Met Film has launched Met Film Distribution, which will work with independent film-makers who want to self-distribute their films.

The first proejct for the new distribution outfit will be Heavy Load, also a Met Film production, a documentary about a punk band with disabilities.

The co-production with the BBC, IFC and ITVS, which won the audience award at Britdoc, is directed by Jerry Rothwell and produced by Met Film's Al Morrow and Jonny Persey.

Luke Montagu, CEO of Met Film, said: 'We firmly believe that there are commercial opportunities for producers to distribute films themselves using Internet marketing and distribution but we know that most producers do not have these skills and have set up Met Film Distribution to help. I would encourage producers raising finance for niche films to include self-distribution costs in the budget so that they can guarantee a release.'

Met Film Distribution's services include managing a limited digital theatrical releases, public relations, creating deliverables and running online marketing campaigns. Most of the revenue for releases is expected to come from direct sales of DVDs and downloads from a dedicated website. The film will launch theatrically at the ICA as of Oct 1.

Met Film's Jonny Persey, Producer of Heavy Load, added: 'I am delighted that Met Film has decided to self-distribute Heavy Load. Feature documentaries are a very specific kind of film and as such need a very specific kind of marketing to maximise their potential. It's fantastic that we are developing this expertise in-house.'

Met Film has stressed its vertical integration with recent initiatives, including the creation of a production arm.

All of Met Film's activities -- education, production, post-production and distribution - are based in a newly built building at Ealing Studios.