All that glitters is not gold

by Nicki Micheaux

Mar 24, 2026

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Okay so last week Variety published this piece about all these new distribution companies coming to save indie film — Row K, Black Bear, Sumerian Pictures, Watermelon Pictures, Magenta Light Studios. New money, new energy, new hope for mid-budget films that the studios have completely walked away from. And honestly? The excitement is warranted.

But then seven days later...Row K imploded.

We're talking unpaid vendors, executives heading for the exit, and Maude Apatow's directorial debut just sitting there with no release date. Gus Van Sant's film opened to $2.5 million. The whole thing unraveled in real time.

Here's what I want you to take from this. The opportunity is real — more buyers in the market means more doors for your film. But a distribution deal is only as good as the company behind it. So before you sign anything, I want you to ask three questions:

Who is actually funding the releases? Vision is not a budget. Make sure the P&A money is committed — not still being raised.

Are they paying their vendors? Ask for references. If the people on the back end aren't getting paid, your film is not a priority.

Are the key people staying? You're signing with humans, not just a company name. If the person who believes in your film walks out six months in, then what?

Your film is too important to hand to a distributor that's built to launch but not built to last. Do your homework, ask the hard questions, and walk through the right door.

Rooting for ya,

Nicki

P.S. - If you know a filmmaker who needs to hear this, forward this email. It might save their film.

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All that glitters is not gold

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