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SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.-June 7, 2011-Fandor, the on-demand provider of exceptional independent films, along with distributors Kino Lorber and Microcinema International, today announced it is pioneering the coordinated theatrical and digital premiere-a first for the industry. With the debut of the coordinated theatrical and digital premiere, Fandor is empowering filmmakers and distributors by providing flexibility and versatility over how, when and where they choose to release films on the digital streaming service. By including the digital platform in film distribution plans from the outset, distributors have a new window of accessibility to reach film lovers and fans that generate critical word-of-mouth campaigns, recommendations and reviews, all of which drive awareness and anticipation for films.
The first film to be released under the coordinated theatrical and digital premiere paradigm will be the June 15 re-release of David Holzman's Diary, which will be accessible only in New York City at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and on Fandor. The film will be available for digital streaming on Fandor from June 15 onward. Fans can view the movie for free on Fandor when they sign up for a free month subscription. Subscriptions are regularly priced at $10.00 a month.
The second film, Sleep Furiously, will showcase a different version of the coordinated theatrical and digital premiere, tentatively scheduled for July 29. Fandor will premiere the film for a short window of 24 hours, coinciding with its theatrical release in New York City. The film will then come off the site and A Sketchbook for the Library Van, the 50-minute documentary featurette from 2005 that served as the genesis for Sleep Furiously will be available in the Fandor catalogue for subscribers who want to learn more about the film.
"We see this as a way to provide broad geographic access to a film we're only showing in one location," said Kino Lorber co-president Richard Lorber. "Fandor understands how to make this happen."
A prescient predecessor of YouTube, reality television and mockumentaries, the 1967 American film David Holzman's Diary, directed by Jim McBride, spoofs the art of documentary-making. The rare gem of a film is considered one of the most influential films in the "life as a work of art" genre, having received accolades from the top film critics and publications, including The New York Times, which called it a "delightful satire."
"This is a great way to build buzz for an independent film," said Joel Bachar, president and founder, Microcinema International. "The coordinated theatrical digital premiere is an excellent way to generate conversation and excitement, which is difficult to do for an independent film. We love the flexibility of the Fandor platform to let us put it up for a short time, in a way that meets our distribution needs."
In 1991 David Holzman's Diary was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." The film also will be preserved digitally in the hand-curated Fandor library and made available to subscribers of the streaming service on a long-term basis.
"The reality is that digital distribution is here and now, not a future event," said Dan Aronson, Fandor co-founder and CEO, "We provide a flexible platform for the industry to find additional revenue sources for their films. We give credit to these distributors for understanding the power of this platform and being the first to step forward and participate. They're not just talking about it; they're doing it."
Industry Support for Coordinated Theatrical and Digital Premiere:
Fandor has many supporters for its pioneering efforts.
"It's heartening to see Fandor figuring out how to give people access to good films using digital channels." - Roger Ebert
"I think cinema is always best appreciated in a social context, be it in the theater or online. With Fandor & Kino Lorber's new coordinated campaign, we can all appreciate the most special of the specialized, regardless of where we are. I once had to move to NYC to see David Holzman's Diary, and now film fans can love it where they live - that's 25 years of progress for you!" - Ted Hope, independent film producer
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