Filmmaker/journalist Brian Clark writes an insightful piece in the Austin Chronicle today, recounting his experience in John Pierson's advanced producing class at UT and their efforts to rep the award-winning film, Cavite (in select cities now). In the article, Clark remembers the first class screening:

The credits rolled, and Pierson revealed his proposition: If the class was willing, we were to work collectively to find theatrical distribution for the film. Our efforts would focus on distributors visiting for South by Southwest, where the film was slated for its U.S. premiere in the Narrative Competition.

After a spirited debate about the film's chances of distribution, the 24-student class voted to go ahead with the project. The ensuing experience lasted beyond the end of the semester and gave me as close to an answer as I'll get to a complicated question that most film schools don't address: "How the hell do I find distribution for my independent film?"