Distribber
A premium distribution service that places independent films on major digital platforms
Overview
Distribber is a digital distribution service that helps independent filmmakers place their content on major platforms including iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and others. The service handles encoding, quality control, and delivery to each platform's specifications.
Filmmakers submit their finished content along with required deliverables, and Distribber manages the technical and administrative process of getting the film listed on each platform. The service also handles ongoing reporting and revenue collection.
How It Works
Distribber differentiates itself by letting filmmakers keep 100% of their revenue after the initial distribution fee, unlike revenue-share models. This can be advantageous for titles that generate significant ongoing income.
The upfront cost starts at approximately $1,000 or more depending on the number of platforms and territories selected. While this is a significant investment, the 100% revenue retention model can pay off for commercially viable titles.
Who Uses It
Best for filmmakers with commercial titles who expect strong sales and want to maximize long-term revenue. The upfront investment makes it less suitable for experimental or niche films with uncertain commercial prospects.
Pricing & Plans
Distribber charges an upfront distribution fee that starts at approximately $1,000 or more depending on the number of platforms and territories selected, with features adding to the base cost. Additional charges may apply for specific platform deliverables, closed captioning services, and expanded territorial distribution beyond the standard package. The key differentiator is that after paying the upfront fee, filmmakers keep 100% of all revenue generated by their content on every platform — there is no ongoing revenue share, commission, or platform percentage deducted from earnings. This 100% retention model means that the upfront investment functions like a fixed cost that, once recouped through sales, results in every subsequent dollar going directly to the filmmaker. Payment processing fees charged by individual platforms (typically 30% on iTunes, for example) are separate from Distribber's fee and are standard platform charges that apply regardless of how content is distributed. The total upfront investment, while significant for independent filmmakers, is potentially far less than the cumulative revenue-share percentage that aggregator models would take over the lifetime of a commercially successful title.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The 100% revenue retention model is Distribber's decisive advantage — for films that generate meaningful ongoing sales and rentals, the math overwhelmingly favors Distribber's fixed upfront fee over percentage-based models that take 20% or more of every dollar earned indefinitely. The service handles all technical aspects of distribution including encoding, quality control, and platform-specific deliverable preparation, ensuring your content meets the technical requirements of each platform without you needing to understand the specifications. Distribber places content on the most commercially important digital platforms including iTunes/Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, and others, providing access to the storefronts where the majority of transactional digital film sales occur. The fixed-cost model provides complete financial predictability — you know exactly what distribution costs upfront, with no surprises from escalating percentage-based fees as your content succeeds. Filmmakers retain full ownership and control of their content and can make changes to pricing, availability, and platform selection after the initial distribution. The professional preparation and delivery process means your film appears on major platforms with the same technical quality as studio releases, maintaining audience expectations and avoiding the quality issues that can plague self-distributed content.
What Could Be Better
The upfront cost of $1,000 or more represents a significant financial commitment with no guarantee of return, and many independent films fail to generate enough revenue to recoup the distribution fee, making it a losing investment for titles without commercial viability. The financial risk falls entirely on the filmmaker rather than being shared with the distributor, which contrasts unfavorably with revenue-share models like FilmHub where there is zero financial risk regardless of how the film performs commercially. Note: Distribber's parent company, GoDigital, has faced financial difficulties in the past, and filmmakers should research the company's current status and financial health before committing upfront funds, as distributor insolvency can result in lost access to platforms and unpaid revenue. The platform-specific revenue splits (such as Apple's 30% take) still apply and cannot be avoided regardless of distribution method, which means filmmakers do not actually receive 100% of the consumer's payment — they receive 100% of the platform's payout to the distributor. The upfront fee model is poorly suited for films with uncertain commercial prospects, niche audience appeal, or limited marketing support, as these titles are statistically unlikely to generate the revenue needed to justify the initial investment. Additional costs for closed captioning, extra platforms, and territorial expansion can push the total distribution investment well beyond the base $1,000, and filmmakers should request a complete itemized quote before committing.
Our Recommendation
Distribber is recommended specifically for filmmakers with commercially viable titles — meaning films with strong genre appeal, festival recognition, notable cast, or existing audience — who have realistic confidence that their content will generate meaningful sales over time. The 100% retention model makes the most financial sense when projected lifetime revenue significantly exceeds the upfront distribution fee, typically requiring a title to generate at least $3,000-5,000 or more in platform revenue to clearly justify the investment compared to a revenue-share alternative. For most first-time independent filmmakers without established audiences, the risk-free FilmHub model is a safer and more practical choice, as the majority of independent titles do not generate enough revenue to offset Distribber's upfront costs. Before investing in Distribber, research the company's current financial status and reputation, as the digital distribution landscape has experienced company closures and disruptions that have left filmmakers stranded. If you have a title with genuine commercial potential and the financial resources to invest in upfront distribution, Distribber's math is compelling — but only if the title can generate the revenue to make it worthwhile.
Pro Tips
Request a detailed, itemized quote from Distribber before committing, including all platform fees, territory charges, and deliverable preparation costs, so you can make an informed financial decision based on the actual total investment rather than the base price. Create a realistic revenue projection for your film based on comparable titles' performance on digital platforms, and use that projection to calculate whether the 100% retention model or a percentage-based model would generate more net income over the expected revenue lifetime of your title. Prepare all deliverables — including properly encoded masters, professional artwork in multiple formats, comprehensive metadata, and closed captions — before engaging with Distribber to avoid additional preparation fees and delays. Set competitive pricing for your title on each platform by researching what comparable independent films charge for rentals and purchases, as pricing too high reduces sales while pricing too low leaves money on the table. Monitor your revenue reports closely across all platforms after distribution, and actively market your film to drive sales that justify your upfront investment, as the distribution fee is only valuable if you do the ongoing promotional work needed to generate revenue.