How to Make, Distribute & Release a £33K Feature Film with Kevin Walls

Send us Fan Mail How do you make a feature film for around £33,000 and get it into cinemas without a traditional distributor? In this episode of The Honest Filmmaker, Jim talks to filmmaker Kevin Walls about his feature film *Premature* , from writing the first draft in just two weeks and bootstrapping the production, through to crowdfunding, a 23-day shoot and the challenge of distributing the finished film. Kevin explains why the film cost around £16,000 to produce, how crowdfunding helped take the overall budget to around £33,000 and how his freelance work helped him finance the project. But the conversation really gets interesting when they get onto distribution. After taking *Premature* to the European Film Market in Berlin, Kevin received distribution offers but decided to take a different route when the deals didn't include the theatrical release he wanted. Instead, he set up his own company and started approaching cinemas himself. Kevin talks about getting the film into cinemas, using YouTube and TikTok audience data to help sell the film to cinema bookers, negotiating ticket splits, getting PR and reviews and what he's learned from taking control of the release himself. They also discuss shooting on a tiny budget, getting filming permissions, working with a small crew, crowdfunding and what Kevin would do differently on his next feature. A practical conversation about making an independent film and what happens when you've finished it. 🎬 Watch Premature / find out more: https://www.prematurethemovie.com #IndieFilmmaking #FilmDistribution #MicroBudgetFilmmaking Check out the re-release of Jim's first solo directing feature The Witches Hammer - out now on amazon  https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F235F4T8/ref=atv\_dp\_share\_cu\_r Support the show For regular updates and exclusive content - sign up for The Honest Filmmaker newsletter https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/e-newsletter/ Join The Honest Filmmaker community on our Facebook Group or Discord https://thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk/index.php/join-the-community/ HONEST, OPEN ADVICE ABOUT YOUR FILMMAKING CAREER Are you about to leave Uni with a filmmaking degree? Or want to change careers and work in a creative industry? We want to give you the tools you need to enter the real world of production or freelancing. Honest and open career advice from people in the business. We also talk to those in other creative industries to discuss their careers, the potential cross over with film production and practical tips for a successful and fulfilling career. Join the community: http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk