Documentary Distribution

Before you submit a film to MEF for distribution consideration, please take time to browse our web site to see if your film looks like it would be a good fit. MEF produces the majority of our videos ourselves, so we take the decision to distribute films produced by other organizations or individuals very seriously. Decisions to distribute are based on a composite of factors including the topic of the film, comments from staff, how the film fits into our current catalog, and relevance to our mission: to encourage critical thinking and debate about the relationship between media ownership, commercial media content, and the democratic demand for free flows of information, diverse representations of ideas and people, and informed citizen participation.

We are currently considering films in the following content areas:

  • Critiques of media & culture
  • Examinations of representations of gender, or examinations of gender and culture
  • Examinations of representations of race, or examinations of race and culture
  • Critiques of commercial, corporate, or consumer culture
  • Indepth examinations of climate change
  • Examinations of progressive politics
  • Critiques or examinations of advertising or popular culture
  • Explorations or social media and its relationship to identity and culture
  • The culture of violence

General Distribution Submission Guidelines

Language
Films must be in English.

Running Time
MEF prefers films that are between 30 to 60 minutes. These fit best into classroom periods.

Prior Screenings
Please include a list of prior screenings of film, if applicable.

Prior Distribution
We only consider films with no prior distribution (this includes home-use retail distribution).

Master Materials
Programs may be originally produced in either SD or HD. Video must be provided in QuickTime format (either mailed on an external hard drive or uploaded via ftp). If your film is selected for distribution, additional details will be given.

Selection

Your film will be reviewed by a committee. If your film is selected for distribution, you will be offered a contract. Terms of contract offers may vary. You will be expected to provide:

1. A final master (QuickTime.mov file) of the completed film in hi-res. Our preference is to have the master shipped to us (on loan) on a hard-drive. We will return the hard-drive a.s.a.p. once we transfer the files. Either SD or HD is acceptable. Our preferred frame size is Full HD (1920×1080) and we prefer NTSC frame rates of either 23.976 fps or 29.97 fps.
2. Synopsis – A short, typed description of the film’s storyline.
3. Credits – A complete principal cast and production credits list.
4. A black and white or color photo of director (jpg preferred) and 75-500 word bio of director(s).
5. A time-coded transcript (preferably in SRT or VTT format).
6. A music cue sheet.
7. High-resolution stills or promotional images (jpg preferred). The more, the better.
8. Up-to-date list of all prior screenings, awards, reviews etc.
9. Optional: Artwork for a DVD wrap, poster, and/or disc art (Photoshop or InDesign files).
10. Optional: Trailer (delivered via QuickTime.mov file, DV-Cam, digital on hard-drive, DigiBeta, etc.).
11. Optional: Discussion guides, press kits, and/or ancillary educational materials.
12. Optional: Behind-the-scenes photos taken while the film was in production or at screenings.
13. Optional: A director’s statement.