Distributor Q&As

Linda Olszewski tells The Independent that Shorts International is looking for "celebrity films, comedies, CGI-animated films that are family friendly..." and a whole lot more. Find out how this short film distributor reaches more than than 50 countries in theaters, on TV, and the Internet.

Indie filmmakers and DIY distributors are vying for a shot at Netflix distribution. Though Netflix added 300 streaming independent films to their service one year ago, the submission and selection process for indie films is still evolving.

More and more filmmakers use digital release platforms like iTunes, Netflix Streaming, and Video-on-Demand. Chris Horton, head of acquisitions for FilmBuff, explains the role his company can play in digital distribution.

Located in Seattle, the Northwest Film Forum (NWFF) is an invaluable resource for independent filmmakers in the Pacific Northwest, providing production grants and access to equipment and post-production facilities. The Independent spoke with film programmer Adam Sekuler to get the scoop on how NWFF puts together its exhibition calendar and their support programs for regional filmmakers, as well as some thoughts on the future of independent film distribution.

In June 1999, The Independent asked Seventh Art Releasing where the company would be in ten years (read the original interview here). They answered, “Still open for business doing films we like.” And Seventh Art has done just that. And though there have been some changes, Epstein insists that despite the technological and economic turmoil of the past ten years, the company’s original vision has stayed the same. Exactly a decade after the last interview, The Independent’s Emily Cataneo sits down with co-founder Udy Epstein to find out what those changes are.

Five years ago Vanessa Domico saw a gap in the distribution of LGBT titles and decided it was time to pull up her sleeves. Using her expertise as a director of distribution, she founded Outcast Films, now one of the foremost LGBT distributors in the country, with critically acclaimed releases like their most recent film She's a Boy I Knew (view the trailer here). Outcast is more than a distributor -- under Domico's leadership it also focuses on education and activism on behalf of the LGBT community.

Dogwoof Pictures, a London-based distribution company, is experimenting with modes of distribution with Dogwoof Indie, which allows filmmakers to keep the rights to their film. Dogwoof is currently celebrating their most recent Dogwoof Indie release from filmmaker Franny Armstrong, The Age of Stupid (view the trailer here), starring Pete Postlethewaite as a man in 2055 who looks back on old footage of 2008 and wonders why we didn't stop global warming when we still had the chance. The Independent's Nikki Chase picks the brain of Dogwood release coordinator, Oli Harbottle, to get the scoop on this thriving distribution company.

Ryan Krivoshey, the Cinema Guild's director of distribution, talks with The Independent about the evolution of independent film distribution, how the perception of the documentary has evolved since 9-11 and how Internet distribution has had an impact on the way films are seen.