eOne Alum| Founder, Zaka | Filmhub Black Cinema | Film Acquisition Executive | Uplevelling the stories of underrepresented communities through digital content and film.
One of the biggest challenges facing Black filmmakers today is the lack of transparency in film distribution. Many filmmakers of color enter negotiations without a clear understanding of the basic deal points that most distributors offer. A majority of first-time filmmakers don’t have the funds to hire an attorney to review their distribution contracts. Too often, filmmakers have told me they were unaware of certain charges or had no idea what the distributor was doing with their title. This gap in knowledge frequently leads to confusion, skepticism, and, in some cases, exploitation. The root of this issue isn’t just a lack of resources, it’s an industry-wide culture that has historically kept filmmakers in the dark. This skepticism toward distributors and studios isn’t unfounded; it starts from years of filmmakers feeling undervalued and excluded from critical decisions about their own work. Too often, deals are structured without clear communication about licensing terms, payment schedules, or release strategies. Without access to this information, filmmakers struggle to make informed decisions about their careers. Transparency should be the standard, not the exception. Filmmakers deserve open access to information about their deals and clear expectations upfront. The industry must recognize that success is built on the creativity and hard work of filmmakers, not the other way around. Prioritizing transparency, integrity, and collaboration benefits everyone, creating an ecosystem where filmmakers can thrive rather than struggle to navigate hidden complexities.