Categories
Truly Free Film

Diary of a Film Start-Up Part 4: Story Arc for Investors or Why I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love Raising Money.

By Roger Jackson

Previously: Diary of a Film Start-Up Part 3: The Producer’s Dilemma

Last Week

Before I write about seeking money and investors, here’s what’s been happening in the past week. We’ve had — as of writing — 18 films submitted for our private beta launch. Films come in every day and we will never tire of clicking on the trailer link and getting a glimpse into a new world. I mean that. We know what it takes to make a feature film or documentary, and the reason we’re building KinoNation is to serve the creators of films like these. Keep them coming, the Private Beta is still open, we’re looking for lots more great films. It’s really fun to watch a group of compelling and disparate trailers, then delve into the IMDb pages for each movie, and in some case have discussions with the filmmakers. A couple of examples this week. Greek director Stathis Athanasiou submitted his stunning fantasy-romance DOS. Our reaction was pretty much “wow!”  Then Roseanne Liang submitted her delightful 2005 documentary Banana in a Nutshell. (which spawned her theatrical release My Wedding and Other Secrets.) Films like this that performed (or are performing) well on the festival circuit, but struggling to find video-on-demand distribution, are exactly what Klaus and I had in mind when we conceived KinoNation.

 

Bootstrapping

OK, so the subject of this post is finding investors.

Categories
Uncategorized

Indie Spirit Award Nominations Due Tomorrow

Now in it’s 28th year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards recognize the achievements of American independent filmmakers and promotes the finest independent films of the year to a wider audience.

Regular deadline is tomorrow: September 18
SUBMIT TODAY

Final Deadline: October 16

For entry forms, rules and regulations, frequenty asked questions and to submit a film, visit SpiritAwards.com

 
Categories
Uncategorized

They Want To Fund Your First Feature (& Take You To Venice, Italy)

Launched this year by the Biennale di Venezia in partnership with Gucci, the Biennale College – Cinema is an initiative to support teams of directors and producer to make their first audio-visual work. A community of selected filmmakers from around the world will work alongside an invited team of international experts and tutors to explore the aesthetics of micro-budget filmmaking and the new integrated models of production, which engage with an audience from the outset.

After a first 10-day workshop in Venice for 15 selected projects in January 2013, up to 3 teams will be invited to a second 15-day workshop between February and March and supported with 150.000 Euros in order to produce and screen the projects at the 2013 Venice International Film Festival. The Call for Applications is open from the 30th of August 2012 to the 22nd of October 2012 only to teams of directors at their first or second feature and producers with variable degrees of expertise who must have produced at least 3 short films distributed and/or presented at Festivals.

For more information go here, or email college-cinema@labiennale.org

Categories
My Films

Todd Solondz’s DARK HORSE Is Also Available On Amazon!!

Yup, yesterday I gave you the good news about iTunes riding in the Solondz rodeo.  Well, that other digital distro entity lassoed us too.  Watch what many find to be Todd’s most accessible film yet tonight:

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Horse/dp/B009BFZVQS/

Categories
Truly Free Film

James Schamus & Christine Vachon Live On YouTube!

My former business partner and a regular collaborator of mine — both good friends — will be speaking live at Independent Film Week in 30 minutes at 4P EST. They know as much as anyone on the past & present of indie film;  maybe they can see the future too.  You can watch it live for free on

Categories
Truly Free Film

How VOD Changes The Whole Film Landscape

It a big question (how VOD is changing the film landscape), but we already see the answers starting to unfold. As the lovers of cinema recognize they can access anything anywhere anytime, and the captains of industry in the culture strands accept their business is one of infinite choice, everyone becomes more desperate for the curators and filters that help connect us with what we will enjoy most.

Categories
My Films

Todd Solondz’s DARK HORSE Is Available On iTunes In America!

I know that my true friends went to see my latest production in the theaters.  Okay maybe a few of them didn’t but had great excuses, like watching their children.  Well, for all that missed it here is the film that the NYTimes, New York Magazine, and the New Yorker all raved about; now on iTunes:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/dark-horse/id546590346

What else could you want to do this weekend?