Services | Distribution

Documentary Distribution

Before you submit a film to Documentary Educational Resources for distribution, please take time to browse our web site to see if your film looks like it would be a good fit. We specialize in the educational market both for broadcast and classroom use. We also handle international sales and direct marketing to individual consumers.

General distribution submission guidelines

Language – Films must be in English or subtitled in English unless distribution is not intended for North American audience.

Running Time – Films may be no shorter than 5 minutes. While there is no limit on the maximum length of a film, the best selling films for our market are either 26–28 min, 52–58 min, or 82–88 min. Please specify if the film is part of a series.

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

Master Materials – Programs may be originally produced in video. Film must be made available as a 16mm or 35mm "composite" print with soundtrack and titles included. Film must also have a video or digital master on a HDCam Digital video tape, Digital Beta or BetaSP video tape for dubbing purposes. Video must be provided in Beta SP, DigiBeta, DVCPro50 or DVCAM. MiniDV must be transfered to DVCAM.

Submission Requirements

Format – All programs must be submitted on NTSC 1/2" VHS videotape or DVD format. All entries, as well as accompanying materials, will not be returned unless specifically requested.

Work In Progress – We consider projects in progress and will advise on editing. If your film is a work in progress, please describe your finished film and your intended changes in no more than 2 pages.

Make sure we have all your contact information; name, address, telephone, fax, email along with the following:

  1. Synopsis – A short, typed description of the film's storyline.
  2. Credits – A complete principal cast and production credits list.
  3. Contact Information – Clearly label your VHS or DVD with your contact information and running time of your video.

Submissions should be shipped prepaid and properly packaged to:

Attn: Film Submission
Documentary Educational Resources
101 Morse Street
Watertown, MA 02472

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. Completed composite film in Beta SP or Digial Beta or DVCAM
  2. A black and white or color photo of director, preferably a headshot, and 75-500 word bio of director(s)
  3. A time-coded transcript in the Google Video format starting at 00:00:15:00 (13 seconds for DER intro) plus 1 second before the start of the video (do not include leader). This timecode will be associated to the DVD we produce to make the video indexable by search engines.
  4. Black & white and/or color slide/print/digital images from film. The more, the better.
  5. Up-to-date list of all prior screenings, awards, reviews etc.
  6. DER produced intro and outro on the head and tail of video.