The Sundance Film Festival is back. And with the festival, we can expect stories in the news about the latest “big” acquisition of premiering films. But while the headlines focus on the acquisition price, we want to understand what’s going on beyond the number. How do these deals get done — and more importantly — what happens with the 99% of films that DON’T get picked up for distribution in a bidding war.
To learn more about how films get from production to distribution, we sat down with industry veteran Gary Rubin. In the go-go 90’s and early aughts, he was buying films at Artisan Entertainment, including being involved with the acquisition of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT.
Later, he formed his own company, First Independent Pictures, handling the distribution of BIG FAN and HOLY ROLLERS.
Lately, he’s switched to the other side, helping producers position their films for sale as a sales agent.
And when buyers don’t bite, he’s ready to step in as a marketing consultant, guiding filmmakers through the process of self-distribution.
Making a film is a huge challenge. But in many respects, actually getting it in front of an audience is even tougher.
So if you’re a filmmaker, or even just an interested consumer of independent films, you’ll want to listen in and learn more from our “inside baseball” conversation with Gary Rubin, on INSIDE THE ARTHOUSE… starting now.
Gary Rubin has over 30 years of experience in film and television spanning acquisitions, production, distribution, and management. He has acquired nearly 100 films and helped generate multiple nine-figure domestic sales.
He is the founder of GRC Indie Film Consulting, a sales and consulting agency representing new and library titles for major streaming and distribution clients, and recently oversaw the self-distribution of The Automat, nominated for four Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards, including Best Documentary Feature. Previously, Rubin held senior executive roles at Menemsha Films, Cohen Media Group, Artisan Entertainment, October Films, and Prism Pictures, and founded First Independent Pictures.
Rubin is a University of Michigan graduate and occasionally teaches indie acquisition, distribution, and finance. Through GRC, he serves as a Domestic Film Sales Agent and Indie Film Consultant, providing content sales, distribution strategy, and consulting across all phases of production and distribution.