Chris Lindahl reports on IndieWire that Numerous Distributors Pulled Films from Online Film Festivals in 2020.
He refers to a new report recently released called The New Era of Indie Film Exhibition by Jon Fitzgerald, Brian Newman and Lela Meadow-Conner.
They surveyed 100 filmmakers, film festivals and distributors.
The insights are somewhat predictable:
- 70% of filmmakers expect to share in a percentage of online film festival ticket sales.
- 79% of film festivals had films withdrawn after the decision was made to move online.
- “70% of distributor said that geoblocking and ticket caps were decided on a case by case basis, but 60% of distributors said they preferred ticket caps on virtual screenings. 30% of distributors said that if a film they wanted to acquire was not geoblocked they would let the filmmaker know that would stop them from making an acquisition.”
Specifically, filmmakers want to see:
- “More breakout sessions with filmmakers
- More networking and access to industry players
- More live Q&A sessions with audiences
- More flexibility in viewing times, not just a one time stream
- Better stats and data after the festival
- Social component, more interaction with audiences
- More press and social promotion
- Audience data & email lists
- More help in creating revenue opportunities for filmmakers
- More open dialogue with the filmmakers
- More panel discussions & educational offerings”
My take: this report makes fascinating reading and illustrates the vastly different, and opposing, goals of filmmakers, film festivals and distributors when it comes to the festival circuit. I would say filmmakers and film festivals are united in wanting as much “exposure” as possible whereas distributors would prefer festivals to remain as small and exclusive as possible so they can further “exploit” their acquisitions commercially.