Echelon Studios
Echelon Studios is a Los Angeles-based independent film production, domestic distribution, and foreign sales licensing company that acquires rights to films and distributes them across theatrical, VOD/FAST, broadcast, cable, PPV, hotel, and airline channels to global audiences.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Echelon Studios does
Echelon Studios is an independent film production, domestic distribution, and foreign film sales licensing company headquartered in Los Angeles with a registered office in Dover, Delaware. Founded in 2004, the company acquires content rights (features, documentaries, shorts, TV series) and monetizes them across a full distribution stack: theatrical releases coordinated with partner distributors, VOD/TVOD across 100+ digital platforms (iTunes, Netflix, Amazon, Tubi, Roku, Plex, Google Play, Hulu, VUDU), FAST channels under the A-Z brand family (A-Z B-Flix, A-Z Classic Flix, A-Z Classic TV, A-Z Western Grit), pay cable and broadcast licensing (HBO, Showtime, Starz, Lifetime, USA Networks, Hallmark), satellite providers (DirecTV, DISH), PPV (InDemand/Comcast, TVN), hotel entertainment (LodgeNet, Spectra-Vision, On Command, MegiNet, SVI), airline in-flight entertainment, and physical media via specialty partners such as Terror Vision. The company represents over 300 production and releasing companies globally, maintains a catalog of 5,000+ first-run titles, 15,000+ classic film titles, and 30,000+ music titles, and attends 20+ international film markets and trade shows annually for content acquisition and foreign sales.
The company's business model combines transaction fees on distribution deals, licensing royalties from pay-cable/broadcast/ancillary windows, advertising revenue from its owned FAST channel brands, and ancillary festival submission fees (tiered $20-$50 per film for the ESIFF). Its go-to-market is sales-led (rights acquisition, theatrical co-releases with partners like Niu Vision Media and Zurty Studios, and digital distribution) complemented by an event-driven content sourcing and brand-marketing channel via the Echelon Studios International Film Festival (ESIFF), now in its second year with 500+ submissions. The firm is led by Eric Louzil (President and CEO), Sandro Gohoho (President of Licensing and Operations), and Jesse Randall (Festival Director). Notable 2025-2026 achievements include co-releasing the Chinese wartime drama 'Dead to Rights' (which grossed over $450 million worldwide and was selected by China as its official Oscar submission) and securing exclusive AVOD streaming deals with Fawesome for premium titles.
Echelon Studios firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Echelon Studios
- Legal name
- Echelon Studios, Inc
- Website
- https://echelonstudios.us
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Echelon Studios is a Los Angeles-based independent film production, domestic distribution, and foreign sales licensing company that acquires rights to films and distributes them across theatrical, VOD/FAST, broadcast, cable, PPV, hotel, and airline channels to global audiences.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Echelon Studios industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Film Distribution and Licensing
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Programming, Booking & Repertory Exhibition Services (MPADAKAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management (THAHACAM)
Keywords
Where Echelon Studios is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Echelon Studios business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Film & Content Distribution: Echelon Studios acquires films (feature, documentary, short) and distributes them through theatrical, digital (VOD/FAST), broadcast, cable, PPV, hotel, and airline channels. This is the core revenue driver, supported by relationships with over 300 production companies and representation across all major broadcast networks.
- Theatrical Distribution: Coordinated theatrical releases in select cities across the United States, working with distribution partners for wide releases. High-profile titles like 'Dead to Rights' released in 250+ North American locations.
- International Film Sales & Licensing: Foreign film sales licensing to domestic and international buyers via an experienced sales team attending over 20 international film markets and trade shows annually.
- FAST Channel Revenue: Revenue from the company's A-Z FAST channel brands (A-Z B-Flix, A-Z Classic Flix, A-Z Classic TV, A-Z Western Grit) distributed across ad-supported streaming platforms.
- VOD/PPV Revenue: Digital distribution to over 100 platforms including iTunes, Netflix, Amazon, Tubi, Roku, Plex, Google Play, and Sony PlayStation, generating revenue through TVOD and AVOD models.
- Pay Cable & Broadcast Licensing: Titles placed with HBO, Showtime Networks, Starz/Encore, Lifetime Television, USA Networks, Hallmark Channel, and others, generating recurring licensing fees.
- Hotel & Airline Ancillary: Distribution to hotel programming systems (Spectra-Vision, On Command, LodgeNet, MegiNet, SVI) and airline entertainment, generating ancillary licensing revenue.
- Festival Submission Fees: Entry fees for the Echelon Studios International Film Festival, with tiered pricing by deadline (Early: $20-$45; Regular: $23-$47; Late: $25-$50 per film).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Early Deadline submission for Shorts |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Regular Deadline submission |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Late Deadline submission |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels9 records
Marketing channels7 records
Echelon Studios product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Echelon Studios is an independent film production, domestic distribution, and foreign film sales licensing company. It acquires rights to feature films, documentaries, and shorts, then distributes them across theatrical, VOD, FAST, broadcast, cable, PPV, hotel, and airline channels worldwide. The company also produces its own films and operates the Echelon Studios International Film Festival (ESIFF) as a content sourcing and community platform.
Product overview
Echelon Studios is a film and television production, domestic distribution, and foreign film sales licensing company offering multi-faceted entertainment industry services. The company distributes acquired and produced films through theatrical releases, VOD platforms (iTunes, Netflix, Amazon, Tubi, Roku, Plex, Google Play, Hulu, VUDU), pay-per-view, pay cable, basic cable, free TV, hotel, airline, and ancillary markets. Echelon Studios operates FAST channels (A-Z Channels) and hosts an annual International Film Festival. The company represents over 300 production companies and maintains a catalog of 5,000+ first-run titles, 15,000 classic film titles, and 30,000 music titles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Echelon Studios International Film Festival: Annual film festival celebrating independent cinema with competition categories for US and International features, shorts, documentaries, and series.
Products and services
- Domestic Distribution Domestic film distribution including theatrical releases in select US cities and VOD/pay-per-view distribution through major platforms for independent and acquired films.
- Foreign Film Sales Licensing International sales licensing of films to buyers in foreign markets, attending over 20 domestic and international film markets and trade shows annually.
- Video on Demand Distribution Distribution of content to over 100 VOD/OTT platforms including iTunes, Netflix, Amazon, Tubi, Roku, Plex, Google Play, Hulu, and VUDU under TVOD and AVOD models.
- TV Sales & Distribution Sales and distribution of films and TV shows to major TV stations including free TV, cable, and satellite targeting domestic and international markets.
- Theatrical Distribution US theatrical distribution for independent features in cities such as Los Angeles and New York, often coordinated with theatrical release partners.
- A-Z Channels (FAST TV) Free Ad-supported Streaming TV channel lineup including A-Z B-Flix, A-Z Classic Flix, A-Z Classic TV, and A-Z Western Grit distributed across ad-supported streaming platforms.
- Echelon Studios International Film Festival Annual film festival celebrating independent cinema with competition categories for US and International features, shorts, documentaries, and series; hybrid virtual and in-person screenings in Los Angeles.
- Echelon Studios Podcast Proprietary movie podcast hosted by Festival Director Jesse Randall featuring guests discussing independent filmmaking creation and production.
- Film Acquisitions Program Film acquisition service allowing filmmakers to submit films for distribution consideration through a pre-acquisition questionnaire and delivery items process.
- Film Production Original film production for theatrical release, television, DVD, and VOD online streaming, including productions such as 'The Gods 2' (2023).
Quantifiable outcome
- Dead to Rights grossed over $450 million at the global box office, making it one of the most successful non-English-language releases in recent years.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Echelon Studios
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Echelon Studios technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration32 records
Echelon Studios partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and supporting.
- Terror VisionminorTerror Vision released 'Be a Wicked Woman' (1990) on Blu-ray in summer 2026, representing Echelon Studios' physical media distribution for this title.
- FawesomecoreFree AVOD streaming platform Fawesome (Future Today) signed an exclusive AVOD streaming deal with Echelon Studios for 'Dead to Rights', becoming the exclusive AVOD home for the Oscar contender following its theatrical and TVOD run.
- Niu Vision MediacoreToronto-based theatrical distributor Niu Vision Media partnered with Echelon Studios for the North American theatrical and digital release of 'Dead to Rights' (August 2025) and 'Malice' (July 2025). Niu Vision handled theatrical distribution while Echelon managed digital distribution in the U.S.
- Zurty StudioscoreZurty Studios co-released 'Next Sohee' theatrically in North America alongside Echelon Studios, with release planned for May 2025.
- EventivesupportingEventive serves as the virtual screening platform for the Echelon Studios International Film Festival, hosting both the virtual component (two weeks leading up to in-person screenings) and nationwide streaming of official selections.
- NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA)supportingNFMLA supported the in-person awards ceremony at South Park Center for the 2025 Echelon Studios International Film Festival.
- MometuminorMometu is a streaming partner for the Echelon Studios International Film Festival; winners' trailers are screened on the platform and the trailer receiving the most views wins the Mometu Award category.
- MetrographminorNew York City theater chain Metrograph partnered with Echelon Studios to screen Kim Ki-young's 'An Experience to Die For' (2K restoration) and 'The Housemaid' as a double-bill in May 2024, with VOD availability via Metrograph at Home.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Echelon Studios competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- FilmRise: Independent film and television distributor with a large FAST-channel footprint across Tubi, Pluto, Roku, and Plex. Closely comparable to Echelon in combining indie distribution with branded ad-supported streaming channels serving the same audiences and platforms.
- Cinedigm: Independent film distributor and one of the largest operators of streaming channels, including FAST channels on Tubi, Pluto, and Roku. Highly comparable to Echelon on the FAST-channel-plus-indie-distribution business model.
- Samuel Goldwyn Films: Long-running independent film distributor handling acquisition, theatrical, and digital release of specialty and foreign titles. Comparable to Echelon on theatrical-plus-VOD distribution of curated independent slates.
- Neon: Independent film distribution and production company known for theatrical releases of foreign and prestige titles (e.g., 'Parasite'). Comparable to Echelon on foreign film acquisition and theatrical-first distribution strategy.
- Vertical Entertainment: Independent film distributor handling theatrical, VOD, and home-video release of a broad independent slate. Comparable to Echelon's multi-channel indie distribution across transactional and licensing streams.
- Bleecker Street: Independent film distributor focused on theatrical and digital release of prestige and specialty titles. Comparable to Echelon in serving as a mid-sized indie acquirer/distributor with theatrical release capability.
- Cohen Media Group: Independent distributor of foreign, classic, and art-house films with theatrical, home-video, and digital distribution arms. Comparable to Echelon's foreign film sales licensing and theatrical co-release model.
- Magnolia Pictures: Independent film distribution arm (Landmark Theatres parent) handling theatrical, VOD, and home-video release of independent and foreign films. Directly comparable to Echelon's indie distribution across theatrical and digital channels.
- Kino Lorber: Independent distributor specializing in classic, foreign, and art-house films for theatrical, VOD, and broadcast release. Closely comparable to Echelon's classic/foreign catalog positioning and multi-channel distribution strategy.
Broad incumbents
- Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Screen Media): Public independent content distributor with both a deep VOD/AVOD distribution network and a growing portfolio of owned FAST channels. Comparable to Echelon on the FAST-channel-plus-indie-library model, though at a meaningfully larger scale and with owned-and-operated AVOD infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Echelon Studios social profiles
Digital presenceEchelon Studios financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Echelon Studios leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Echelon Studios funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Echelon Studios M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Echelon Studios
What does Echelon Studios do?
Echelon Studios is an independent film production, domestic distribution, and foreign film sales licensing company. It acquires rights to feature films, documentaries, and shorts, then distributes them across theatrical, VOD, FAST, broadcast, cable, PPV, hotel, and airline channels worldwide. The company also produces its own films and operates the Echelon Studios International Film Festival (ESIFF) as a content sourcing and community platform.
Is Echelon Studios a public or private company?
Echelon Studios is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Echelon Studios founded?
Echelon Studios was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Echelon Studios based?
Echelon Studios is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Echelon Studios make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Film & Content Distribution is the primary driver. The others are theatrical Distribution, international Film Sales & Licensing, FAST Channel Revenue, VOD/PPV Revenue, pay Cable & Broadcast Licensing, hotel & Airline Ancillary and festival Submission Fees.
Who are Echelon Studios's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are FilmRise, Cinedigm, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Neon, Vertical Entertainment, Bleecker Street, Cohen Media Group, Magnolia Pictures and Kino Lorber. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Screen Media) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Echelon Studios have an API?
No public API is recorded for Echelon Studios.
What industry is Echelon Studios in?
Echelon Studios's product category is Film Distribution and Licensing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAKAL, Programming, Booking & Repertory Exhibition Services, with a secondary code of THAHACAM, Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management. Its NAICS code is 512 and its SIC code is 7822.