content, cast and audience, then places it across theatrical, television, streaming, physical and international markets, in the right order and on the right terms.
How a release works
The Release Strategy
Each platform pays differently and wants different rights at different times. We plan the sequence, called windowing, so one deal doesn’t block a better one.
| Window | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Festivals & premieres | Build reviews, awards and buzz that raise the film’s value. |
| 2. Theatrical & event screenings | Limited theatrical runs and community screenings for select films. |
| 3. Transactional (TVOD) | Rent and buy on Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play, Fandango at Home and more. |
| 4. Subscription (SVOD) | Licensing to subscription streaming services. |
| 5. Free streaming (AVOD & FAST) | Ad-supported platforms and free streaming channels that reach the largest audiences. |
| 6. Television & international | Pay TV, broadcast, and territory-by-territory sales worldwide. |
Where your film can go
Markets & Platforms
Theatrical
Limited theatrical releases and event screenings for select films with the audience to support them.
Transactional: Rent or Buy (TVOD / EST)
Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play, Fandango at Home, YouTube, and cable and satellite on-demand.
Subscription Streaming (SVOD)
Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock and niche services. Major services such as Netflix and Apple TV+ acquire through sales agents, film markets and festivals, typically for films with recognizable cast or strong festival performance.
Free Streaming (AVOD & FAST)
Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Prime Video’s free tier, and free ad-supported streaming channels on smart TVs. This is often the largest audience an independent film can reach, paid through a share of ad revenue.
Television
Pay TV, cable and broadcast licensing, including Spectrum, Comcast, DirecTV and Dish on-demand.
Physical Media
DVD and Blu-ray for select titles, through retail partners including Walmart, Target and Amazon.
International
Territory-by-territory sales through international film markets such as AFM, Cannes and Berlin, and direct relationships with foreign buyers.
Non-Theatrical & Specialty
Schools, universities, libraries, museums, faith organizations, airlines, cruise lines and the military.
What the rights mean
Distribution Rights, Explained
A distribution deal is a list of rights. Knowing what each one covers keeps you from giving away more than you sell.
| Right | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Theatrical | Public screenings in commercial cinemas where tickets are sold. |
| Pay television | Cable, satellite and premium channels viewers pay for, plus hotel and hospital systems. |
| Free television | Network, local and syndicated broadcasts viewers don’t pay to watch. |
| TVOD | A single rental fee for a title, watched on the viewer’s schedule. |
| EST | Electronic sell-through: the viewer buys a digital copy to keep. |
| SVOD | Access to a subscription service’s library for a monthly fee. |
| AVOD | Free streaming with ads inserted, watched on demand. |
| FAST | Free streaming channels that play scheduled programming with ads, like traditional TV. |
| Home video | Physical copies such as DVD and Blu-ray, sold or rented. |
| Non-theatrical | Screenings by schools, museums, festivals and organizations not in the cinema business. Fees are higher than home video because they include the right to show the film to groups. |
| Educational | Sale or license to schools, universities and libraries for teaching and research. |
| Transportation | Airlines, cruise ships, oil rigs and military bases. |
Before you submit
Submission Guidelines
We review completed feature films and series. To be considered:
- Running time: Features of at least 70 minutes
- Production value: Strong picture and sound quality, whatever the budget
- Genre: Any genre
- Master file: ProRes 422 HQ or better, HD minimum, 4K preferred, delivered by hard drive or secure file transfer
- Audio: A final mix plus an M&E (music and effects) track for international sales
- Captions: Closed captions or subtitle files
- Marketing materials: Trailer, key art, stills and synopsis
- Legal paperwork: Chain of title, music licenses, talent releases, and E&O (errors and omissions) insurance, or a plan to obtain it
Missing some of these? Our post-production and producer teams can complete deliverables before release.
How to submit
Send Us Your Film
Email us a private screener link, logline, synopsis, running time, cast list, and a list of the deliverables you have ready. We review every submission and reply with next steps.
Booking Notes
- Terms are set film by film. Every fee and expense is explained before you sign.
- Not every film fits every platform. We’ll tell you honestly where yours will perform best.