JONATHAN SADLER'S MAGUS FILMS — DISTRIBUTION & STRATEGY FOR INDEPENDENT FEATURES AND DOCUMENTARIES
A one-stop partner for strategy, Packaging, audience growth, distribution, design and practical route-to-market support from script to screen.
What's on offer
UK distribution support for completed independent features and documentaries, including cinema release planning and placement on platforms such as Amazon, Apple, YouTube and Sky Store.
Marketing and development consulting for early-stage projects, including market positioning, audience targeting and advice on budget strategy.
Creative and release support including key art, poster design, trailer creation, social media assets and PR coordination.
Technical delivery support for release materials, including masters preparation, DCP packages and KDM creation.
Self-distribution guidance through a transparent service-fee model rather than rights acquisition.
What they are looking for
Independent features and documentaries at either early development stage or as completed films ready for release support.
All genres and budget levels are welcome.
Projects should demonstrate clear market positioning and an understanding of their target audience.
Submissions should be presented professionally, with realistic cast attachments where relevant and appropriate to the budget.
Projects are reviewed case by case.
Who can apply
Filmmakers at any experience level.
Open to teams seeking either early-stage marketing and development support or UK distribution services for completed films.
What you need to include in your SMASH Pitch
Your SMASH Snapshot must include at minimum:
Logline
Format; Genre; Setting; Runtime
Brief Biog of key creatives
Synopsis with all major plot points — set up; inciting incident; rising conflict; mid story twist; crisis; climax and resolution.
Creative vision
Visual references (poster/concept art optional)
Budget range
Cast ideas (that would work with your budget)
Comparables (recent TV or Film at your budget level that capture a similar feeling or energy)
Any projects submitted without this information will not be accepted.
How to Apply
Create your FREE SMASH Pitch at app.mysmash.media.
Build your Snapshot with the required elements above.
Hit 'Share Project' and select Magus Films from the Call Out page.
Protect your IP
At SMASH, protecting your creative work is at the heart of everything we do. Every project uploaded to the platform is automatically timestamped and securely stored, giving you a verifiable digital record of ownership. Your pitch is only shared when you choose, and with the people you choose — ensuring your ideas remain yours, always. We call it Pitch Protection, and it's how we make sure creators can share their work with confidence, knowing their IP is safe and traceable.
Important Notes
It's FREE to create and submit a SMASH Pitch.
Questions? Contact: cupid@mysmash.media
About Magus Films
Independent UK film distributor and creative consultant helping filmmakers develop, position, market and release projects intelligently on realistic budgets.
Jonathan Sadler's Book Film Marketing & Distribution – An Independent Filmmaker’s Guide (2025) Practical steps for releasing films in a changing landscape is available here