Season 6 Episode 14: FESTIVALS AND SELF-DISTRIBUTION – Choosing the Right Path for Your Film

🎬 Welcome back, Rebels!

Today’s episode of Low-Budget Rebels tackles one of the biggest, most confusing, and most career-defining decisions indie filmmakers face: What the hell do you do with your movie once it’s finished? Do you take the festival route and hope the right people notice? Or do you skip the gatekeepers entirely and push your film straight to the audience that actually wants it? There isn’t a universal “correct” answer — but there are smart ways to evaluate your options. And today’s guests bring a wealth of real-world experience to help you figure out which path is truly right for your film.

We kick things off with Taylor Morden, director of The Last Blockbuster, Getting Lost, and Bampire. Taylor lays out something that not enough filmmakers talk about: not every movie is meant for every release strategy. Different types of films thrive in different environments, and knowing your film’s identity early can save you pain and money later. Taylor digs into how he starts thinking about distribution before he even commits to a project — how the tone, subject matter, and intended audience can shape whether a film belongs on the festival circuit, in niche streaming spaces, or in the hands of fans as soon as possible.

Next up, Alejandro Montoya Marin, the mind behind Monday, Millennium Bugs, and The Unexpecteds, shares how community, relationships, and momentum play into distribution decisions. Alejandro talks about the emotional side of releasing a film, the importance of building a loyal fanbase, and how festivals can be part of a larger ecosystem — not the only metric of success.

Then Christopher Fox, director of Rub and My Father’s Echo, brings in a vital perspective on the business side: distribution red flags. We break down the bad deals, the traps hidden in contracts, and the promises distributors love to make but rarely deliver. Christopher offers invaluable insight into protecting your film, your rights, and your long-term career by recognizing when a deal simply isn’t worth it.

Finally, Aaron Carlson, creator of The Outrider and The Horrorverse Fan Film Series, talks about choosing a completely different path — skipping festivals altogether. Aaron dives into how YouTube, Filmhub, social media, and a direct connection to viewers can create more impact than a traditional festival run. He shares how building your own audience, controlling your release, and understanding modern viewing habits can turn a low-budget film into a real career stepping stone.

For filmmakers who feel shut out of festivals or simply uninterested in that route, Aaron offers a roadmap that’s refreshingly honest and achievable. This episode is all about clarity and empowerment. Whether you’re chasing laurels or bypassing them entirely, the goal is the same: find the path that aligns with your film, your resources, and your long-term creative goals.

And a huge thank you to everyone supporting Flush Studios on Patreon. Thanks to you, these episodes stay completely ad-free over there, allowing for deeper, uninterrupted conversations about the realities of indie filmmaking.

If you’re not already part of the community, you can join at patreon.com/flushstudios for early access, bonus content, and a direct line into the rebellion. More fearless filmmaking conversations are on the way — stay tuned, keep creating, and stay rebellious.

Cheers,
Josh