Seed&Spark, a crowdfunding platform made just for independent film, extends its foray into digital distribution, making films available to millions of iTunes customers around the world. Seed&Spark has selected a handful of films to pilot a new distribution program with iTunes. Going forward, films that have successfully secured funding on Seed&Spark and have hit audience-building milestones will get access to this distribution deal. It is the first of several access points Seed&Spark plans to open in the coming months.
Founder and CEO of Seed&Spark, Emily Best announced,”The idea all along has been to get filmmakers thinking about distribution during development – that way they’re better positioned to deliver their film to wide audiences and make their money back. We want the audience-building milestones to keep filmmakers focused on building audiences even after their campaigns have ended – during production, post and festivals – so they’re really poised to succeed in distribution.”
Seed&Spark’s Director of Content, Eve Cohen, wants filmmakers to be able to reach the widest possible audience. “It’s exciting – we’re helping filmmakers reach millions more viewers than the Seed&Spark Cinema was able to do alone. Offering affordable access to platforms such as iTunes is just another way we can spread independent film to the masses.”
Last year, Seed&Spark participated in a joint program with American Express. For six months, the credit card company selected films from the Seed&Spark streaming library for distribution on Amex NOW, the brand’s always-on, interactive TV channel and connected TV application.
Best also noted, “The excitement generated by the distribution partnership with American Express sparked the idea to pursue more outlets for Seed&Spark’s films. Our goal is to maximize filmmakers’ success, and extend the visibility of their projects to a global, engaged audience and into as many homes and onto as many devices as possible. Availability on the iTunes platform is a significant step forward!”
“After building the community for our film Farah Goes Bang through crowdfunding, our premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, and our 18-festival run following that, we’re now thrilled to partner with Seed&Spark in its dynamic, targeted, and very current approach to digital distribution,” explained Meera Menon, the Nora Ephron Prize winning director of Farah Goes Bang. “Seed&Spark is one of the most innovative and exciting hubs for independent film today, and we can’t wait to join their community with our own.”
