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INDIE FILMMAKER RESOURCES

• The Independent Magazine - "The Independent is Back! The 30-year-old magazine devoted to independent media makers made its online debut October 1st, 2007. As you may have heard, Independent Media Publications has come forward to take over the online and print publication of The Independent, formerly published by AIVF, the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers. The magazine has been a vital publication to the community of independent media-makers from its first publication in 1978 through July 2006. We believe there would have been a gap left with its absence. So with time generously donated by board members, staff, writers, and interns and only $2,500 in cash, we launched this website featuring hundreds of past Independent articles, a comprehensive 'learn' section for new and working filmmakers, classified advertisements, personal online accounts, and more. In addition, we will have relaunched the monthly magazine online -- so expect regular blogs, monthly interviews and features, as well as vlogs, books and more coming soon."
• Bullet Film - "Share your films. You don’t know what to do with your short films and you don’t know how to get loads of people to watch your movies. Now you don’t have to worry any more because bulletfilm.com was created especially for people like you who are industry professionals and would like to expose and promote their work over the quickest and fastest growing medium the Internet."
• CustomFlix - A service for filmmakers interested in self-distribution of their films on DVD through Amazon.com. The CustomFlix DVD on Demand service produces DVDs as customers order them and allows you to sell DVDs without ever paying for inventory. They are waiving their set up fees for the next one thousand independent films and CDs published through Disc on Demand (4/07).
• IndieProducer - Moviemakers from all over the country benefit from the free exchange of information with this online film community that also hosts networking parties as well as screenwriting and short film contests each year.
• Truly Indie Film Distribution - "Direct access to distribution services for innovative films and filmmakers." An alternative to traditional distribution for indie films. Sounds great, and they seem to be getting high marks from filmmakers, but they don't answer the big question on their FAQ: Who ends up footing the bill for all of this fabulous distribution?
• [Blanks] on a [Blank] - "To us, the success of SNAKES ON A PLANE is a foregone conclusion [Oh, yeah? I guess that didn't really pan out]. And when any film is a success, sequels are inevitable. But how do you follow up the brilliance of S.O.A.P.? Do you put snakes somewhere else? Do you put a different animal on a plane? The options, of course, are endless, and as we were sitting around a table at a pub talking about all the different possible cinematic combinations, we realized that we really, really, really we wanted to see all those movies become a reality. And so we set up the Blanks On A Blank film-making challenge, giving the whole world the chance to show us the future of animal/vehicle disaster films."
• The Short Film Network - "The Short Film Network (SFN) is a cooperative organization that is dedicated to provide exposure and praise for short films and their filmmakers while providing highly creative and original content to astute audiences. The programs of SFN include EXPOSURE: Short Stories on Film compilations on DVD, the Short Film Academy, and the Annual Short Film Awards."
• VisualNet - The International FILM, TV and AD Production Directory. Nice, uncluttered site.
• Toxic Shock Indie-Classifieds - A site devoted to horror films and the like. Check out their new Indie film listings: Services, Announcements, Crew & Casting Calls, Help Wanted, Equipment for Sale & Equipment for Rent. Some creepy skulls with fangs, too!
• Reverse Shot - "The New Magazine of Film Culture." Interviews, symposiums, reviews. An eminently browseable site. Plus, they provide reviews for indieWIRE. I rather like their blog. And I especially enjoyed their recent blistering skewering of Reese Witherspoon. Someone has to say such stuff.
• indieIN - indieIN offers free film listings to independent filmmakers with shorts and feature films playing in festivals, as well as to filmmakers who are self-distributing. Launched earlier this year, indieIN provides show times and information for independent and foreign films playing both theatrically and in film festivals in the United States, Canada, and the UK. By using indieIN Film Listings, festival filmmakers can create a "personalized" page for their films, including show times, synopsis, cast/crew, and photos. [Brian Brooks, indieWIRE] "Because there is more out there."
• INDIETRAILER.COM "We work with Independent Film producers to promote their films. Our services include: Trailers, Graphic Design, Promo Reels, Key Art, EPK's, Posters, TV Spots, Fliers, Publicity Packages, Wild Postings, Web Site Design, Direct Mail and Email Marketing. We've created Award Winning trailers for such films as: 9 ½ Weeks, Terminator 2, Unforgiven, Total Recall and 2004 Festival Favorite - Easy." CONTACT: Chris Arnold 6855 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90038. Phone: 323-337-0393   Cell: 323-697-1747
  e-mail: chris*at*indietrailer.com

• TribeHollywood.com "TribeHollywod.com is an exclusive entertainment industry networking website... TribeHollywood.com has thousands of NYU Grads and/or industry members - creatives, executives, investors, talent, techs, business people. Every member can network with everyone else, create a presence and showcase their info, photos, projects, etc." It's invitation only to join, but a good percentage of the member profiles are accessible to the public.

• Quickflicks "Quickflicks Accepting New Members for 2006. One month. One film. Every Month. No Excuses. Are you ready to put your filmmaking skills into fast forward? Quickflicks is now accepting applications for new members in 2005. We meet once a month to screen and critique our latest work. For more info on how we work, see www.quickflicks.org. If you want to apply to join, send an email to newmembers (at) quickflicks.org, listing: 1) Your name; 2) What brand and model camera you shoot on; 3) What editing system you use; 4) What kind of filmmaking experience you have; and 5) Why you want to join Quickflicks."

• The Indie Gathering - The 2006 event was held on August 4^th, 5^th and 6^th at the Independence Holiday Inn. "Participants are some of the top people in the film industry. The Indie Gathering will include an independent film festival and convention. Other events will include a celebrity banquet (inductions to the "Star Hall of Fame"), free lectures, and seminars, acting competition, stunt competition, celebrity party, script competition and much more! No other event will have the networking possibilities that this gathering will provide. Awards will include trophies to 6 feet tall! Distributors, investors and film publications will be present."

• New York City Film Resources - An online resource for independent filmmakers: "The ultimate contact directory and buyer's guide for NYC film and media professionals." Divides companies and contacts into 17 different categories, including "Distribution," "New York Film Blogs," "Screenwriting" and "Talent and Casting." They have made it really easy to add a link to your site.

• Shooting People - Another online resource for independent filmmakers. A huge success in the UK, it was launched in New York in September 2003. The site features an online profile for members, a daily e-mail newsletter and an extensive database of members, fully searchable by names, profession, e-mail address and categories such as "Films I wish I had made."

• Stellar Network - Yet another online resource for independent filmmakers, also with branches in New York and the UK. This one has the advantage of a website designed by Lovisa. $65 annual fee to be a member.

• The Tiny Picture Club - A Portland, Oregon collective of Super 8 filmmakers. They share equipment, develop their own film (check out the "Recipes" section of their website) and even compose and perform live musical accompaniments for their quarterly screening series. Great logo, too -- reminiscent of the Shelter Records logo before DC Comics demanded an adjustment.

• Ten Second Films - Create and upload your own ten second film. Submitted films will be judged and the winners chosen on March 10, 2003. First prize is $1,000. Brought to you by Candide Media, a web design and production company.

• The 48 Hour Film Project - Just what it sounds like: after contestants draw a film genre out of a hat, they have 48 hours to write, shoot and edit their short films. Winners' films have gone on to play at prestigious film festivals. Some similar contests: The Challenge; The 24 Hour Video Race; MadeInAWeekend; The Vancouver ReelFast 48 Hour Film Festival; 24-Hour Film Contest. And for those of you that feel this is all just too fast-paced and modern, there's the 72 Hour Film Contest.

• CustomFlix - DVD authoring & on-demand duplication; self-distribution with an e-store, streaming trailer and online promotion ($49.95 set-up fee).

• The Film Festival Channel - Films chosen to air on the cable channel will be broadcast in the Summer of 2004. Viewers will be able to cast votes for their favorites on the internet or by telephone. Many categories accepted, but sorry, no porn.

• Mandy.com - International film and TV production resources.

• CustomFlix - "CustomFlix has created a complete system to help you independently distribute your films worldwide. There's no inventory. No minimums. No exclusivity. And no hassles!" DVD authoring and self-distribution support.

• FilmBuzz - "Do you know what audiences are saying about your film? FilmBuzz does." They conduct audience surveys at film festivals.

• IndieClub.com - A website for indie filmmakers. Contains links to 800+ filmmaker sites. "The #1 filmmakers networking site on the net!"

• IndieFilm - "The place for independent filmmakers on the internet."

• ReelUniverse - A website devoted to helping indie films find distribution. In some cases you can buy films directly from the filmmaker. Includes synopses, reviews, streaming video trailers and lots of links, too.

• Film Festivals - An indispensable database of most film festivals with website links. Thanks, Mark!

• Filmfestivals.com - Another Film Festival Database.

• Tape List - A new service that will submit trailers of indie films to distributors and/or agents for their consideration.

• Film Finders - A place to list your film for free. Distributors pay to peruse the listings.

• D. Film - A haven for independent films.