Frequently Asked Questions
MONEY
What does it cost me?
If you are delivering just one film, there is a one-time setup charge of $1495 (Now $1295 for a limited time), which covers all the encoding, chapter breaking, tagging, and general caretaking that we'll do to usher your film to full iTunes compliance and placement in the iTunes store.
After that, there is a flat annual payment of $59 per film to cover account maintenance.
For multiple films, contact us for discount info.
How and when do I get my money?
DSPs (digital service providers) generally send your sales information and money within 45 days after the end of the month in which the sale took place. As an example, if you had sales in the month of February, the store sends your sales information and money by April 15 (45 days after the end of February).
Distribber issues reports for every calendar quarter (ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31). Your report will include a summary of royalty payments received from iTunes for your film(s) during the previous 3 months and a check for 100% of those payments, unless there were none. You'll receive your report within thirty (30) days after the end of each quarter.
DELIVERABLES
What format must my film be in, in order to deliver to iTunes?
A hi-resolution tape, like Digibeta or Beta-SP. You may deliver your trailer either on a master tape, or as a file on a CD.
What format must my artwork be in, in order to deliver to iTunes?
Artwork can be in one of the following file formats: JPG, GIF or PNG. The image must have a resolution of at least 72 dpi. You may not include: credit blocks, email addresses, URLs, any other contact information or any pricing information. You must include the artwork file with your metadata form on a CD.
GETTING INTO THE STORE
Does my film get accepted automatically?
No. Submit your film's information on the Distribber homepage, and we'll let you know within two weeks. Then, you can sign the contract, pay and begin the deliverables process.
What are the acceptance guidelines?
While there are some rare exceptions, your film must:
- Be no racier than an MPAA R rating (if you don't have an actual rating, you know what an R means)
- Be longer than 75 minutes
- Be available on a high-resolution master (like DigiBeta)
- Have a trailer (either on a master tape or as a quicktime file on a CD)
- Have poster art available as a .jpeg file without a credit block, URL, or pricing info on it
- Have some bragging rights (e.g. festival selection, awards, stars, name producers/directors, good reviews, timely subject matter)
Your film must NOT
- Be pornographic
- Be waiting to clear any licenses (music or any other)
- Be a home movie
- Be any other kind of piece of @#** that wastes everyone's time
Do you take short films?
Not yet, but we hope to be able to place them in stores by next year (2010).
How long does it take for a film to go live in the iTunes store once paid for?
On average it takes about 4-6 weeks. Please remember, Distribber does not have control over when your film goes live -- but these are averages based on long-term distribution relationships with the DSP (digital service provider).
Is there a way to expedite my release?
Unfortunately no, not at this time, but we promise to cross our fingers for you.
How do I make changes to a film once I have paid for it?
Unfortunately there is no easy way to make changes to a film once you have paid for the delivery. We distribute your film immediately to the iTunes encoders for delivery and therefore cannot make changes to the delivered film.
So, be very careful that your information is correct!
How do I take down a film that has already been paid for?
If your film has been live on iTunes for at least six months then just contact us and we will process a takedown for you. For films that have not been live for at least six months there is an early takedown fee of $95. You can contact us to process your request at [email protected].
My go live date has passed, why is my film not live?
There could be multiple reasons for why a film may not be live before or after the projected go live date has passed. More often than not it is because there is an open issue that needs to be resolved. If your film is not live but your go live date has passed, please contact us.
OTHER STORES
Will you be offering access to other stores, like Jaman, Netflix, Joost, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon?
Yes! We are in discussions to add several more stores soon. You will be able to submit your film to additional stores for an additional fee.
MARKETING
Will you do anything to help market my movie?
We promote clients' films through our social media networks and our mailing list. We are also building a free marketing tutorial that we'll offer all clients to help drive traffic to their storefront pages. We push for prominent placement on the iTunes Independent Film and Documentaries homepages, and to tie-in with other iTunes properties (film and music) when relevant.