Vodo is a promising new project that offers a new method of film distribution that combines peer-to-peer (P2P) and donations to increase impact and support filmmakers. The venture has already released a fantastic feature film, Us Now, directly to some of the largest video viewing communities online. This particular release has garnered well over 100,000 downloads in less than a week. Vodo aims to have more feature films up within the week.

Jamie King, director of Steal this FIlm II and mastermind of the operation, realized there was an immense amount of attention that could be pooled together from P2P communities. He’s using websites like The Pirate Bay, Mininova, and TorrentFreak as a platform to introduce, distribute, and popularize awesome film. Vodo also aims to create a real relationship between the film creators and audience, hoping to eventually help support filmmakers financially in their work.

Vodo relies on the premise that for many independent filmmakers, file sharing isn’t a big concern, but reaching a wide audience is. King reasons that by spreading the films, they are gaining a grassroots buzz that rivals current Hollywood blockbusters.

The site also fosters a donation-based business model by including information about how to contribute to the creator in every file, along with a link to do so directly. All donations go straight to content creators, letting them cultivate a loyal audience and respond directly to their fans. Vodo itself is supported through membership by subscribers, who in return receive access to films being considered for distribution as well as those already available. Subscribers also vote on which of these films should be picked up by Vodo, and have direct access to producers and directors.

Posted by annejonas in Announcements |