What Deliverables Do You Need After Signing an Indie Film Distribution Deal?

By Ostap Bender

Landing a distribution deal is one of the biggest milestones in independent filmmaking. But once the excitement wears off, the real work begins.

Most first-time filmmakers assume that delivering the finished movie is enough. In reality, distributors require dozens of files, legal documents, marketing assets, and technical deliverables before they can release your film on streaming platforms, Blu-ray, television, or internationally.

If you're preparing to deliver your film, here's what you should expect your distributor to request—and why each item matters.

What is an indie film delivery package?

A film delivery package is the complete collection of materials a distributor needs to market, legally protect, encode, and distribute your movie.

The feature itself is only one piece of the puzzle. A professional delivery package also includes promotional artwork, trailers, captions, legal paperwork, music documentation, audio masters, metadata, and production files.

The better organized your deliverables are, the faster your distributor can prepare your film for release.

What marketing assets does a distributor need?

Your distributor can't market a film without marketing materials.

Most distributors will request a complete Electronic Press Kit (EPK) along with promotional assets that can be shared with journalists, streaming platforms, retailers, and exhibitors.

Typical marketing deliverables include:

• Electronic Press Kit (EPK)

• Press kit

• Press quotes and reviews

• Festival laurels

• Award graphics

• Behind-the-scenes photography

• B-roll footage

• Cast and crew interviews

• Production stills

• Official trailer

• Promotional videos

• Sell points or marketing highlights

These materials become the foundation of your publicity campaign long after production has ended.

What artwork does a film distributor require?

Artwork is one of the most important deliverables because every streaming platform displays your movie differently.

Rather than supplying only a movie poster, you'll typically need multiple versions of your artwork for different platforms and screen sizes.

A distributor may request:

• The theatrical poster

• Vertical key art

• Horizontal key art

• Hero images

• Layered Photoshop or Illustrator files

• All fonts used in the design

• Unflattened artwork that allows the distributor to make revisions

Providing editable source files is important because distributors frequently need to resize artwork, translate text, add ratings, or create platform-specific variations.

Why do distributors ask for layered Photoshop files?

Many filmmakers only save flattened JPEGs of their poster. Unfortunately, that's rarely enough.

Distributors often need to:

• Remove taglines

• Change billing blocks

• Update review quotes

• Add awards

• Replace release dates

• Translate titles

• Resize artwork for streaming platforms

Layered Photoshop (.PSD) or Illustrator (.AI) files make these changes possible without rebuilding the artwork from scratch.

What video files does a distributor need?

The feature film itself must usually be delivered in a high-quality mastering format rather than a compressed viewing file.

Many distributors request:

• Apple ProRes HQ master

• Apple ProRes HQ trailer

• Textless versions

• High-quality audio masters

These files become the source for creating streaming, Blu-ray, broadcast, and international versions. Think of them as your film's digital master negatives.

Why do distributors ask for textless versions of the film?

If your opening titles or end credits are permanently burned into the image, distributors may request a textless version.

This allows them to:

• Translate titles

• Create foreign-language versions

• Replace credits

• Add localized graphics

• Prepare international releases

Even if your film only has a few title cards, providing textless versions can save significant time later.

What legal documents are required for film distribution?

One of the biggest surprises for first-time filmmakers is the amount of legal documentation involved. Distributors need proof that you legally own every aspect of the film.

Common legal deliverables include:

• Chain of Title

• Certificate of Origin

• Copyright registration

• Director agreements

• Writer agreements

• Actor contracts

• Composer agreements

• Music licenses

• Location agreements (when applicable)

• Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance

Without these documents, distributors may be unable to release your film.

What is a Chain of Title?

A Chain of Title is the legal record showing who owns the rights to your film.

It demonstrates that every transfer of ownership—from screenplay to final motion picture—is properly documented. Distributors request this because they need confidence that no one else can later claim ownership of the project.

Why does a distributor need music licensing agreements?

Music is one of the most common causes of distribution delays.

Even if you paid a composer or licensed a song during production, distributors need written documentation proving those rights were properly secured.

You'll typically be asked for:

• Composer agreements

• Sync licenses

• Master licenses

• Music cue sheets

Without these documents, streaming platforms may reject the film or limit where it can be distributed.

What is a music cue sheet?

A music cue sheet lists every piece of music used in the film.

It includes:

• Song title

• Composer

• Publisher

• Duration

• Where the music appears

Cue sheets help performance rights organizations correctly identify and compensate rights holders.

What accessibility files are needed for distribution?

Most streaming platforms now require accessibility features.

Your distributor may request:

• Closed captions (SCC files)

• Dialogue lists

• Subtitle files

• Audio splits

• Music and effects tracks (M&E)

These files allow your movie to reach wider audiences and comply with platform requirements.

Why is metadata important for film distribution?

Metadata tells streaming services exactly how to present your film.

This information includes:

• Synopsis

• Logline

• Genre

• Runtime

• Cast

• Crew

• Release year

• Keywords

• Content ratings

• Language

• Production company

Accurate metadata improves discoverability and helps audiences find your movie on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, Apple TV, and others.

What should filmmakers prepare before signing a distribution deal?

The best time to organize your deliverables isn't after signing a contract—it's during post-production.

Creating a well-organized archive of artwork, contracts, promotional materials, legal documents, and master files can dramatically reduce stress when a distributor requests deliveries on a tight deadline. Professional preparation also signals that you're easy to work with, something distributors value when deciding whether to collaborate again on future projects.

What are the most commonly overlooked film deliverables?

First-time filmmakers often remember the movie itself but overlook everything surrounding it.

The items most frequently forgotten include:

• Layered poster files

• Textless masters

• Music cue sheets

• Closed captions

• Chain of Title documents

• Copyright registration

• High-resolution production stills

• Behind-the-scenes footage

• B-roll

• Talent interviews

• Editable marketing artwork

• Metadata spreadsheets

Having these materials ready before your distributor asks for them can save weeks of scrambling and help keep your release schedule on track.