Distribution

Hello Stage 32! As you have likely heard by now, Stage 32 is screening the films affected by the recent SXSW cancellation (more info here, here, & here). The response has been magnificent, and we here at Stage 32 are in awe of the boundless support the entire world has for independent film. When we first made the announcement on Monday, Variety, Screen Daily, IMDb, and Broadway World were quick to share our message. Since then, we have had over 50 publications, blogs, and fellow entertainmen...

Hello and Happy Wednesday Stage 32! WOW. What an endlessly epic few days it has been here at Stage 32. For those of you who may not have heard the news, Stage 32 is screening films affected by the SXSW cancellation (kindly find all the info here). Since the announcement on Monday, support has been constant and ever-growing. So far, we have had over 25 pieces of media coverage published from outlets like Variety, CNN, and more.  I know I speak for everyone at Stage 32 when I offer a resoundin...

Hey guys. It’s been a wild 96 hours or so around these parts. Since conceiving the idea of assisting the filmmakers impacted by the cancellation of SXSW by screening their films here on Stage 32, we’ve been working non-stop. (If you missed yesterday’s announcement, click here.) It’s been an adrenaline-fueled period of logistical planning, development, programming, graphic design, PR writing, working with the press, interviews, and about 100 other things I’m likely forgetting. We’ve been fueled...

Hello Creative Army! We really need your help in spreading the word! As you have likely heard by now, the 2020 SXSW festival was canceled due to concerns about the health and safety of attendees and the Coronavirus. As filmmakers, producers, screenwriters, and actors ourselves, all of us at Stage 32 are devastated for everyone impacted by the cancellation of SXSW.  Over the last few days, we have heard from hundreds of Stage 32 members who played a part in the films impacted by the cancell...

Happy Wednesday Filmmakers! This week, we are thrilled to present the debut vlog from long-time Stage 32 member, blog contributor, webinar teacher, and international film & distribution aficionado, David Zannoni! Over the course of this year, David will be bringing Stage 32 exclusive insights, tips, and tricks from his adventures in the business of film across the globe.  Today, David is reporting from the European Film Market & Berlin Film Festival in Berlin, Germany. Click below to learn t...

Foreign Language films are often a hit or miss when it comes to box office performance but 2019 was the year of the Parasite. The Cannes Palme D’ Or winner Korean film by Bong Joon Ho who is by now deemed as much of a film making genius as Kurosawa once was, made 31 Million US dollars in US territory alone and 161 Million dollars worldwide. Historically speaking, the foreign language films that crossed all borders with most success, were those that had relatable character journeys and powerfu...

With each passing year, original streaming content becomes more and more popular. As filmmakers, we are all secretly (or not so secretly) vying for a coveted slot on the golden geese of streaming: Netflix and Amazon. So, how do you pitch your project to Netflix or Amazon? Stage 32 founder and CEO, Richard Botto, answers this question thoroughly and frankly in his free webinar, "Ask Me Anything".  The head of Netflix television programming reportedly hears roughly 60 pitches a week. Before yo...

The movie industry is not just about creating what pleases you. It’s about creating entertainment that will delight an audience. The major studios put a lot of money into big movies seeking to serve a huge international audience. Independent filmmakers often target much smaller audience groups, but they have a target. Before you put one word on paper you need to consider who your potential audience is and how you can expand that audience. If you spend $5 million making a movie for a $10 milli...

Rob Margolies, the director of my last film ‘Yes’, likes to tease me by saying that I “hibernate” on my days off. He isn’t wrong. There are so few days off in my life right now that I guess you can call what I do “hibernation.” We started our festival journey in Los Angeles. We premiered the film ‘Yes’ (which I wrote, starred in, and co-produced) for the very first time on June 22nd, 2019 at the world-famous Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. On the 23rd, I was on a long plane ride back to NYC in...

It is thrilling after all your work on a film, to have the exhilarating experience of a dynamic and successful Q & A at a film festival with a packed audience. Conversely, most of us have experienced the shock of seeing a Q &A where no questions were asked. Worse, is having your short screened with others and ending up the only one not having a questioned asked after hearing, “Well, guys, that’s all we have time for as the next film is coming in”. You Can Pack Those Screenings You can have ja...