How Films Really Get Distributed: SVOD, AVOD, Presales & Genre Truths Explained with Alan Green

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Alan Green, Head of Sales & Acquisitions at 123 Media, to break down how film distribution actually works — and why most indie filmmakers misunderstand it.

With decades of experience spanning 20th Century Fox, Pathé, international sales, and producing, Alan offers a brutally honest look at what sells, what doesn’t, and how filmmakers can avoid costly mistakes when trying to monetize their films.

In this episode, we cover:

• 🎥 Which film genres are most distributable (and why drama is the hardest sell)
• 📊 SVOD vs AVOD vs TVOD — how platforms really pay filmmakers
• 💰 Why Netflix deals are flat fees (and not per-view payouts)
• 🧠 The myth of self-distribution on Amazon Prime
• 🎯 Why distributors sell film packages, not individual titles
• 🧾 Presales, minimum guarantees (MGs), and why names still matter
• 🎬 How production quality impacts distribution decisions
• 📱 Vertical content, short-form storytelling, and the future of film
• 🎞️ Turning genre films into viable distribution assets
• 🏆 Festival strategy as a business tool — not just prestige

Alan also discusses producing the WWII revenge thriller Vindictive, opening at Dances With Films New York, and explains how hybrid genre films can bridge the gap between festivals and commercial success.

If you’re an independent filmmaker, producer, or content creator trying to understand how films make money after they’re finished — this episode is essential listening.