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Interview with the Coordinator of the Indie Fest, Thomas Baker, Ph.D.
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Why the focus on helping filmmakers find a distributor?
“Because our focus is on maximizing ‘customer service’, we talk with scores and
scores of producers each year. Over and over we’ve been told by filmmakers that
they’ve submitted entries and traveled the film festival circuit and have little
to show for their investment of time and money. What they most want is to have
their production discovered by a distributor.
“A film festival programmer I heard speaking at a film market said that over
half the films shown at Sundance films never find distribution. It’s clear to me
that participating in film festivals is a very passive approach to finding
distribution.
“The big producers and big studios arrange distribution before beginning a film
or television project. They own distribution affiliates or have deep connections
in the ‘old boy’s club’. The independent producers served by the Indie Fest are
generally outside that network. We began to realize that we needed to court and
build relationships with distributors so we could make introductions for our
top-winning producers.
What success have you had introducing filmmakers and television producers to
distributors?
“It’s taken a lot of time to build distributor relationships as each distributor
seems to be looking for different types of productions. I’m pleased to report
that we’ve facilitated distribution agreements for several films, documentaries
and television series. It’s a very big deal for the producers we’ve helped.
How exactly do you work, and do you have both domestic and international
connections?
“Over the years we’ve focused on identifying and developing relationships with
those distributors who are willing to represent independents. While talking with
Indie Fest winning filmmakers we sometimes suggest the names of specific
distributors who we know and who may be interested. Other times we provide a
general list of our distributor contacts. On occasion we promote specific Indie
Fest winning feature films and feature documentaries in face-to-face meetings
with the distributors at the film and television markets. We do charge an extra
fee for that service as that is very time consuming and attending the markets is
very expensive. ... And yes, we have both domestic and international
relationships.
What kinds of films and television productions have commercial potential?
“Buyers were seeking fully developed television series with multiple episodes
already in the can, and completed feature films and feature documentaries. The
first question buyers always ask is whether a production has star-power. They
are reluctant to become involved without stars attached as it will be more
difficult to sell or broadcast. Most of the productions we receive at the Indie
Fest don’t have a lot of star power so it takes more work to find a distributor.
“The second question they ask is whether the production has international
appeal. The world demand for television and film is big and growing, while the
US domestic market is comparatively small. Obviously they want high technical
quality, shot in HD, widescreen, and with separate music and voice tracks.
“Reality, pop, urban, action, contemporary content sells; drama is difficult to
sell even if high quality. Buyers and distributors always want something new and
unusual. For the buyers and distributors, it’s all about money, not art. Yet,
buyers and distributors do prefer television programs, films and documentaries
with strong character development and interesting storytelling.
What’s the background of the Indie Fest?
“The Indie Fest is a new awards competition that began in 2008. We expect it to
grown into an important venue for filmmakers and gain an international
reputation equal to our sister competition, The Accolade. Our goal is to provide
maximum assistance to filmmakers.
A personal question if I may; I notice you have Ph.D. behind your name. Is that
in film studies?
“Life takes many twists and turns. I have an earned Ph.D. from the School of
Business and Public Administration, University of Missouri – Columbia. My visual
media experience is from the school of hard knocks. It’s all hands-on. On the
other hand, I’ve learned that it takes a lot of business savvy to make a film
competition thrive. And that’s what the Indie and Accolade are doing.
“I’ve been with the Accolade Competition since the beginning eight years ago.
And, now the Indie Fest is in its second year. I became involved as the result
of winning a couple of awards as the hands-on producer of training films and
television programs. It was helpful to have my work reviewed by outside experts
so I could gain a sense of how my work compared to the work of other
professionals. I found winning an award gave credibility to my work and
encouraged me to excel as I planned my next project.
“The twists and turns took me to the Indie Fest. And now, I’m one of those lucky
guys who believes in what he’s doing, and loves his work!
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 Indie Fests Helps Italian Filmmaker Place Feature Film with a Distributor
by Yayoi Lena Winfrey
The winner of an Award of Excellence in the 2009 IndieFest, Stefano Milla
remains humble in spite of conquering this prize. And, while his film, Claang,
is an ambitious retelling of a legendary battle that features grand-scale
fighting scenes, Milla himself is unassuming and modest.
Below, the Italian moviemaker discusses his triumphs and tragedies all the while
maintaining a self-effacing sense of humor.
READ MORE >>>
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 Indie Fest Places Documentary
with Distributor
By Yayoi Lena Winfrey
When most Americans think about the sport of surfing, they envision California
kids in colorful swimwear gliding atop the rolling ocean while listening to
sixties musical group The Beach Boys. But surfing originated with native
Hawaiians and other indigenous Polynesians before hitting the shores of America.
Today, the culture of surfing can be found just about anywhere there are waves,
including in Cuba.
READ MORE >>>
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 Indie Fest/Accolade Competition
Helps
All For Liberty Find A Distributor
A moving portrait of Revolutionary War heroes
by Alex A. Kecskes
All for Liberty, an Accolade Competition winning independent film feature
has entered into a distribution agreement with John Mclean Media which will rep
the film in worldwide broadcast, cable, VOD, DVD rental and educational markets...
READ MORE >>>
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 Indie Fest places feature film The
Uninvited with Distributor
An Interview with director and producer Jonathan Pokay
by Alex A. Kecskes
Shot on location in Illinois, by Two-Punk Productions, The Uninvited
skillfully braids horror with just the right sprinkling of comedic relief.
The Uninvited draws you into the everyday lives of a young couple who come
to realize that something is terribly wrong with a house noted for its high
turnover.
READ MORE >>>
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