Indie Rights has been in business since 2000 and is a full service, global distributor with direct relationships to major distribution outlets.  Based on the experience of it's founders, Linda Nelson and Michael Madison, the need for a new type of distribution for truly independent films is evident.  Thousands of great independent films are made each year and never find an audience.  They play at film festivals all over the world and are never discovered by the sales agents and distributors that frequent only the top tier festivals such as Sundance, Toronto  and Cannes.  These festivals used to be filled with fresh original voices from new talent, but now act as marketing vehicles for "classic divisions" of major studios or showcases for already established actors, directors and producers.  Film Markets like AFM and Cannes are too costly and complex for most independent filmmakers to attend, but Indie Rights attends AFM and Cannes as an Exhibitor and can represent your film to international buyers.  We are also members of IFTA, the International Film and Television Alliance, the primary global distributors trade association.

Our global distribution contract is filmmaker-friendly, returning 80% of all revenue earned to the filmmaker. We charge no up-front fees or expenses, provide transparent quarterly reporting  and we work with all our filmmakers to educate them about the use of the most innovative marketing and social media tools available for marketing independent film.  We also support a private group of filmmakers that are committed to supporting each other.

To see our list of deliverables, click here.

"In my search for a distributor, none were as honest, transparent, and professional as Indie Rights. After reviewing dozens of distributors, it was Indie Rights’ positive reputation among filmmakers and clear and concise contract terms that was the deciding factor in our signing an exclusive worldwide contract with them. No sooner did we sign and the team at Indie Rights got quickly to work on the film assets we needed to deliver and methods on how to market our film and find an audience. Following their guidance, the film was released in over sixty countries on numerous platforms. With the film quickly trending, it didn’t take long for us to break even on our investment,  but to return that investment twice over. Make no mistake about it, filmmaking is a hard business, and the release and marketing of a film requires just as much dedication as making it. But with a solid distributor like Indie Rights, once you find your audience and market to it, a filmmaker has every opportunity at success.  I know, it was achieved with First Signal." - Mark Lund

Director, First Signal

"My experience of working with Indie Rights has been second to none. Linda, Michael and team are extremely well organized and will do everything within their power to distribute independent projects that they take on. I highly recommend that any independent filmmakers out there, who are without distribution for their projects, get in touch with the team and start capitalizing on their work. Indie Rights are transparent with all information shared and ensure filmmakers they collaborate with are kept up to date with the rapidly evolving industry which is vital to your success. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed." - Scott Altman

Director, Red Carpet

Thank you so much for this...your support is terrific.  Sales reps in our industry have often created the wrong reputation, with their business models...you are the gold standard, for the way, in which they all should operate.

Jane Merrow,

Actress, writer, producer

We were introduced to Linda and Michael during a time of uncertainty.  We were in the process of reviewing a distribution deal, which seemed a little too familiar based on discussions with my colleagues who had industry horror stories;  The Filmmaker sits idly by while the distributor recoups thousands of dollars before the filmmakers ever see a dime… and most of them never will. 

Linda and Michael answered all our questions without reserve and with complete transparency.  We were ultimately convinced this was the best place for our film.  There were no hidden costs, no recoup, or marketing attendance costs.  On the contrary, Indie Rights covered my admission to the AFM market in Santa Monica.  I am happy and pleased to say, our award winning film, Cicada Song has found its home. 

Cicada Song is currently streaming on several major platforms in 68 countries, has developed a worldwide fan base, and after our first quarter we were able to begin paying back our investors.  No other distributor we have encountered delivers as much to their filmmakers as Indie Rights Movies, especially the independent filmmaker. 

So… If you have the patience and YOU are willing to put the work in for the success of your film, Indie Rights has the tools; a guide to properly marketing your film on social media to help find and reach your audience, a community of like-minded filmmakers who are there for one another, and the ability to get your film on MAJOR platforms.  Linda and Michael are available every step of the way to help you get your film to your audience.

Michael Starr

CEO Homunculi Artists

Writer-Director-Producer, Cicada Song

“After interning with The Godfather producer Gray Frederickson while attending the University of Oklahoma, I learned first-hand the essentially impossible task of making and selling independent feature films. Gray used to say it was like trying to launch a satellite into orbit from your backyard. Nearly twenty years later, I'd finally finished my first feature, Goodnight Charlene.  Still, without a credible distributor, the film was almost at certain risk of remaining forever trapped in a hard drive.

I could go it alone, but deep down, I knew the film would just end up in a digital dustbin with countless other digital orphans.  Then i heard an interview Linda did for a filmmaking podcast.  She clearly outlined her release strategy and spoke with both authority and compassion on the subject of indie film distribution.

I found the Indie Rights website and called.  Linda picked up after a few rings and immediately started discussing my film with me.  After three years, a successful limited theatrical release, review in the LA Times and minutes streamed in the millions (all through Indie Rights) I can testify to the skill, credibility, and full transparency of Indie Rights.

Payments are prompt and the accounting is fully disclosed every quarter.  Linda is a true friend, coach and advocate to her filmmakers.  She has fostered an amazing community within the Indie Rights brand and i simply can't recommend here highly enough to every indie filmmaker."

Chris Zuhdi,

Skytrain Films, LLC. 

"I needed a distributor who understood small indie films and had a record of honesty and transparency for my film FIND ME. After having a nightmare situation with my last film where the distributor literally left the country without paying anyone, I did a ton of research and heard a lot of interviews and talk from Indie Rights and Linda Nelson, and heard how much they understood what it takes to get a small film out there that make a ton of sense. After talking to a bunch of Indie Rights’ filmmakers who praised them for paying on time and keeping up communication, as well as looking at their very simple deal with no hidden accounting or marketing costs, and the long amount of time they’ve been in the business, they seemed like the perfect choice for what we needed.

Since then, we have been very pleased with what Indie Rights was able to do for us. A combination of us being dedicated to our own marketing and Indie Rights being able to reach multiple digital platforms they’ve had years of experience with, allowed us to create an incredibly successful release for our microbudget film FIND ME, with great success on our initial Amazon downloads/rental release and then an explosion of viewership on Amazon Prime’s subscription platform, where FIND ME was on Amazon Prime’s Top Viewed lists for Drama, Comedy and Adventure films for two months straight. We’ve been able to reach a path to make our small budget back for our film, which has been an incredible accomplishment for our little film, and we’ve really appreciated Indie Rights’ knowledge, experience, accessibility and flexibility with our release, as well as honest, transparent on-time payments every quarter. In addition, we see they are making very efforts to stay ahead of the curve in figuring out what the next best digital platforms will be for indie films in this ever-changing market. I always recommend filmmakers be sure they check out different options for distribution to see what’s right for their particular film, but be sure to at least talk to Linda and Michael at Indie Rights, as they offer so many things beyond what many distributors may promise you.

Tom Huang

"We are indeed fortunate that Indie Rights discovered Druid Peak  and it could not have found a better "distribution home". They truly foster their films and filmmakers. Linda Nelson and Michael Madison are passionate and professional in every aspect of their business. They could not be more responsive, and constantly educate their filmmakers on what it takes to achieve successful distribution. It is a very personal relationship, with no question too trivial for their expert attention and response. Their endless patience with us as first-time filmmakers was and is remarkable.  Thanks to Indie Rights Druid Peak has had a well-received theatrical premiere, successful DVD and streaming release and some very exciting pending International deals. We are so very grateful and look forward to working with them on future film projects. I enthusiastically recommend Indie Rights!"

Maureen H Mayer

Executive Producer

Druid Peak Film

"Since Day One, I have felt complete confidence in and satisfaction with Indie Rights.  It has really been a highlight and pleasure in the long journey to get my film made and "out there" in the world to be a signatory with your company.  Indie Rights offers great support services and communication with filmmakers, and I know that you are all out there working to get the most eyes on your indie projects.  i have urged independent filmmakers who ask me for advice to seek online distribution of their projects with your company.  They couldn't do better than to do business with Indie Rights. You are without question the best distributors we've ever had for our films.  You are honest, always responsive, and do an excellent job in getting the films out to as many markets as possible. You've also created a real community of Indie Rights filmmakers via social media.  We truly appreciate your efforts very, very much."

Walter Dominguez

Weaving The Past

Indie Rights, you and Michael, are without question the best distributors we've ever had for our films.  You are honest (apparently a rarity in this business), always responsive, and do an excellent job in getting the films out to as many markets as possible. You've also created a real community of Indie Rights filmmakers via social media.  We truly appreciate your efforts very, very much.

Judith Voglesang

Stone Harbor Films