In the independent theatrical world post-Covid, we were asking Are we going to exist?
And the answer is, Yes.
We can, says producer Erik Feig, founder and CEO of Picturestart.
‘Longlegs,’ ‘Anora,’ ‘Kneecap,’ ‘Late Night With The Devil,’ ‘The Brutalist,’ ‘A Real Pain’ and ‘Thelma’Getty/Everett
These movies are working on a financial level.
They are working on a cultural level, and thats what theatrical movies are all about.
Its almost old school.
But I think its happening again …
It feels like the floor is just being lifted on all of our films.
Audiences flocked to Sony/Crunchyroll anime, Angel Studios films, Fathom offerings, Indian fare and K-pop concert films.
There are a lot of good case studies right now.
Im thinking distributors will need more films.
I think the demand is going to be high.
Whether the deals are high I dont know, she said of the festival.
My hope is for many films to find homes and healthy deals.
Thats what the ecosystem needs.
Indie film is not fully back.
It is not the same as it was.
It is not apples to apples from pre-Covid.
Fewer movies platform slowly.
The theaters they expand into are different.
Theres no longer a floor to how little money an indie film will make if it fails to connect.
The recovery could fizzle.
That said, heres the good news.
There has been a steadier stream of appealing movies to bring audiences out.
Younger people are flocking to all kinds of films, and older demos are back in force for some.
A generational change was needed as the aging of the arthouse moviegoer was an existential threat before Covid.
Loyalty plans at chains from AMC (Stubs) to Angelika are helping to lure moviegoers.
Letterboxd, the cinephile social media platform, has become a powerful marketing tool.
And filmmakers, distributors and exhibitors are working together to creatively eventize films.
New distributors are entering the market or stepping up.
If the audience is showing up, distributors will meet that demand.
Will Sundance Feel The Love?
So will a newfound optimism ripple into Sundance?
Producers tend to think so even with what some note are fewer marquee directors on the roster.
His company is out pitching other indie projects too.
People seem to be more interested.
He believes the enthusiasm of 2024 will rub off.
Since Covid, theres been uncertainty as far as where and when and who would be distributing your films.
Theres a blueprint they can follow.
So, this festival could [see] more competitive bidding with more films, he said.
Its going to come down to the films themselves.
Does it have something to say?
Does it have an audience?
He finds much to like acrossthe Sundance lineup.
Its such a joyful place to be.
Its such a celebration of creativity … and I think this is just we need right now.
