Unfortunately, most documentaries--even those that win awards and are recognized as masterpieces--don't receive theatrical distribution. It’s sad, but true for the foreseeable future.
And, even films that are released theatrically, usually have limited runs in several select cinemas in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and a few other big markets. If you live elsewhere, you're out of luck.
For any number of reasons, financial or otherwise, DVD releases of documentaries often take long enough for people who want to see them to get quite impatient. Frustrations run high.
Grass Roots Activism to Watch and Support Documentaries
The best--and probably only--way to revise this situation is through grass roots activism that proves to distributors that there’s great interest in and a viable market for documentaries. So, let your frustrations compel you to join the pro-documentaries activists.
How?
On the theatrical front, have everyone you know petition your local multiplex or art house managers to book documentaries. When a documentary is booked--whether because it’s directed by Michael Moore or another famous doc maker, or has a relatively deep-pocketed distributor such as Fox Searchlight or Sony Pictures Classics behind it, or just by happenstance or thanks to your grass roots efforts--get as many people as possible to buy tickets and see it. Lobbying local theaters to show documentaries should be done throughout the year on a regular basis, not just during Oscars season. But Oscars season--when several very appealing documentaries are getting nationwide publicity--is a good time to begin.
Take Advantage of Alternative Distribution Channels
Then, there’s digital distribution to boost. Documentaries--even those that have had theatrical releases--vie for a next big opportunity to be seen via broadcast dates on PBS, HBO, IFC, the Sundance Channel and other documentary-friendly TV outlets.
Broadcast premiers are often scheduled just before or in conjunction with DVD releases--and, increasingly, with online streaming. Many worthy documentaries that don't get broadcast or streaming deals are released directly on DVDs, purchasable directly from the films’ producers or available through distributors such as Docurama, First Run Features or others with a good catalog of nonfiction films. PBS, HBO and the other networks offer DVDs on their Websites, too.
Using the Internet To Find Documentaries
Use the Internet to track availability of the documentaries you're interest in. Sign up for newsletters with up-to-the-minute information about broadcast schedules and DVD release dates.Most importantly, buy DVDs of documentaries because--again--that's an effective way to demonstrate to distributors that there's a viable market for nonfiction films. Your efforts--and their sales tallies--have cumulative effect. The more documentaries distributors sell on DVD, the more titles they'll make available.
