inDrive’s Post

'Why do we like Room and Parlour films so much in Nigeria?' This is from an audience who feels Nigerian filmmakers always take the easy route when it comes to film production. 'Room and Parlour' is the audience's way of describing a film with limited production budget - think a film shot mostly indoor and with less cast. While I believe we can achieve more ambitious films in the industry, we would require more global partnerships to achieve this. Ambitious projects are naturally not what we're used to here because it requires a lot of resources, permissions and even preparation. But, who says we can't burn down bridges in films? Who says we can't shoot underwater? Who says we can't have a film fully shot on a ship? I shot a lot of exterior scenes with many children in my last project and I can tell the stress involved in ambitious projects. Infact, we almost got beaten up. Will I do it again? Yes! Infact, I'd go higher than that, but this time, with a higher budget and better preparation to ease the stress of production. This also bring us to how the Nigerian populace can support filmmakers and make the work less stressful for us. I am big on ambitious projects. I am very big on doing things that are not the norm and even while writing my stories, I ensure that I don't shrink myself. I go for the most daring stories even if I have no idea how to execute it yet. What I know for sure is that with the right resources and the right team, anything is possible. This is why I think we need to explore more global partnerships. I have seen the big guns in the industry do it. More strategic alliances with counterparts in other industries will allow us leverage skills, technology and talents to pull off even the most unbelievable projects. The Nigerian Film Industry doesn't end at just 'Room and Parlour' films. No, it doesn't. Ambitious stories have been told and there are more ambitious stories that will be told that will stand tall on the global stage.

"Can we keep doing this Independently?" Blauw Films founder Leo has always had a strong opinion on the current state of the film industry's bussiness model. In an industry that has waters filled with sharks out for blood, how can independent filmmakers gear up to protect and develop their IP? From a need to produce original stories, the Blauw Films dream sprouted. A dream in which writing, developing and distributing films independently is a viable option for filmmakers and artists. How can we continue to make films independently? How can we grow doing so? And how can those involved grow as well? #blauwfilms #independentfilm #independentfilmmaker #film #filmmaking #filmproduction #filmindustry https://lnkd.in/eEMy9xVb

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗻𝗮𝗺’𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗺 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆  Film and video makers play a crucial role not only in Vietnam's growing film industry but also in supporting the extensive media landscape. This insight comes from Mr Khoa Nguyen, RMIT Program Manager of the Digital Film & Video program.    The local film market is booming, driven by a young and increasingly discerning audience who crave movies that resonate deeply with their emotions and cultural identity.      Alongside their success domestically, Vietnamese films are gaining recognition internationally, making notable appearances at prestigious film festivals like Cannes and Berlin. This presents opportunities for young and talented Vietnamese filmmakers to get their voices heard and have their stories told to the world.      With the rising demand and viewership come bigger budgets which result in higher production value and a call for better storytelling and performances.      More insight can be found: https://lnkd.in/gXk86NrU    #RMITVietnam #film #FilmIndustry     Image description: Digital cinema camera on set. 

ALTERNATIVA FILM AWARDS 2024 The Alternativa Film Awards is an alternative system for recognizing professionals from developing film industries, and it aims to make them more visible on a global scale. It honors both the artistic merits and potential social impact of cinema, the films that can bring change to the world and society, while appealing to a broad audience. This year’s edition will be hosted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on November 29, while the Alternativa Film Festival, running from November 22-28, will also take place alongside the awards ceremony, featuring public screenings and discussions for the shortlisted films. Last year’s edition was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan. A team of professionals, including festival and cultural center curators, film critics, directors, producers, and cultural journalists from Southeast Asia and other regions review submissions and create the shortlist of nominees, including Darmawan Triwibowo, Executive Director of Kurawal Foundation. This year’s edition received 670 submissions for the awards, twice as many as last year’s, with 25 films selected, including 13 feature-length films and 12 shorts, from 14 Asian countries and across 20 different languages. Female-directed films make up nearly half of the selection and of the feature-length films, nine are debut works. The awards will present a total of $100,000 in prizes, with $20,000 awarded to four winners in each feature-length category, and $10,000 each for the two winners in the shorts category. Source: https://lnkd.in/grA4BFnY and

Film Business on 15th August Release 🇮🇳 Releasing a film on 15th August, India’s Independence Day, is more than just a strategic move—it’s a celebration of patriotism, freedom, and unity. Here’s why this date holds significant importance for the film industry: 1. A Patriotic Audience: Independence Day is a time when the spirit of patriotism is at its peak. Films that resonate with national pride, historical events, or stories of courage and valor often find a deeply engaged and enthusiastic audience on this day. 2. Box Office Potential: With the national holiday ensuring a large turnout, 15th August is one of the most lucrative days for film releases. The combination of patriotic sentiment and a day off work drives higher footfall in theaters, leading to strong box office numbers. 3. Cultural Impact: Films released on 15th August often become part of the larger cultural conversation. They have the potential to influence and inspire, adding to the collective memory of how the nation perceives its history and values. 4. Strategic Positioning: For filmmakers, releasing a movie on this date can be a powerful statement. It positions the film within the context of national pride and independence, making it more relevant and impactful. 5. Building Legacy: Many iconic films that have left a lasting legacy in Indian cinema were released on Independence Day. This date offers an opportunity for new films to join that prestigious list, becoming part of the country’s cinematic history. Releasing a film on 15th August is not just about capitalizing on a holiday—it’s about connecting with the audience on a deeper, more emotional level. It’s a chance to celebrate the spirit of India through the powerful medium of cinema. #FilmBusiness #IndependenceDay #15AugustRelease #IndianCinema #PatriotismInFilm #BoxOfficeStrategy

Brian Newman Column This is a must-read for anyone who makes #films, wants to make them, or has friends who do. —Dana Harris-Bridson, Editor-in-Chief “Theatrical has never been more important, or interesting Many of the better and curated arthouses say that audiences are showing up for strong narratives, and there’s a growing sense that the theatrical window is becoming more important than ever before. If a film can make it past that first week and be doing well, the word of mouth can spread. In addition, younger audiences are coming back to theaters, especially for repertory cinema and special events. There’s a bit of a problem in getting screens — it’s a crowded marketplace in arthouse land (not the case with the megaplexes right now). If you’re not a U.S. filmmaker, this sounds crazy, but it’s still true So, your sales agent might take a deal from a tiny U.S. distributor for a very low minimum guarantee, and guess what — your film won’t perform well here, but you’ll close those other deals and be on to your next film. But if you raise some funds, you could do a service deal with a distributor or booker in the U.S., and keep your rights, get a better release, build your fanbase and audience, and maybe come out ahead. That’s much better than getting no distribution in the U.S. or very poor distribution in the U.S. This is a tough one, I know, but humor me — it even pays for international filmmakers to think about doing this, because it can be better for your film and your career. This works better if you are making a film for a very specific, sizable, underserved audience In all of these cases, the #filmmakers identified a core audience that was not being served by the media; their niche was not small, but quite large, and it was begging for good films. I always tell people: Make a film that’s film festival- and distributor-proof. Meaning: It doesn’t matter whether you get into any film fest, or if no distributor buys your film, because you have such a sizable potential audience that is hungry for your film that you can go directly to them and succeed.” Read the full article: IndieWire I got just a few inserts, but you should read the whole article; it is worth your time. #IndependentFilm #FilmAdvice #FilmIndustry

[Film Production Roles in NZ Explained] In this blog post, we will explore the various film production roles in New Zealand and highlight their importance for aspiring filmmakers. . . . https://lnkd.in/dpS_artc

As this latest FilmInk Magazine report states, the world premiere of Anno 2020, a feature film directed by James Morcan and produced by Australian production company MoneyShot Productions, will take place in Sydney on March 24. [SINCE CHANGED TO APRIL 7). The premiere, which will mark the official cinematic launch of Anno 2020, will be attended by film industry representatives and friends of the production as well as cast and crew members. It follows the movie’s recent success in film festivals – most notably the Titan International Film Festival’s ‘Best Experimental Film’ award, in Sydney last month, and Quarter-Finalist status in the Best Film category at the International British Film Festival 2023 in London. Anno 2020, a mystery-drama set in the cataclysmic year that was 2020, also received an official selection for the Symbiotic Film Festival in Ukraine. For MoneyShot Productions’ producers, twin brothers Gil and Oren Ben-Moshe (pictured), the Titan International Film Festival award in particular was welcome recognition of the challenges they and their fellow producers, cast and crew overcame in getting the movie locked off and greenlit. “Completion of Anno 2020, which was shot around the world at the height of the strict Covid-19 lockdowns, was truly a triumph in the face of adversity,” said Gil Ben-Moshe who is also an actor and who plays a starring role in the film. Beyond the movie’s official launch, interstate cinematic screenings Australia-wide are planned, followed by screenings in New Zealand and possibly the US as well. The longer-term target includes online distribution on major streaming platforms. #Newsflash >>> The film’s producers welcome enquiries from any industry and media representatives or well-wishers who would like to attend the world premiere of Anno 2020 in Sydney on March 24. Details of, and tickets for, this red-carpet event, which will include the first cinematic screening of the film, are available from StickyTickets at https://lnkd.in/gdEnVbeW #News #filmmaking #indiefilm #movies #producers #directors #filmdistributors #filmfinanciers #investors

Recently I had an interview with International Film Market. They asked some brilliant questions, not just about the filmmaking process for my short film Say My Name, but also personal questions and how film festivals can improve especially for indie filmmakers. Probably the hardest question to answer was describing myself: “My life’s purpose has been to inspire and empower adults who have gone through trauma. However, this drive sometimes overshadows my self-care. My virtues lie in being an empath, visualizing the big picture but also delving into the details. This allows me to perceive the world in all its layers and dimensions – though it can be as draining as it is rewarding. Storytelling is my conduit for change, and I’m constantly engaged in projects that align with this calling. My flaw is a tendency toward boredom; I thrive on innovation and must set aside projects that no longer offer room for creative growth.” I am sure many creatives like me can relate! Here is the full interview, worth the read: https://lnkd.in/ggJj-Nve #filminterview #filmmaking #filmindustry #storytelling

AGAINST THE WALL GOES LIVE!!! Although the film has been out to the public for a month now with over a thousand views, I just heard today from our Distributor, Crown Entertainment that Deep C Digital took the reins and is broadcasting AGAINST THE WALL on their channel. For those who wish to watch the 39-minute film, can do so at... https://lnkd.in/gnsaupw7 What a crazy journey the road to get this film produced took... Back about a dozen years ago, Kim R. Holland was in China giving a talk, in Chinese, to a group of filmmakers, and the question was asked, "What kind of a film could both of our countries get involved in?" to which Kim replied, "Oh, I have a story for you..." and thus began the long climb ahead. Understandably, China has always been reluctant to come up with the $30 million or so it would take to turn this story into a feature film (they are willing to come in with half the budget if we can find a studio that would come in with the other part), so they offered Kim some money to at least do a documentary, as one of her filmmaker friends said, "Before most of the people in Kevin's life that know, and were a part of his story, die." I can still remember that day when Kim contacted me from China saying we received some seed funding to get the project going. She was so thrilled that we were finally going to begin until I squashed it by saying, "I'm not interested in doing a documentary about my life. It's a lot of work for no money. Give the funds back." My negativity wasn't going to deter her, as she pointed out, "Look, Kevin, this is a good stepping stone for the feature film and I'm not going to return the money. We're making this film." It would take the next several years to piece the funding together to get this project done with a lot of fighting and negotiating along the way, but by some miracle the film got made and was ready to make its entrance to the world in January 2019. During the next year, AGAINST THE WALL would be seen at 20 festivals around the world, winning 14 awards and qualifying for the 2020 Academy Awards. Traveling with the film, Kim and I were able to meet and talk with audience members and what they saw; what they got out of the film, that made us realize that perhaps there was something to my life story after all. And now we come full circle with this Documentary Short as we continue to move forward with the Feature Narrative film. Yes, it's been a long journey, but it was well worth the effort made by all of us involved. My buddy, Kyle Saylors, got his wish (after I had to fight for him with some of the investors, because I knew he would be the best choice to direct, as I was literally placing my cinematic life into his trusting and very capable hands) to bring my story to the forefront and he did a spectacular job doing it. Now it's here for you to enjoy. I hope we've all done our jobs to the best of our abilities...