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Brooklyn, NY, January 3, 2014—Seed&Spark, the world’s first crowdfunding and transactional VOD platform made just for independent film, finished its first year in business with 40 exceptional films in its streaming Cinema, and kicks off the new year with the addition of critical darling EXIT ELENA. The feature film launched on the site January 1, alongside recent releases PINCUS, LEX, and BARBARIC GENIUS. On BARBARIC GENIUS, Seed&Spark partnered with Irish film company Wildcard Distribution. (Film descriptions below.)
Seed&Spark is expanding the scope of their streaming platform by working with international distributors interested in the US marketplace. Seed&Spark’s Director of Content Amanda Trokan explains: “To us, it’s about getting as many people to see great movies as we can, no matter where they live.” Trokan says the company plans to grow its film slate further by partnering with domestic distributors in 2014 as well as accepting more direct-from-filmmaker deals.
“We’re trying to create more options for filmmakers,” says Seed&Spark Founder and CEO Emily Best, “to bridge the gap between filmmakers who want to distribute directly to fans and filmmakers whose work gets picked up by distributors. Seed&Spark provides one platform where both paths can get you to the same shelf in a highly curated environment. We think it’s a benefit to filmmakers, but even more so to viewers. It’s about getting the most exciting indie films to their audiences.”
“I am very pleased to start off the new year of programming with one of my personal favorites, EXIT ELENA,” says Trokan. Other early 2014 releases for the company include PEARBLOSSOM HWY, ECHO BEAR, SHOWING SYDNEY, SPENCER, and new collections custom-curated by the Austin Film Society programmers, filmmaker/curator Niall McKay (Irish Film NY), festival programmer Ania Trzebiatowska (Off Plus Camera), and many more.
Best goes on to explain the company’s unique marketing opportunity for the films and distributors selected to stream on Seed&Spark: the new semi-annual print magazine, Bright Ideas. “This publication is not a trade, it’s meant to engage audiences with the most innovative voices in independent film,” Best says. “It’s exciting to be able to provide much-needed visibility for the films and filmmakers who need championing.” Bright Ideas launches at Sundance this month and will be available at major US film festivals.
Submit a film for consideration: http://www.seedandspark.com/node/add/cinema
For partner inquiries:
About the new films:
EXIT ELENA (Nathan Silver, 72 min). With no place to call home, 19-year-old Elena takes a job as a live-in aide for a very high-strung family. Placing fictional characters alongside real people, Exit Elena is shot with all the rough edges inherent to family life and the home movie form – in short, it’s a dark comedy. An Official Selection of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Woodstock Film Festival, Viennale, BAFICI, Cucalorus Film Festival, IFFBoston, Vancouver International Film Festival, and others. http://www.seedandspark.com/cinema/exit-elena
BARBARIC GENIUS (Paul Duane, 75 min). Paul Duane’s critically acclaimed documentary telling the remarkable true story of John Healy’s rise from homeless wino and thief to chess prodigy and award-winning author. Duane has been recently named one of Variety magazine’s 10 Directors to Watch. A Wildcard Distribution release. http://www.seedandspark.com/cinema/barbaric-genius
PINCUS (David Fenster, 78 min). Pincus Finster is in way over his head: trying to find a way to stall his father’s Parkinson’s, halfheartedly taking up yoga to meet girls, and letting his only friend, Dietmar, an aging German illegal alien, get drunk and sleep in the homes they’re supposed to be remodeling. Writer/director/producer David Fenster was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his work on this film. An Official Selection of the Starz Denver Film Festival, LAFF, Viennale, RiverRun International Film Festival, and others. http://www.seedandspark.com/cinema/pincus
LEX (David White and Paul Wedel, 9 min). A catapult, some cannons, and a grizzly bear. A story about a New Zealand farmer who doesn’t care what the neighbors think. Commissioned by BBC Knowledge. http://www.seedandspark.com/cinema/lex
About Seed&Spark:
Seed&Spark is building a truly independent filmmaking community where filmmakers and audiences come together for crowdfunding, production, and streaming distribution. Every time an audience member supports the making of a moving picture project (funding, following, sharing) they earn “Sparks” which can be redeemed to watch movies on the streaming platform. Supporting films lets you watch more films: It’s the new ecosystem for filmmakers & audiences!
More information: http://www.seedandspark.com/
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