3 (simplified) Steps to Distributing a Documentary
On finding a distributor for a docuseries about how participants of a UBI experiment transformed their lives
Over 10 years and millions of dollars in the making, the Bootstraps docuseries follows 11 diverse American households for two and a half years as they participate in a groundbreaking basic income experiment.
We have a great story to share with you, but we also need to figure out where the show is going to live.
It’s no question that streaming platforms have reshaped the film and TV industry, which is why filmmakers (ourselves included) go through a process to pitch to a mix of traditional, digital, and hybrid platforms for their projects to be distributed to the right audience.
Step 1: Plan Out Who You Are Pitching To
Every streaming network and distributor have their own wishlist of projects based on their brand identity and audience demographic.
For example, Netflix generally leans towards “bingeable” and “second-screen-friendly” projects while Apple TV+ goes for “prestige” and “elevated” types of projects.
We found a fun Substack article that breaks down more examples, such as Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, and Paramount+:
Outside of streaming platforms, there’s other types of distributors:
Broadcasters/cable-satellite programming distributors (NBC, PBS, A&E, etc.)
Educational distributors
Home video distributors
Independent theatrical distributors
Studios (Warner Bros., Universal, Twentieth Century-Fox, etc.)
Theatrical distributors1
There’s even YouTube, the most accessible platform for independent filmmakers, where you can bypass industry barriers and release your documentary project to a global audience.
With infinite possibilities of distribution options mirroring the infinite possibilities of UBI, filmmakers (ourselves included) can work with an agent who has pre-existing relationships with distributors and can help you pitch your project.
Step 2: Pitch to Distributors & Negotiate a Deal
Starting this month (June 2026), we are pitching Bootstraps to streaming networks and distributors to find the show a home.
This step usually entails working with the sales agent, networking, crafting a marketing plan, building an online presence, generating press coverage, and creating buzz through promotional materials. If a distributor likes the pitch, we move into negotiating a distribution deal that includes contracts terms, rights, and revenue models.2
While this is a short explanation, this is probably the biggest and longest step out of this whole process that we could potentially expand upon later on.
Step 3: Where to Watch Bootstraps & What to Do After
The best part of the whole process: you watching the full docuseries!
Before the distribution window3, you’ll receive the big announcement on where you can watch Bootstraps through our social media channels and email newsletters.
To leverage the series to its fullest potential, our team is planning a national impact campaign of at least 100 free public screenings/events, a behind-the-scenes podcast, educational materials, and more to accompany the show’s release.
We also understand how deflating it can be to watch an inspiring docuseries and then not know what to do after.
This is why we’ll also have follow-up content and resources such as Comingle, a tool for us all to build and test out basic income together without waiting for government or philanthropy.
We have a lot planned and a lot to look forward to. Thank you for being along for the ride.
Subscribe for updates on where we are in the distribution process of our upcoming docuseries. 💛🎥
A Guide to Documentary Distributors (Documentary Magazine)
Mastering Documentary Distribution: How to Get Your Docuseries Noticed (Media Services)
A distribution window is the timeframe during which a docuseries is available on specific platforms and media channels, often with staggered releases across different formats such as theatrical, digital, TV, or home video.
Mastering Documentary Distribution: How to Get Your Docuseries Noticed (Media Services)