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Beyond the Distributor: Theatrical Exhibition for Independently-Released Films

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  • Alex Megaro, Moderator
  • Michael Tuckman, Speaker
  • Ryan Kane, Speaker

Green and blue flyer for IDA event Beyond the Distributor: Theatrical Exhibition for Independently-Released Films. Thursday, February 5, 2026, 10AM, Zoom

For filmmakers, the much-heralded warning of the “end of cinemas” and the supposed impossibility of distribution deals might make theatrical roadshows and self-releases seem out of reach. For filmmakers pursuing direct distribution, there are many practical hurdles. While filmmakers can contact theater operators directly to get our films booked, we often lack the necessary relationships, capacity, and experience to do so. Into this gap, film bookers* can act as experienced brokers.

In this virtual panel, we will meet leading film bookers working in the U.S. and hear about the strategies and opportunities for placing independent films in theaters. How do they approach the daunting task of identifying the best venues for a given film? What factors do theaters consider? A documentary producer will moderate this session to filter their expertise, illuminate this vital part of a film’s release strategy, and help you determine whether working with film bookers is right for you and your films.

*For the purposes of this program and panel, we will use the term “film booker” to describe an entity that is hired to place a film within theaters. This program won’t focus on the booker role that is hired by theaters looking for films to book.

Attendees and Participation

  • Open to the public for registration
  • The first hour will feature the panel, followed by a live Q&A
  • The recording will be available on the IDA website for one month. After one month of being public, the recording will live in the IDA Member Portal

Access:

If you have any access needs that you would like to share with us, please email access@documentary.org at least two weeks prior to the event. We will do our best to accommodate. 

Automatic Zoom captions will be turned on for the Webinar. 

Code of Conduct

All participants agree to read and approve the IDA Events Code of Conduct here.


Event Participants

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    Headshot of Alex Megaro

    Alex Megaro

    Alex Megaro is a filmmaker best known for producing/editing WTO/99, winner of the IDA Award for Best Editing, and Driftwood, winner of the Slamdance Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Feature. He directed the multi-award-winning documentary short Krush the Wrestler, produced/edited two seasons of the VICE documentary series Source Material, and produced the Sheffield Doc Fest and AFI Docs official selection 8:08 How We Respond

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    Headshot of Michael Tuckman

    Michael Tuckman

    mTuckman Media offers theatrical distribution services and works directly with filmmakers and niche distributors as a theatrical booker. Releases include Rory Kennedy’s Academy Award-nominated Last Days in Vietnam and the Oscar-shortlisted documentaries Ex-Libris: The New York Public Library, Detropia, Union and Coexistence My Ass. Other releases include Frederick Wiseman’s last seven films and the Gotham Awards and Cinema Eye Honors nominees Columbus and Bisbee ’17.  

    Since 2020, Tuckman has also overseen all releases from MTV Documentary Films, including Academy Award nominees Black Box Diaries, The Eternal Memory,  and Ascension, as well as the Oscar-shortlisted films 76 Days and Last Flight Home.

    Recent releases include the 2025 Oscar winner No Other Land, which Tuckman guided to over $2.5 million at the box office, making it the highest-grossing documentary nominee or winner since Free Solo, and Secret Mall Apartment, which is approaching $1 million gross.

    Image
    headshot of Ryan Kane

    Ryan Kane

    Ryan Kane is a film distribution consultant, theatrical booker, and impact producer. With over a decade in the film distribution industry, Ryan Kane has contributed to six Oscar-nominated campaigns and over 50 theatrical releases through the likes of GKIDS Films, Utopia, and select self-distributed projects. Inspired by a globe-trotting sabbatical in 2022, he brings a mission-driven approach to the industry in combining his creative distribution background with the field of impact producing—engaging in alternative distribution strategies, building collaborative partnerships, and cultivating target audiences. Dedicated to supporting boundary-pushing narratives, international cinema, and films with social/environmental impact, his experience spans theatrical, non-theatrical, and digital platforms.

    Recent documentary work includes Megadoc (Official Selection, Venice Film Festival), Pavements (Official Selection, Venice Film Festival), Hung Up On a Dream: The Zombies Documentary (Official Selection, SXSW), American Cats (Official Selection, Hot Docs), and I Like It Here (Official Selection, True/False Film Festival).