UIFF Brings Distributors to Filmmakers

For every filmmaker, the journey doesn’t end when the final cut is locked. The real challenge, and the ultimate goal, is getting your film seen—not just by audiences, but by the industry professionals who can launch your career. The big question always is: how do you break through the noise and get your work in front of distributors?

After years of research and conversations with filmmakers and industry executives, we’ve confirmed what many have long suspected: distributors are actively looking for new content, but they love discovering it through a trusted filter. A film festival selection acts as powerful third-party validation, signaling that a film is worth their time.

At the Utah International Film Festival (UIFF), we’ve made bridging this gap our mission. We don’t just want to screen your film; we want to help you get it sold.

This year, we are thrilled to be teaming up with an incredible and growing roster of distributors and sales representatives. These are companies covering a vast range of genres and formats, and many of them have a proven track record of acquiring UIFF-selected films.

We’re excited to announce the first round of industry partners who will be considering films from this year’s official selection.

Meet the Distributors Looking at UIFF Films

Here are just a few of the amazing companies that have partnered with us, along with some of the UIFF films they’ve helped bring to a wider audience:

Epic Pictures Group (Los Angeles, CA)
Known for its incredible catalogue of genre films, Epic Pictures picked up the UIFF award-winner He Never Left. They are a powerhouse for horror, thriller, action, and episodic content.

Indican Pictures (West Hollywood, CA)
Indican has previously acquired UIFF films like Big Bad and Lore. Their catalogue features popular horror and action films, but also represents a wide variety of other genres, including Drama, Sci-Fi, and Westerns.

New Films International (Las Vegas, NV)
This Las Vegas-based distributor picked up the UIFF-nominated film Entity Project. They have a strong interest in Comedy, Horror, Action, Sci-Fi, and Kids’ programming.

Poorhouse International (London, UK)
Proving our international reach, Poorhouse has already acquired last season’s submission, The Diamond Couple. They are a premier destination for compelling documentaries as well as music and arts programs.

Wonderphil Entertainment (Pacific Grove, CA)
Sales representative Phill Gorn of Wonderphil Entertainment picked up the UIFF nominee The Hello Girls. Wonderphil represents a huge range of films and series, including Reality TV, Documentaries, Romance, Horror, and Action.

Twin Engines Global (Chandler Heights, AZ)
A merger of BMG-Global and Desktop Entertainment, Twin Engines has a history of acquiring UIFF films, including Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace, The Last Page, Thy Neighbor, Before Your Time, and Point B. BMG-Global focuses on family-friendly and faith-based content, while Desktop Entertainment seeks original content from light-hearted entertainment to thought-provoking cinema.

Candlelight Media Group (Orem, UT)
A local powerhouse with a global reach, Candlelight specializes in family-friendly features and rom-coms, like the UIFF winner Love in Focus. Their diverse catalogue, which includes many UIFF alumni, also spans comedy, horror, fantasy, and action. Just look at this list: Magellan, The Mythica Anthology, We All Fall Down, Resilience and the Lost Gems, Osombie, Minor Details, Cyborg X, Meerkat Moonship, One Shot, Heaven’s Door, Survivor, Orcs!, The Maze, Dark Harbor, 8 Stories, Orc Wars, Missed Connections, Christmas Dragon, 16 Stones, and You’re So Cupid. Wow!

Koan (Park City, UT)
Representing over 300 films on the international market, Koan is always on the lookout for great content. Previous UIFF films they’ve acquired include: Even in Dreams, The Santa Box, 626 Evolution, Come Unto Me, The Last Decent, Freetown, He Knows My Name, The Cokeville Miracle, Dragon Warriors, and Christmas Oranges.

Purdie Distribution (Apache Junction, AZ)
A theatrical distribution company known for successful nationwide releases of independent films, Purdie Distribution has a long and successful history with UIFF filmmakers on titles like Unicorn City, The Saratov Approach, Skinwalker Ranch, Inspired Guns, Once I Was a Beehive, Out of Liberty, Witnesses, and Remembering Heaven.

As you can see, there is a lot of overlap as our partners focus on specific markets, from theatrical runs to domestic and international sales. And this is just the beginning—we’ll be announcing more partners soon!

More Than Just Distribution Deals

We know that a filmmaker’s needs go beyond distribution. That’s why we’re expanding our industry connections even further. In the coming weeks, we’ll be announcing partnerships with:

• Literary agents for screenwriters.

• Talent agents for actors.

• Production companies looking to greenlight shorts and features.

UIFF is building a complete ecosystem of opportunity for creators at every stage of their careers.

Don’t Miss Out on the Party!

Your film deserves to be seen. Your script deserves to be read. Your talent deserves to be discovered. The Utah International Film Festival is your platform to make that happen.

Don’t let your hard work sit on a hard drive. Submit your project today and put it in front of people who can change your career.