Filmmaker Arin Crumley, known for co-directing the film “Four Eyed Monsters,” and Kieran Masterton have launched OpenIndie, a website dedicated to helping up-and-coming filmmakers out. The open-source site helps creators figure out where there is demand for their movie, leading to a smarter approach to film distribution.

The site builds on the experience of “Four Eyed Monsters,” where the filmmakers screened the movie based on requests online to watch it. Filmmakers can input fan email lists and zip codes to help collaborate on upcoming film screenings. Users can browse films, note which ones they want to see, and request screenings in their area—or organize their own. They can then share the revenue with the filmmakers. With the current media landscape, being an independent filmmaker is tough, and sites like OpenIndie that foster innovative and democratic dissemination and business models seem to cause much excitement.

The site has already completed a Kickstarter campaign to raise $10,000 to help fund the site; after just one month, they had raised over $12,000 from over 200 supporters. Their next campaign is to raise money to fund OpenLicense, a way for filmmakers to set guidelines on monetizing their screenings and merchandise.

Posted by Adi Kamdar in Announcements |