This week I’m seeing a lot of ‘sponsored content’ posts for a new service called ‘Digital Box Office‘. (However, this is not a paid for post.)
“Developed by Hollywood Insiders and launching in early 2017, Digital Box Office is a groundbreaking global film platform that supports and caters to filmmakers as its #1 priority. Built on the latest state of the art infrastructure and incorporating the most sophisticated technology, Digital Box Office offers an unparalleled opportunity for film viewers to watch content in the highest quality viewing experience possible. Not only will your film have the capability to immediately reach millions of consumers globally, your film will also be seen by a community of some of the most important decision-makers in Hollywood. Digital Box Office is where many of today’s Hollywood rainmakers will be scouting their next big film project and talent. Digital Box Office is the first and only service of its kind.”
The platform is free to all; create an account, watch shorts and features, and then rate them out of five popcorn servings to carry on watching more.
Digital Box Office is also a film festival. Happening on May 11 and 12 in Los Angeles, the plan is to make this an annual offering. There is $25,000 in prize money:
“Digital Box Office will support the independent filmmaker community by offering a cash prize of $10,000 to the filmmaker with the top performing film on DBO each year. In addition, the filmmaker with the top performing film in each category and our top performing student filmmaker will each receive a cash prize of $5,000 dollars.”
Filmmakers can submit films for inclusion. DBO wants a non-exclusive 90 day window, after which the film is taken down.
My take: With less than a thousand films on the platform now, there’s an opportunity for indie filmmakers to get exposed here. If DBO gets traction, this could be a great thing. I do think the search tools on the site need some beefing up. Otherwise, it has potential and you might want to consider it in your distribution plans.