a (independent) movie distribution company's awesome blog

DVD Marketing Sevices for Indie Filmmakers

2006-05-19T17:58:00.000-04:00

All I have to say is, "Wow!"

The response from filmmakers has been amazing. When Netflix approved us as a select distribution partner, the flood gates have opened with filmmakers signing on to our DVD Marketing Services especially tailored for self-distribution. (Self-distribution is a fancy term when the filmmaker sells his/her film through a personal website or selling to retail/online stores directly.

It's a complete win-win scenario: the indie filmmakers keep control of their home video rights and marketing efforts. In return, we make a small sales commission as we present their films to wholesale accounts nationwide.

In addition, the calibre of films and documentaries submitted to us are truly engaging. There are some amazing titles coming very soon.

Stay tuned for more, indie filmmakers...

Distributing Independent Films on DVD: Marketing Services

2006-02-28T18:36:00.000-05:00

For the past year, we've been quietly pitching filmmakers on our marketing services for distributing independent film on DVD. If the filmmaker already has manufactured DVDs of his/her film, Passion River can get the title listed with traditional video retailers and online outlets. Of course some retailers will pass, but many may list the title in their systems.

Instead of being quiet, we will be loud and conspicuous when the word gets out to the independent film community. Major details and sell points of our marketing services are getting fine tuned in the coming weeks.

Look out for our Marketing Services for Distributing Independent Film/DVDs on our website in the very near future. We're amped and excited to get independent film distributed to mainstream and online video outlets!

Upcoming Short Films DVD

2006-02-14T13:49:00.000-05:00

Finally, I'm getting over this nasty cold. Better yet, we're sending out the sell sheet and marketing materials for a new title: Hardwood / Ryan / Sunrise Over Tiananmen Sq: Unique Award-Winning Short Films.

It's a compilation of 3 "shorts" which were all nominated for the Academy Awards. In fact, "Sunrise" won the big prize: the Oscar. They're all amazing films -- the first short, "Hardwood", is a true gem. Just keep a box of tissues handy, it's a tear-jerker.

With one remaining insert to create for the DVD package, we'll finally be finished. And then comes the difficult part: marketing the title to the video stores and online retailers.

Oh vey!

2006-02-13T15:50:00.000-05:00

So far the week hasn't started out too well - first blogger goes down, then we get 16 inches of snow dumped on us. The sad part is we're in New Jersey, and meanwhile places like Vermont (where Dante, one of the other guys around who's supposed to be blogging here) where snow is supposed to grow on trees doesn't get squat.

Several of our documentary titles are now available on Amazon! Check out Waiting Game, Gotham Fish Tales, Animals, 7th Street, and One World. (and buy it please)

And, for those interested in buying independent and documentary films - check out indiedocs.com, our sort-of-sister company that sells DVD. Award-winning stuff!

That's all for now...

The First Post is the Deepest

2006-02-08T16:14:00.000-05:00

So today we just started our blog. I don't even know what we're putting here in the future, but just the fact that it's up (and linking to our site!) gives me that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

I guess I should give readers if there are any a little heads up on who we are and what we do.

We distribute and release movies. So far mostly documentaries which fall into the category of "the best little documentaries that you've never heard of."

Lately we've been working with the guys at Film Movement. Which reminds me, if you're interested in signing up for an independent film subscription-based DVD service (ie they send you one DVD every month for x months), check out that link.

Here's a little breakdown of some of our titles (or just go to passionriver.com):

Waiting Game - Extreme skiing at its very best. Some crazy powder skiing and shot in Hi-Def too.

Animals: Friend or Food - Jason Young becomes a farmer who raises his own livestock as pets and food. "If I going to continue eating animals, I was going to raise them myself."

Gotham Fish Tales - Documentary about "back room" fishing off the streets of New York City. Pretty ridiculous, right?

We should mention that should you know anyone who has a killer documentary in the making, please direct them to PassionRiver.com and we'll take care of them.

That's all for now...