• FAQ

    Need to know little bit more about BidSlate®? Read our FAQ's for answers

Essentials

What is BidSlate®?

We are a user-friendly online marketplace, which allows Content-Distributors (Buyers) to purchase territorial distribution rights directly from Filmmakers (Sellers), simplifying content rights negotiations and transactions.

BidSlate® will facilitate the transaction process by offering an a-la-carte menu of rights, and deliverables to Buyers.

BidSlate® will continuously feature new content from the growing supply of high-quality media.  BidSlate® attracts the world’s Content-Distributors, making for a highly competitive, level purchase-process for territorial distribution rights, globally. 

 

What are the benefits of using BidSlate®?

Security, convenience, and accessibility for both Buyer and Seller

Buyers and Sellers negotiate directly, hence maximizing transaction value

Cutting costs and travel time for Buyers, who can then focus on content selection, and thus become more efficient and profitable

A convenient, accessible and inexpensive venue for Filmmakers to display their work to global distributors (5,000+ Worldwide Distributors/Exhibitors)

Complete elimination of excessive expenses charged to Sellers, thereby allowing higher revenue realization.

 

How does the transaction process work?

  1. A Buyer will make a Bid for the Territories and Rights desired, for the time desired;
  2. You, as the Seller will either ACCEPT, COUNTER, or REJECT the Bid;
  3. If you: 
    • ACCEPT, the Buyer will then need to submit payment to Payoneer;
    • COUNTER, you are given the opportunity to submit your own price;
    • REJECT, the transaction ends.
  4. Once Escrow is received, you have a set amount of time to deliver the content as per the terms of the transaction;
  5. Once the final content is accepted and approved by the Buyer, the monies are released to you, minus our 20% fee, and any relevant transaction fees.

 

Who is BidSlate®’s Escrow partner?

All transactions will be processed by globally recognized Escrow company, Payoneer.  Learn more on their site at https://www.payoneer.com/home/

 

How do I register? 

Click on JOIN at BidSlate®’s homepage and complete the simple form for either content-owner or distributor.

 

Who can join BidSlate®?

As BidSlate® exists to provide a secure platform where Content-Owners (Filmmakers, Agents, etc) and global Distributors can negotiate and transact directly, these are the entities that can JOIN.

 

How long does it take to become a member?

The verification process can take up to 48 hours.

 

Who do I contact if my questions have not been answered?

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any other questions and suggestions.  

 

Which web browsers are supported?

For Windows:

Internet Explorer (IE), versions 10 and above

Firefox, versions 29.0 and above

Chrome, current versions (Chrome updates automatically)

 

For Mac:

Firefox, versions 29.0 and above

Safari, versions 6.0 and above

Chrome, current versions (Chrome updates automatically) 

 

How do I report a site bug?

If you think you’ve found a site error on BidSlate®, try these troubleshooting steps before reporting the issue to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  1. Make sure that you’re using the current version of your web browser. 
  2. Try using a different web browser. 
  3. Try disabling any extra toolbars or add-ons that didn’t come with your web browser originally. 

If the above steps didn’t resolve the issue, you can report a new issue at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please include the following in your report:

  • A detailed description of the issue you’re experiencing, including steps to recreate the issue
  • The affected film
  • The URL of the affected webpage
  • A screenshot that shows the error you’ve encountered (learn how to take a screenshot here)
  • A list of the troubleshooting steps you’ve tried already 

We’ll do our best to remedy the issue in a timely fashion.

 

Filmmaker / Content-Owner Questions:

 

What is the cost to upload content?

It is free for content-users to upload content for sale.  

 

What is the fee charged to Content-Owners once a transaction is completed?

BidSlate's commission is 20%, charged to Sellers, for all incoming revenue

 

What content is accepted?

Film(s) to which you control the rights in at least one territory.  Content includes feature film, documentary, short film, TV show, episodic.  No adult material accepted.

 

How to add and associate assets to my BidSlate account?

First, you need to sign-up and register as a seller, on BidSlate.com.

Once approved by us, log-in to your account and you will be immediately taken to your dashboard page which will walk you through the onboarding process, including selecting the appropriate version, based on your computer's OS, of the new BidSlate Uploader.  

Click on the three hashmarks on the upper right corner of the page which will display several menu options, and click on My Film / Shorts Portfolio or My Series Portfolio; from there click Add a New Film and complete all the metadata fields for your title and save the metadata;

Once you've installed the BidSlate Uploader, log in to the Uploader with your BidSlate credentials, and begin to add all the media assets & technical files, mentioned above.  We recommend using simple naming convention for your files so that they are easily discernible after upload (ex. Title_Master_Feature.mov; Title_Master_Trailer.mov; Title_Closed_Caption.scc; etc.).  Master Trailer, Master Feature, and Poster Art are a must in order to b able to publish the film.

After you have completed the uploads of all the files, please go to BidSlate.com again, click on the 3 hashmarks on upper left corner and go to My Uploaded Media, click on each file and select:

Asset Type

Associated Title

Language of File

Once each file has been saved, you will be able to publish your project by going to your portfolio in the main menu and clicking on "Your Title is not yet published, click to publish".  Please note that depending on your internet speed and the size of the file, the BidSlate Uploader can take a while to upload your master feature. 

Required Assets

        1. Feature and/or Episodes (mandatory in order to publish title)

          BidSlate® requires a ProRes 422 HQ video file of the master feature / episode(s) (no maximum file size), which you can securely upload by utilizing the BidSlate® Uploader.  NO promotional urls / social media handles on master.  The feature/episode will be watermarked for your protection.
        2. Trailer (mandatory in order to publish title)

          BidSlate requires a ProRes 422 HQ video file of the master trailer (no maximum file size), which you can securely upload by utilizing the BidSlate® Uploader.  NO promotional urls on master.  Trailers are also NOT to contain profanity, nudity, drug use. 

        3. Metadata (mandatory)

          Under “My Film / Short Portfolio” and "My Series Portfolio" in your Dashboard, you can fill in the required metadata for each of your projects.  (Remove: We’ve designed it to be comprehensive, and simple.)

        4. Images (mandatory in order to publish title)

          • High Resolution Image file is required - 2,000 x 3,000 pixels Vertical (aspect ratio 2:3); RGB 300 dpi.  Can be securely uploaded by using the BidSlate® Uploader.
          • Clean version of artwork and film title ONLY - NO credits, laurels, urls, logos, social media handles, dates
          • JPEG / PNG / PSD/ PSD/ TIPP formats accepted

        5. Additional Artwork

          Stills - 1-5 images. High Resolution - 3,000 x 3,000 Horizontal; 300 dpi

        6. Closed Caption (mandatory in order to publish title) - SCC or SRT formats accepted.  Mandated by the FCC for distribution in the U.S.

        7. Final Script

        8. All Clearances - for all Music, Individuals interviewed or filmed, Images / Artwork filmed, etc.

        9. Music Cue Shee

        10. M&E file(s) - All separate audio, music, effects files.

        11. E&O Insurance - Insurance letter & policy, if applicable.

Removing a film?

You are subject to our Terms of Use.  A notice period of several weeks is necessary to remove a film.  

 

How can I select which territories and rights are available for sale?

Go to MANAGE FILM in your FILMMAKER SLATE.  Click on "TERRITORIES" and select the countries for sale.  Then back in MANAGE FILM click on “RIGHTS” and select the rights to sell.  

 

How many films can I submit?

You can submit as many films as you’d like, as long as you own the rights to the territories you allocate to sell on BidSlate®.

 

Is there a time limit that a film can be listed for sale on BidSlate®?

No.  You are in control of how long your film’s territories remain for sale on BidSlate®.

 

Does BidSlate® do Pre-Sales?

Not yet. 

 

Who can screen my film on BidSlate®?

Only verified members have access to screening films.  And remember, your film is watermarked for your protection.

 

Distributor Questions:

 

What is the cost of membership?

Membership is free for distributors. 

 

How are Distributors verified?

The BidSlate® team will perform a check based on the information provided in the application

 

How does the escrow process work?

Please view the FAQ for Payoneer -

 

I didn’t receive content.  Does BidSlate® offer insurance?  

Our escrow partner, Payoneer, is fully licensed and accredited as an escrow company.  You can learn how their bonded online system protects every transaction - https://www.payoneer.com/about-payoneer/

 

What to do if content received does not match the terms of the transaction agreement?

The Buyer will be able to reject the content’s received within a review period, at which point the Seller will have a specific period of time to deliver the appropriate content, at Sellers expense.

 

Can I cancel a Bid?

As a general rule, you cannot retract an ACCEPTED Bid.  Once a Bid is accepted, you agree to submit escrow payment. 

 

How do I ask the Seller a question about a film?

BidSlate® provides Filmmakers / Content-Owners with a platform to sell rights to their content. When you purchase rights from a BidSlate® Seller, you are buying from the content owner, and not BidSlate® itself. 

BidSlate® is not directly involved in the transaction between Buyers and Sellers. We encourage you to communicate directly with sellers through our onsite messaging system.

 

To send a conversation to a Seller from Film Page, click Ask a Question section. You can also find the Ask a Question on the Bid page.

Please keep in mind that BidSlate® has zero tolerance for use of an account on the BidSlate® platform to support or glorify hatred toward or otherwise demean people based upon: race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation.   Harsh language will not be tolerated.