We are incredibly thrilled for all the excitement and debate the Manifesto and interview have generated. As we move into the next phase, we’d like to update all of you Fandependent Film Fans.
Fandependent Films is bigger than the Manifesto. The Manifesto (which you can read here) was created to stir up our imagination and to lay out a few of the possible options out there that could be available to us if we join forces. The attention swirling around the Manifesto has ignited a discussion within the independent film community and has allowed many to think more critically about what we need and what the best way would be for us to make a living as filmmakers.
Many think $0.25 a view isn’t enough. Wonderful! There isn’t even a platform out there that gives filmmakers $0.25 a view! We are delighted that the manifesto was a springboard for all of us to begin a conversation about what watching a film is really worth. Some people love the posse idea while others hate it. Wonderful! What do you like best about it? Have any better ideas?
The wheels are turning now as many of us think about what the best options are to build a sustainable future.
The core of Fandependent Films, we believe, is the solution many of us are seeking. Fandependent Films is bigger than all of us, it’s about filmmakers and film fans from all over the globe creating an entirely new film community. It’s one where we can collaborate and create a future that will help us sustain. We have the core, and now it’s time for phase two.
THE CORE
The core of Fandependent Films is this: Find, be found, support, sustain.
For fans it is a place to find and support the filmmakers they appreciate. For filmmakers, it’s a place to be found, support (other filmmakers) and sustain. It’s a site where filmmakers join forces and put their content on one platform, which allows film fans to easily find and support independent films and filmmakers.
When a film fan chooses to give directly to the filmmaker, they are participating in Fandependent Culture. And with Fandependent Films, we’d like the fan to be able to give as much as they’d like over the minimum contribution. Fandependent Culture is one where fans are in control of funding the voices they want to hear; a culture where filmmakers can continue to create with the support of their fans. Fans give to filmmakers and in return, filmmakers are able to give back to their fans.
That is the core of Fandependent Films.
A NEW OPTION
Fandependent Films doesn’t need to take-down Film Festivals, Netflix, Hulu or even people who market for independent film. These institutions have worked for years, and for some filmmakers these institutions still work today. But for many of us, we know from experience that no festival, distribution deal or person to market our film will help us sustain as filmmakers.
What we are doing is providing a new option for filmmakers who can’t afford agents, marketing firms, and publicity agents. Fandependent Films is a new option for filmmakers who don’t get selected into the elite film festivals, an option for filmmakers who have used many of these institutions and still are unable to sustain - an option for most of the filmmakers around the world. Studio films have things set up to work for them. “Independent” films have things set up that work for them. Now a new name and type of film is born called Fandependent Films, and now it’s our turn to create a new path that will work best for us and our fans.
CRITICS
The manifesto was just that – a manifesto. So yes, it did what most manifestos do - challenged the system in place, the people who work for them and the people who want to be in them. We’re glad it got everyone’s attention. But our real focus from day one has been helping independent filmmakers sustain and creating a direct link between truly independent filmmakers and fans. We are creating a new path to success, rather than continually trying to march down same old road. People can say “it will never work.” As filmmakers, we hear that comment time and time again and we all know that if you try hard enough, anything is possible.
PHASE 2: THE PIONEERS OF FANDEPENDENT FILMS
If you believe in Fandependent Films and want to join the community, we are looking for filmmakers and film fans interested in discussing how to best build around the core and create a solid platform that will ensure our ability to sustain. If you are interested in contributing ideas and becoming a Pioneer of Fandependent Films please e-mail me at ben@fandependentfilms.com Then we can begin a dialogue where we are encouraged to express our wildest and boldest ideas and have them critiqued by those who have the best intentions in mind. A discussion where people fight for and challenge each others opinions under a roof of respect. A discussion where together, we can build a future which will set us all free.
