Why That Film Isn’t on FOUND (Yet): The Secrets Behind Acquiring Films

When viewers send us requests for films they’re dying to see on FOUND TV, we get it—we all want that perfect found footage scare ASAP! But here’s the catch: it’s not as simple as grabbing a reel from a dusty shelf and hitting “upload.” There’s a lot more behind the process than it seems! So, why isn’t that film on FOUND (yet)? Let’s break down the secrets behind acquiring films and why sometimes, you’ve got to wait a little longer for those next-level scares.

1. The Licensing Labyrinth

Before we can get a film onto FOUND, we need to license it, and this isn’t an overnight deal. Licensing is a process that can take weeks or even months, depending on a bunch of factors. First, we have to see if the film is available for us to license. Some films are locked up tight, with worldwide or exclusive distribution deals, which means we can’t get it on FOUND (think: SHUDDER Exclusives). Others might be available or are easier to get a hold of but still take some tracking down.

And here’s the kicker: some films require a fee for licensing, which means we’ve got to watch our budget closely. Sure, we love adding new content to our platform, but we’ve got to make sure it’s the right time and that there are enough resources to support it. The more subscribers and ad revenue we get, the more we can afford to bring in those found footage gems you’re asking for. It’s all a balancing act!

2. Planned Months in Advance

We have our content release schedule mapped out months in advance, which means when you send us a film request, we need to see where it fits in with our existing lineup. We typically plan four months ahead, so if you’re wondering why that amazing film isn’t on FOUND yet, it’s not because we don’t love it—it’s because we’ve got to make it fit with everything else we’ve already lined up.

Once we get a film request, it goes on our list, where we do a few things:

1. Check availability: Is the film available for us to license right now?

2. Fit with the platform: Does it match the style and tone of FOUND?

3. Where it fits into our release plan: Timing is everything, and we want each release to feel just right.

3. Hunting Down the Right Contacts

Once a film makes it onto our request list, the hunt begins. Even after we’ve decided it’s a perfect fit, it can still take weeks to track down the right contacts for licensing. And then? We wait. It’s all about communication and negotiating terms, which takes time. While we’re all for speeding things up, it’s not like chasing down shaky-cam ghosts—it’s more like a slow, strategic pursuit through a maze of emails and calls.

The Bottom Line: We Hear You!

We love hearing your suggestions and totally understand the hype behind wanting certain films. The moment you send us a request, it gets added to our list, and we do everything we can to get it on the platform. Just know, between licensing and planning releases, it’s a process that takes time.

So, while you’re waiting for that next found footage masterpiece to hit FOUND, know that we’re working behind the scenes to make it happen—slow-burn step at a time. And trust us, when it finally shows up on your screen, it’ll be worth the wait!