Announcing Our New Podcast: “Distribution Advocates Presents”

The first episodes drop on January 31, 2024

Over the past six months, Distribution Advocates researched, developed, and interviewed over a dozen of filmmakers, industry insiders, expert historians, and activist thought-leaders for our new podcast, Distribution Advocates Presents. The first episodes will drop on January 31, 2024, on Spotify, Amazon Music, this Substack, and other TBA platforms.

Spurred by our work as filmmakers in narrative change, we chase the myths and realities of our own field of independent filmmaking in search of a more just and equitable ecosystem. The stories featured in our podcast are usually whispered in dark corners at industry cocktail parties—but for the industry to shift, we must openly question some of our deepest-held beliefs about how independent films get made and released, and who profits from them.

Many thanks to Moso Haus, who produced the podcast. Credits: Nacey Watson Johnson, producer; Ivana Tucker, supervising producer; Samiah Adams, production manager; Emily Crain, sound design. And of course, a heartfelt thank you to our funders, Just Films | Ford Foundation, Perspective Fund, and Color Congress.

SHOW DESCRIPTION

Distribution Advocates Presents demystifies the world of independent film distribution with honest insider stories. How can we better understand what’s happening to the ecosystem and start to create more equitable distribution systems moving forward? Hosted by Avril Speaks, filmmaker and co-founder of Distribution Advocates, this series of conversations examines concerning practices in the industry and explores innovative and sustainable solutions.

Check out the podcast trailer:

THE EPISODES WILL COVER…

Sales Agents

What exactly do sales agents do, and why do they matter? Host Avril Speaks and her guests demystify the role of sales agents, and explore one filmmaker’s journey in finding distribution without one. This episode features conversations with Pat Murphy, Orly Ravid, Alece Oxendine, Set Hernandez, Abby Sun, Efuru Flowers, and Kaila Sarah Hier.

Awards

Filmmakers successful in running an awards season campaign tell their story and unveil underlying capital systems dominating the awards landscape on this episode. Are these campaigns worth the hype? Are they right for your film? This episode features conversations with Matt Stoller, Abby Sun, Rintu Thomas, Sushmit Ghosh, and Kaila Sarah Hier.

Film Festivals

On this episode, we examine the functions of the film festival system and interrogate whether its promises reign true. Are film festivals still havens of discovery, dealmaking, and connection for filmmakers? This episode features conversations with Kaila Sarah Hier, Amy Hobby, Jemma Desai, and Abby Sun.

Film School

Why is distribution almost completely absent from film school curriculums? Host Avril Speaks delves into this discrepancy and looks at the real-world consequences for filmmakers. This episode features conversations with Jameka Autry, Barbara Twist, Alece Oxendine, and Pat Murphy.

Exhibition

Host Avril Speaks has a variety of conversations that explore new frameworks for exhibition by bringing the focus back to the basics: reaching audiences. By examining the direct connection with audiences, filmmakers are recentering exhibition as the primary focus of filmmaking. This episode features conversations with Alece Oxendine, Barbara Twist, Matt Stoller, Kaila Sarah Hier, Abby Sun, Efuru Flowers, Carlos Gutiérrez, and Jemma Desai.

And, of course… Distribution

Distribution Advocates Presents takes a hard look at the current system of distribution, and what can happen to filmmakers when a distribution company fails. In conversation with an independent distributor, this episode also considers the larger corporate forces currently dictating and limiting the range of distribution for both distributors and filmmakers—and thus, ultimately, audiences. This episode features conversations with Orly Ravid, Kim Laureen, Pat Murphy, Efuru Flowers, and Matt Stoller.