The Indie Coach

“Should I attend a film festival or a film market?”
My answer: A film market should absolutely be in your plan.
Festivals can help you build visibility, connect with audiences, and celebrate your work. Film markets put you in conversations about buyers, distribution, and getting your movie to paying audiences.
But showing up isn’t enough. Know who you want to meet, what you’re offering, and what you need to move forward.
A festival plan is a good thing. But when that’s your ONLY plan, you’re leaving too much of your film’s future to chance.
You worked hard to make your movie. Put that same intentionality into getting it to market.
👉 Ready to prepare for the American Film Market? Get the AFM Action Plan training:https://cart.filmmakingstuffhq.com/afm-action-plan-secure-order/
#IndependentFilm #AmericanFilmMarket #FilmFestivals #FilmDistribution #IndieFilmmaking

Making a good movie is only half the battle.
In this episode, I sit down with filmmaker and entrepreneur Steven Lloyd-Bennett to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing independent filmmakers today: getting their films seen.
Steven shares his perspective on why quality films can disappear after they’re finished, why filmmakers need to think about audience and distribution much earlier in the process, and how the traditional model of simply finding a distributor is changing.
We also dig into Steven’s work with JusB, his approach to social distribution, and what independent filmmakers can do to take more control over how their movies reach an audience.
In this conversation, we discuss:
Why good films still fail in distribution
The mistake of waiting until post-production to think about an audience
Why filmmakers need to understand the business side of filmmaking
Building an audience before your movie is finished
Direct-to-audience distribution
The difference between having followers and having an engaged community
Why filmmakers can’t rely on someone else to “save” their movie
The future of independent film distribution
Steven’s work with JusB
His film project Happy Sabbath
What filmmakers should be doing right now to better position their next project
Connect with Steven Lloyd-Bennett
TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@justevenb
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/justevenb
JusB | No Algorithms. Just People.https://beta.jusb.io/
Happy Sabbath | Film Independent:https://www.filmindependent.org/programs/fiscal-sponsorship/happy-sabbath/
About Steven Lloyd-Bennett
Steven Lloyd-Bennett is a filmmaker, entrepreneur, and the founder of JusB, a platform focused on helping creators connect films directly with audiences. His work explores new approaches to independent filmmaking, audience building, and distribution in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape.
If you’re an independent filmmaker trying to figure out not only how to make your movie, but how to actually get people to watch it, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Now get out there and make your movie.

Source:https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-wh2g6-1b3b317What would you do if you were 45 years old, had $10,000 saved, and had spent years trying to break into filmmaking?That’s the question I threw at filmmaker, founder of One Grand Film, and upcoming VIP Film and TV Summit presenter, AJ Rome, on this episode of the Indie Film Coach.His answer?Stop chasing the mythical person who is going to discover you, finance you, or finally give you permission to make your movie.Think strategically.Instead of spending $10,000, $50,000, or even $150,000 on a short film, sizzle reel, or proof of concept hoping someone says yes, ask a different question:What movie can I make right now that moves me toward the career I actually want?AJ and I get into:• Why filmmakers can lose a decade chasing one project• Why a finished feature changes the conversation• Why waiting for financing can sometimes be fear disguised as strategy• Why your first movie does NOT need to be your masterpiece• Why failure is part of building a real filmmaking career• And why sometimes you need to make the movie that gets you to the movie that gets you to your dream movieYou don’t need permission to become a filmmaker.You need to make films.Watch the latest episode of The Indie Film Coach with AJ Rome.Then get out there and make your movie.Follow AJ at: InstagramSkool community: https://www.skool.com/ogfilmskool/about?ref=73cb495bf60b46dd8e28a8ed64805a64 Video mentioned in this episode: https://youtu.be/nZeWOAliA6Y?si=rUsb3wnh6N__ScfB #IndieFilmCoach #IndependentFilmmaking #Filmmaking #FilmCareer #MakeYourMovie

What would you do if you were 45 years old, had $10,000 saved, and had spent years trying to break into filmmaking?That’s the question I threw at filmmaker, founder of One Grand Film, and upcoming VIP Film and TV Summit presenter, AJ Rome, on this episode of the Indie Film Coach.His answer?Stop chasing the mythical person who is going to discover you, finance you, or finally give you permission to make your movie.Think strategically.Instead of spending $10,000, $50,000, or even $150,000 on a short film, sizzle reel, or proof of concept hoping someone says yes, ask a different question:What movie can I make right now that moves me toward the career I actually want?AJ and I get into:• Why filmmakers can lose a decade chasing one project• Why a finished feature changes the conversation• Why waiting for financing can sometimes be fear disguised as strategy• Why your first movie does NOT need to be your masterpiece• Why failure is part of building a real filmmaking career• And why sometimes you need to make the movie that gets you to the movie that gets you to your dream movieYou don’t need permission to become a filmmaker.You need to make films.Watch the latest episode of The Indie Film Coach with AJ Rome.Then get out there and make your movie.Follow AJ at: https://www.instagram.com/onegrandfilm/Skool community: https://www.skool.com/ogfilmskool/about?ref=73cb495bf60b46dd8e28a8ed64805a64  Video mentioned in this episode: https://youtu.be/nZeWOAliA6Y?si=rUsb3wnh6N__ScfB  #IndieFilmCoach #IndependentFilmmaking #Filmmaking #FilmCareer #MakeYourMovie

What would you do if you were 45 years old, had $10,000 saved, and had spent years trying to break into filmmaking?
That’s the question I threw at filmmaker, founder of One Grand Film, and upcoming VIP Film and TV Summit presenter, AJ Rome, on this episode of the Indie Film Coach.
His answer?
Stop chasing the mythical person who is going to discover you, finance you, or finally give you permission to make your movie.
Think strategically.
Instead of spending $10,000, $50,000, or even $150,000 on a short film, sizzle reel, or proof of concept hoping someone says yes, ask a different question:
What movie can I make right now that moves me toward the career I actually want?
AJ and I get into:
• Why filmmakers can lose a decade chasing one project• Why a finished feature changes the conversation• Why waiting for financing can sometimes be fear disguised as strategy• Why your first movie does NOT need to be your masterpiece• Why failure is part of building a real filmmaking career• And why sometimes you need to make the movie that gets you to the movie that gets you to your dream movie
You don’t need permission to become a filmmaker.
You need to make films.
Watch the latest episode of The Indie Film Coach with AJ Rome.
Then get out there and make your movie.
Follow AJ at: Instagram
Skool community: https://www.skool.com/ogfilmskool/about?ref=73cb495bf60b46dd8e28a8ed64805a64 
Video mentioned in this episode: https://youtu.be/nZeWOAliA6Y?si=rUsb3wnh6N__ScfB 
#IndieFilmCoach #IndependentFilmmaking #Filmmaking #FilmCareer #MakeYourMovie

I recently sat down with filmmaker Bryan Redding, a writer, director, cinematographer, and the creator behind Deaf Director.
Bryan is deaf, and instead of allowing that to push him away from filmmaking, it has shaped the way he sees the craft. He has become intensely focused on visual storytelling, communication, preparation, and finding creative solutions when resources are limited.
We talk about his journey into filmmaking, writing and cinematography, the technology he uses to communicate on set, and what it took to direct American Deadbolt (find out where to watch HERE) on an incredibly tight production schedule, while navigating everything from the SAG strike to unexpected production challenges.
There is a lot filmmakers can learn from Bryan's approach: don't focus on what you don't have. Figure out how to tell the story with what you do have.
🎬 Watch the conversation and learn more about Bryan here:
https://www.youtube.com/@DeafDirectorhttps://www.bryanredding.com/
#Filmmaking #IndependentFilm #FilmDirector #Cinematography #VisualStorytelling

Most indie filmmakers think they have a rejection problem. They have a "nobody's waiting for it" problem. Here's the difference - and what to build first.
Free: VIP Film & TV Summit, August 30 – September 5, 2026. Film financiers, a distributor, and TV producers on how they actually evaluate and buy independent films.
Register: https://www.vipfilmandtvsummit.com/

Every feature needs more than a great idea.It needs a plan.In the newest episode of the Indie Coach Podcast, I sit down with Jon Fitzgerald, co-founder of the Slamdance Film Festival and former director of AFI Fest, to discuss how filmmakers can create a roadmap that takes their projects from concept to audience.Too many filmmakers concentrate entirely on developing and producing the movie, only to begin thinking about their audience, festival strategy, marketing, and distribution after the film is finished.By then, many of the most important decisions have already been made.Jon and I discuss why the creative, financial, production, audience, festival, and distribution sides of a feature must work together from the beginning.We also explore what it really means to participate in a film festival. Getting accepted is not enough. Filmmakers have to prepare, rally their teams, invite the industry, engage audiences, generate publicity, and create momentum that continues long after the screening.Jon’s next Feature Blueprint Lab begins July 30.It is a five-week, small-group experience that helps filmmakers create a customized roadmap for bringing their films from concept to audience. There are only a few spots remaining.Learn more and register here:https://www.jonfitzgerald.pro/blueprint.htmlEmail me for a discount code to receive 20% off.You can also read Jon’s “10 Keys to Festival Participation” here:https://onthefestcircuit.substack.com/p/10-keys-to-festival-participationWatch or listen to our complete conversation, and then get out there and make your movie.All the Best,Ron

Your film may not have a funding problem. It may have a risk problem.
In this episode, Ron breaks down a practical roadmap for moving a film from its highest-risk starting point toward full financing. You’ll learn how to raise development capital, build meaningful leverage, cross the 30% funding tipping point, secure the right attachments, and approach strategic partners when your project is ready.
Stop chasing the entire budget at once. Start reducing risk and building momentum.Get your FREE 15-minute Discovery call, and lets get your film made!
Head over to Ron Newcomb — The Indie Coach | Film Business Coach for Indie Filmmakers

Talking to investors too early could actually make your film harder to fund.
The industry tells filmmakers to start networking immediately. But conversations without leverage often lead to silence, rejection, and burned opportunities.
So, when should you approach potential partners? The answer may be later than you think.
Listen to learn what you need in place before making that call.
Listen before you make your next call to an investor, producer, or potential partner.
What leverage does your film currently have? Let me know by posting on my social media.