Beyond Netflix: Doc Distribution Strategies in 2026?

Hey everyone,

I'm producing a feature doc right now, it's a character-driven piece about community resilience, and I'm really proud of the story we've captured. We're heading into post-production soon, and the distribution conversation is starting to weigh on me.

I keep hearing that the streaming acquisition market has really tightened up since 2020. My dream, like many, used to be a big streamer picking us up, but I'm realizing that's increasingly a long shot these days. We've been looking into film festival circuits, and exploring grassroots outreach, but I feel like I'm missing something bigger.

For those of you successfully navigating the landscape, what are the savvy documentarians doing in 2026 to get their work seen and funded? What does a realistic, successful distribution strategy look like beyond just hoping for that big Netflix deal?