Phil Hobden - Distribution Guru

In terms of introduction, I always wonder how I can share my credentials without sounding like a pompous arse. So here I go…

Based in the UK, aged 32 this year (sigh!) I’ve been involved in Indie filmmaking for almost 15 years now. I’ve been a director, writer and producer on over 40 independent projects from adverts, music videos & short films. I have produced two feature films now, one for under $20k USD and the other a (little) bit more.

The first film LEFT FOR DEAD started shooting in 2002 and finished in 2004. Picked up by sales agent Wordwide Releasing LLC at Cannes that year. As of now it’s been released in over 14 countries (including UK, USA and others) – not bad for a DV action film with no stars.

It wasn’t always easy and we didn’t always get it right… it was our first film and mistakes were made. Brokering the UK deal for Left For Dead ourselves we quickly learnt our first lesson hard-way about film distribution & sales – that there are a lot of shysters out there. Soon after that we leant our second lesson with our US sales deal – read the small print ($50k in unaccounted marketing costs is a touch excessive!). We lean these lessons so you don’t have to…

May 2008 saw our second film TEN DEAD MEN arrive in Cannes, care of our sales agent IFM World Releasing Inc and as of writing this so far has sold three key territories with several others pending or expected.

Between Ten Dead Men & Left For Dead we have had over 100 pages of coverage in magazines alone, as well as radio & TV coverage with everyone from local Southern Counties radio to the BBC & Sky News. I quickly learnt that skilled marketing could help even the most modest of films be successful.

Outside of filmmaking I also write for several magazines including a regular column for Combat Magazine in the UK where I am their film editor.

As for the actual reason why I’m here: I’ve known Clive on an off for a few years now, having traded blows with him across the IndieTalk forum on everything from what makes a good script, to the arguments for and against piracy. But my favourite topics of discussion were always around film sales, distribution and marketing… three of the biggest things that us, as independent filmmakers, tend to neglect.

And that, I guess, is why I’m here today, writing this as 1000dollarfilms new resident guru on film sales, distribution and marketing. But I’m not just here to share points of view, stories or ideas. I here to help. So you have a question? Send it over and I’ll try my best to answer it.

So that’s me in the shell of the nut, laid out in front of you and ready to start. Any questions? No… let’s begin!

Next Time: Do’s & Don’ts of Film Sales

Phil Hobden is an independent filmmaker and freelance writer. Having produced UK action films LEFT FOR DEAD & TEN DEAD MEN he is currently developing his third feature film through his company Modern Life? In addition he is the editor for UK themed www.lovebritishfilm.com as well as writing for various websites and magazines including action film focused Impact and Combat. For more on Phil Hobden check out www.philhobden.co.uk or www.mod-life.net