Find your answers here
If you don't see your question below, please contact us. We're happy to respond as quickly as possible.
General
Why should I send you my film?
Why should I not send you my film?
What if I miss the film submission deadline?
Content
What kind of short films are you looking for?
What about duration?
Does my film need festival screenings or awards to be considered?
Can I send a rough-cut of my film?
Can I send you my friend's film?
Technical
What screening format can I send?
Can I send my film if it is not in English?
Selection
What is the selection process?
How do you choose a compilation's films?
Once chosen, how long until my film is released?
Other
What is your 50/50 profit share deal?
What is your Big Plan?
What rights do you want to license?
What if my film is already licensed elsewhere?
Where can I learn more about film rights and clearances?
If we have an agreement can I still make and sell my own DVDs?
Why should I send you my film?
• I don’t have a better offer. (What are you waiting for? Submit your film!)
• I’d rather work on my next film than market this one.
• I want someone other than my friends & family to see it.
• My film is cluttering up the shelf.
Why should I not send you my film?
• I have a better offer. (Really? Contact us. We'd like to know about it.)
• I’d rather market this film than work on my next one.
• I want only my friends & family to see it.
• My film is propping up the shelf.
What if I miss the film submission deadline?
Missing the film submission deadline is not the end of the -- !!
It seems arbitrary, but we use a deadline because:
- Deadlines make things happen. Otherwise, things get filed under "mañana..."
- We can schedule our time to give each film a fair, un-rushed viewing.
- It gives us time for all the selection follow-up; to gather, clear, prep, and author each compilation in time for a targeted market release.
But, don't wait until the last minute to send your film.
Send in your film as soon as possible. Why? For the same reason that you should submit early to film festivals. If your film is an early entry and we like it, then we'll look for complimentary films to round out the compilation.
But, if your film is the last one in, then we may have already selected another similar film, or there may not be room on this compilation for your film. Either way, you've missed this bus and will have to wait for the next one.
So, don't delay. Submit your film. Today!
What kind of short films are you looking for?
We're looking for great short films that fit into the vast category of "horror". They can be drama, documentary, comedy, live-action, dead-action, animation, stop motion, puppets, hand shadows, music videos, experimental, live performance, spoken word, mockumentary... etc.
The unifying idea for AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits is:
"Great horror stories, well told."
If it touches on the horror genre we want to see it.
We're looking for variety - and plenty of it.
So don't be modest. Consider this your engraved invitation to submit your film.
What about duration?
We have no pre-set duration requirement. If the film satisfies the viewer then it's the right length.
Each of our compilations holds around 110 minutes of material. A night's entertainment. So we mix and match films by length and subject matter to get the best collection in each volume. While longer films can earn a proportionally larger license fee - they also have to carry their weight. We're looking for tight, lean films - "ALL KILLER - NO FILLER"
Does my film need festival screenings or awards to be considered?
Heck, no. No. No. A thousand times, "No!" But it doesn’t hurt.
Just send us your best quality DVD screener. A good film is a good film. No matter how many elitist, in-bred, nepotistic, blind festival programmers pass it over.And please update us as your film's history changes.
Can I send you a rough-cut of my film?
We’d rather see your finished film to give it a fair evaluation.
Can I send you my friend’s film?
Sorry. We must deal with each film’s copyright owner. Just ask your friend to send us the film. Or, contact us with their web site info and we'll follow up.
And thanks for being a heads-up pal to your filmmaker friend.
What screening format can I send?
As technology evolves so will we. For now, we prefer DVD screeners (NTSC, Region 1 or 0).
We’re looking for films that already exist in a digital format. But don’t let that stop you from asking us about your film or video.
Can I send you my film if it’s not in English?
Si. Oui. Ja. Yes, definitely. But we do appreciate English subtitles.
To appeal to a wider audience our intent is to offer all our films with English, Spanish, and (possibly) French subtitles. If we license your subtitled film we may ask for a text-free version so we can subtitle it for other languages.
What is the selection process?
You send us your film. We acknowledge its receipt via e-mail. We watch your film and get back to you as quickly as possible. If we like your film we offer you our non-exclusive Licensing & Distribution Agreement.
How do you choose a compilation's films?
Our aim is to showcase the best indie horror films available to create balanced DVDs and ensure viewer satisfaction. We combine about 110 minutes of material per volume to make a night's worth of entertainment.
So, while we appreciate high production value, strong acting, and superb storytelling, we mainly ask:
"Is the film engaging?"
If we receive several films with a similar style or subject (e.g. zombies, vampires, comedies) we may spread them over two or more volumes. Likewise, we may later combine films to create themed volumes. Your film may be included on more than one volume, broadening your chances to make money.
We do have one selection caveat: The better you tell your story the more we’ll tolerate the exploitation elements. We’re not squeamish, but gore for its own sake is not our cup of java. Having said that, our tastes are our tastes. We will choose and promote films that we can represent in good conscience. Material that is disturbing for its own sake or that glorifies any kind of abuse (child, male, female, gay, animal, etc.) won’t pass muster here. Likewise, we’re cautious about linking to sites that skew to those tastes.
Once chosen, how long until my film is released?
That depends on the number of great films available to strike the next compilation. The more quality films we receive the more frequent our releases.
We aim to release a compilation at least once per year, or ASAP (As Soon As Profitable).
What is your 50/50 profit share deal?
We believe in having a win-win partnership with our filmmakers. And we want our filmmakers to succeed so other filmmakers will want to participate.
That's why we split the net profits 50/50 with our filmmakers.
In exchange for the non-exclusive right to distribute your film you get a license fee equal to half (50%) of the net profits from the sale of your film. We calculate your license fee based on the ratio of your film’s duration to the total content in a compilation or group of films. Our Licensing & Distribution Agreement has the full details.
It's the fairest model we've found.
What is your Big Plan?
Well, our Big Plan is to enter the home video DVD market through compilation volumes. Then later, we'll leverage our success in the DVD market, and make the collected films available to other markets and media to increase revenue and profit potential for ourselves and our filmmakers.
Think big, but start small and grow into success.
What rights do you want to license?
Okay. So now we're laying our cards on the table.
To make our win-win compilation business model work we're seeking non-exclusive universal rights in all media in perpetuity.
You'll see why this approach makes good sense in a second.
The 'non-exclusive' part is easy. It means that we license the film from you and you're still free to enter into other non-exclusive agreements. And you keep 100% ownership of your film.
'Non-exclusive' means leverage for filmmakers. We've seen several filmmakers trapped in exclusive distribution agreements where the distributor cannot or will not move their films. Those filmmakers have no recourse but to wait out the term of their agreement on the sidelines and take a wild guess at how many opportunities passed them by.
A non-exclusive agreement keeps us on our toes and ensures filmmakers get the best chance to profit from their short films.
'Universal rights' are necessary because the world is shrinking. Thanks to the Internet and satellite technology it's possible to sell films everywhere, and we plan to take advantage of that. By not limiting ourselves to national or geographic markets we increase the chances for revenue and profits.
'In all media' frees us to keep selling your film in as many forms and formats as possible, beyond the initial DVD package. Since technology advances quickly we must be adaptable to capitalize on those advances -- and not become extinct. VHS tapes, anyone?
'In perpetuity' means forever. That's a tough one. The simple reality is that it takes time to establish yourself in a market. And even more time to reach a critical mass of profitable sales.
It requires tireless effort and patience to win.
We're asking filmmakers to take a leap of faith -- the same leap you took when you declared to the world that against all odds you were making your film -- and to believe that with time on our side we will prevail and reap the rewards.
We trust that filmmakers will see the value to themselves of our long term win-win business model and embrace it.
What if my film is already licensed elsewhere?
Congratulations! We hope you're enjoying that partnership. However, the broader a net you cast the better your chances for reaching a paying audience.
We certainly want to see your film, but only if entering into an agreement with us does not violate an existing agreement. Call it professional courtesy.
And, if your exclusive agreement is about to expire, contact us with the details.
Where can I learn more about film rights and clearances?
It's not the last word on the subject, but you can download our "Film Rights & Clearance Guidelines" at the bottom of the Submit your film page.
If we have an agreement can I still make and sell my own DVDs?
Yes, of course. That’s what the whole “non-exclusive” thing is about. You keep 100% ownership of your film, so you can make and sell DVDs of your film and even enter into other non-exclusive agreements.
In fact, we're counting on our filmmakers' continuing efforts to promote and sell their films for everyone's benefit - yours, ours, and the legions of horror film fans who crave quality entertainment.