I've come to believe that every film has two stories.
The one audience sees on the screen.
And the one they never see.
The years it took to get financed. The sacrifices. The favors. The risks. The sleepless nights. The moments when you almost gave up.
I've realized that second story is often just as fascinating as the first.
What's one behind-the-scenes moment that audiences will never know about?
Hi everyone,
I’m very happy to have found this community (Reddit actually suggested it to me, and I’m glad it did).
My name is Sherif. I’ve worked in the arts and entertainment industry for over 36 years across different areas of film, media, and creative production. More recently, I’ve been working in digital distribution with an American company called Binge Networks, helping completed films and documentary projects reach streaming platforms and wider audiences.
As I’ve been reading discussions here, I’ve noticed many documentary filmmakers facing similar challenges — whether it’s funding, festival strategy, discoverability, revenue, or simply understanding today’s distribution landscape.
I’d genuinely love to hear from you:
What is the biggest challenge you’re facing right now with your documentary project?
Feel free to comment below or send me a DM if you prefer a private conversation.
Looking forward to learning from this community.
Have a great day.
A couple of weeks ago I asked this community what the most difficult part of online distribution was for filmmakers.
I was genuinely surprised by the response. Thank you to everyone who commented and sent DMs. The discussion generated a lot of thoughtful insights and real-world experiences.
What struck me most was that many questions eventually came back to a very simple one:
"Where do I start?"
After more than three decades working in different areas of the film industry, I've learned that distribution is often the least understood part of the filmmaking journey. Many creators know how to develop, produce, and even festival-launch a film, but once the project is finished, the path forward can feel unclear.
So I'm curious:
If you have a completed feature, documentary, series, or short film, what is the one thing about distribution that still confuses or frustrates you the most?
I'd love to continue learning from this community and hearing your perspectives.
Hi everyone,
Reddit suggested this community to me and I'm glad it did. I've been a fan of found footage horror for years, both as a horror fan and as someone who has spent more than three decades working in film festivals, film programming, and distribution.
One thing I've always found fascinating is how found footage continues to reinvent itself and connect with audiences, especially at a time when streaming platforms seem to have a growing appetite for horror and niche genres.
I've always been fascinated by how films such as Cannibal Holocaust (1980) are often credited as pioneers of found footage, but I sometimes wonder whether earlier films from the 1960s and 1970s were already experimenting with some of the same ideas. Curious to hear what this community thinks.
Looking forward to discovering new films, learning from fellow fans and filmmakers, and joining the conversation.
A scene from Cannibal Holocaust
What are some recent found footage titles that impressed you?
Hello r/horror,
My name is Sherif M. Awad and I’m a film curator with 36 years of industry experience. I am currently working with Binge Networks and helping indie horror creators scale their completed projects to networks like Shudder, and Tubi. Horror and thrillers are currently our highest-performing genres in the global digital market. DM me or comment if you have new or catalogue titles to discuss. Thanks a lot...
Hello r/horror,
My name is Sherif M. Awad and I’m a film curator with 36 years of industry experience. I am currently working with Binge Networks and helping indie horror creators scale their completed projects to networks like Shudder, and Tubi. Horror and thrillers are currently our highest-performing genres in the global digital market. DM me or comment if you have new or catalogue titles to discuss. Thanks a lot...
Hello r/cinematography,
My name is Sherif M. Awad, and I’ve been working internationally as a film critic, festival programmer, and journalist since 1990. Over the decades, I've handled marketing for major studios like Fox and Warner Bros. and served as a jury member for various international festivals.
Currently, I work as a video licensor and distribution aggregator for Binge Networks, where we manage content delivery across 150+ global platforms including Amazon Prime, Tubi, Roku, and major Smart TV ecosystems.
I wanted to share some insights on the technical side of the craft that often determines whether an independent film successfully passes Visual QC (Quality Control) for global syndication. In my current role, I see many projects stalled because they don't meet the "delivery-ready" standards of major streaming networks.
From a curatorial and distribution perspective, here are three things cinematographers should keep in mind for the current AVOD/FAST market:
I’m here to serve as a resource for this community. If you have questions about the technical requirements major platforms have or what curators look for visually when evaluating catalogs for global reach, feel free to drop a comment!
Hello r/filmproducers!
My name is Sherif M. Awad. I have been working internationally in the film industry since 1990 as a critic, festival programmer, and journalist.
Currently, I work as a video licensor and content aggregator with a leading US company. I am here to offer a direct distribution pipeline to independent filmmakers who have completed, fully wrapped projects and are looking for global reach.
Through our network, we deliver content to over 150 global streaming platforms, including major AVOD, SVOD, and FAST channels on Smart TV ecosystems. We work with all lengths and genres.
If you have a finished project ready for the market or just want to explore how the global aggregation process works, feel free to drop a comment below or send me a direct DM. Let's connect and get your work out there!
Filmmakers looking for online distribution. I am happy to help. Thanks
Hello r/Filmmakers,
My name is Sherif M. Awad. I have been working internationally in the film industry since 1990 as a critic, festival programmer, and journalist.
Currently, I work as a video licensor and content aggregator with a leading US company. I am here to offer a direct distribution pipeline to independent filmmakers who have completed, fully wrapped projects and are looking for global reach.
Through our network, we deliver content to over 150 global streaming platforms, including major AVOD, SVOD, and FAST channels on Smart TV ecosystems. We work with all lengths and genres.
If you have a finished project ready for the market or just want to explore how the global aggregation process works, feel free to drop a comment below or send me a direct DM. Let's connect and get your work out there!
Filmmakers looking for online distribution. I am happy to help. Thanks
Hello Indie Community,
My name is Sherif M. Awad. I’ve been working internationally as a film critic, festival programmer, and journalist since 1990.
Currently, I work as a video licensor and content aggregator for a major network, delivering completed films and series to 150+ global streaming platforms across Apple, Android, and major smart TV ecosystems.
I am here to help independent filmmakers find a global audience for their completed/wrapped content. We welcome all genres and project lengths:
If you have a finished project and want to explore distribution opportunities, feel free to drop a comment below or send me a DM directly.
Thank you, and I look forward to connecting with you!
Hello Indie Community,
My name is Sherif M. Awad. I’ve been working internationally as a film critic, festival programmer, and journalist since 1990.
Currently, I work as a video licensor and content aggregator for a major network, delivering completed films and series to 150+ global streaming platforms across Apple, Android, and major smart TV ecosystems.
I am here to help independent filmmakers find a global audience for their completed/wrapped content. We welcome all genres and project lengths:
If you have a finished project and want to explore distribution opportunities, feel free to drop a comment below or send me a DM directly.
Thank you, and I look forward to connecting with you!
Was curious if you post on social media OR you do paid promotion?
What is the most difficult challenge? finding a film festival (now most of them ask for submitting fees) OR finding online distribution deals?
For those of you with a finished feature, documentary, series or collection of shorts: what has been the most difficult part of moving toward online distribution?
For those of you with a finished feature, documentary, series, or collection of shorts: what has been the most difficult part of moving toward online distribution?
Did a video selfie to recover my Facebook several times. And got the temporary password but surprise surprise back to square one : You account is locked
