Australia leading development of new film distribution models

The internet is changing the way film is distributed, with Screen Australia announcing two recipients of its Innovative Distribution funding, to support low-budget content that does not fit the traditional moulds of distribution and exhibition.

Screen Australia’s head of marketing, Kathleen Drumm, said the Innovative Distribution program, which offers up to $450,000 in funding for the 2010/11 and 2011/12 financial years, recognised that new models were allowing access to expanding markets.

“There is a need to support a variety of low-budget screen content that does not fit into a traditional distribution and exhibition paradigm,” Drumm said in a statement.

The two companies chosen, BeamAFilm and Titan View, were selected from 10 applications by a panel.

“The successful proposals involve experienced players who have demonstrated a commitment to building audiences for Australian screen content outside the mainstream,” Drumm said.

BeamAFilm co-founder, Gil Scrine, said the company will provide a new documentary portal for streaming on video on demand (VOD), focussing particularly on the education and library markets.

“The whole idea behind beamAfilm is to make a much wider range of documentaries accessible through monetised streaming – viewed at home, in the classroom, the local library or on the bus going to school,” Scrine said in a statement.

With the grant, Titan View’s low budget feature films will be released on VOD, DVD and via internet and mobile services, in addition to a network of non-theatrical venues.