> "These days, filmmakers—especially first-timers—are effectively subsidizing the entire industry—unpaid—through applications, funding labs, grants, and festival fees, among other commissions. The film industry no longer generates value through its interaction with audiences".
This had to be said! When I made my first narrative feature seven years ago, I was completely dumbfounded by this.
Carlos, as a first-time filmmaker I felt so much of this when premiering my film in 2022. It was always about the audience, the community, but one way or another I kept getting pushed into this awful system.
The pressure to chase prestige, to perform for funders and festivals, and to shape something deeply personal into something more “positioned” took a toll on my financial, mental and emotional well-being. I often felt disoriented and disconnected from the original purpose of the work. Your piece gave language to a tension I’ve been carrying for years.
The crisis isn’t cinema. It’s the industry that extracts from us, that asks for our truth but demands it fit within a mold. Reading your piece reminded me that I’m not alone, and it affirmed the path I’m now taking with my next film—centering process over product, community over commerce, and trusting in slower, more intentional ways of making.
I have been touring since 2018 with my docs. I learn the most about my art from sitting in the back of a movie theater with an audience. And then - come the Q and As.
My newest doc had a public screening earlier this year. Tension gripped me through the film. We had conformed, colored and finished a beautiful surround sound mix. But was the film done?
I was ungrounded in the Q and A. Detached. Over the next few days a distributor, who was present in person, echoed my feelings in a very generous conversation. The film was in trouble - I went back to editing. Flew to Bulgaria where picture conform had happened. Locked myself in the office of the editor. A few days later, David Lynch died. Damn. A reminder to never waiver.
I would have never gotten the same visceral feedback if I sent the film for people to watch online. That would be an intellectual overload ignoring the spiritual and body feedback.
Thank you for this insightful read. Here it to cinema, community and dialogue!
Such an inspiring read, Carlos. And a vital reminder that we must not be afraid to take the film to the audience. Cinema exists wherever one can gather an audience around a screen.
Brilliantly articulated! See Turkey’s “Başka Sinema” as an exemplar of extending that festival experience across the calendar. Boutique distributor Mars Film 🎬 has created a model that may chime with your Latin America efforts.
This is the rapid evolution of the entertainment industry, that has been happening in the shadows for years. Making Movies That Matter, that do more than just entertain but offer possible solutions to the problems that we face in the world today.
How many more people would leave their homes to go to the cinema, if instead of making them forget about their problems, it inspired them, uplifted them, and made them believe that anything was possible.
Can you imagine a theater full of people feeling their strength and power, through the communal experience of this new kind of film.
And the funding for these films could be made so that investors could get their money back, plus a profit, even before the film is released.
And in the world of sales and marketing the filmmakers could get as much as 100% of the profits from the distribution of their films.
All of this is possible, and we will be doing it, in the years to come.
> "These days, filmmakers—especially first-timers—are effectively subsidizing the entire industry—unpaid—through applications, funding labs, grants, and festival fees, among other commissions. The film industry no longer generates value through its interaction with audiences".
This had to be said! When I made my first narrative feature seven years ago, I was completely dumbfounded by this.
Excellent post, thank you for that. There are so many truths in it, and it's very timely. Sharing it as much as I can.
Carlos, as a first-time filmmaker I felt so much of this when premiering my film in 2022. It was always about the audience, the community, but one way or another I kept getting pushed into this awful system.
The pressure to chase prestige, to perform for funders and festivals, and to shape something deeply personal into something more “positioned” took a toll on my financial, mental and emotional well-being. I often felt disoriented and disconnected from the original purpose of the work. Your piece gave language to a tension I’ve been carrying for years.
The crisis isn’t cinema. It’s the industry that extracts from us, that asks for our truth but demands it fit within a mold. Reading your piece reminded me that I’m not alone, and it affirmed the path I’m now taking with my next film—centering process over product, community over commerce, and trusting in slower, more intentional ways of making.
I have been touring since 2018 with my docs. I learn the most about my art from sitting in the back of a movie theater with an audience. And then - come the Q and As.
My newest doc had a public screening earlier this year. Tension gripped me through the film. We had conformed, colored and finished a beautiful surround sound mix. But was the film done?
I was ungrounded in the Q and A. Detached. Over the next few days a distributor, who was present in person, echoed my feelings in a very generous conversation. The film was in trouble - I went back to editing. Flew to Bulgaria where picture conform had happened. Locked myself in the office of the editor. A few days later, David Lynch died. Damn. A reminder to never waiver.
I would have never gotten the same visceral feedback if I sent the film for people to watch online. That would be an intellectual overload ignoring the spiritual and body feedback.
Thank you for this insightful read. Here it to cinema, community and dialogue!
The industry isnt in crisis. The industry works fine... for corporations. They are only interested in moving their product.
Such an inspiring read, Carlos. And a vital reminder that we must not be afraid to take the film to the audience. Cinema exists wherever one can gather an audience around a screen.
This is excellent. Thank you.
Muchas gracias por tu claridad e ideas Carlos! Leerte es aire fresco y profunda inspiración. Abrazo desde Montevideo!
Brilliantly articulated! See Turkey’s “Başka Sinema” as an exemplar of extending that festival experience across the calendar. Boutique distributor Mars Film 🎬 has created a model that may chime with your Latin America efforts.
This is the rapid evolution of the entertainment industry, that has been happening in the shadows for years. Making Movies That Matter, that do more than just entertain but offer possible solutions to the problems that we face in the world today.
How many more people would leave their homes to go to the cinema, if instead of making them forget about their problems, it inspired them, uplifted them, and made them believe that anything was possible.
Can you imagine a theater full of people feeling their strength and power, through the communal experience of this new kind of film.
And the funding for these films could be made so that investors could get their money back, plus a profit, even before the film is released.
And in the world of sales and marketing the filmmakers could get as much as 100% of the profits from the distribution of their films.
All of this is possible, and we will be doing it, in the years to come.
Dear Carlos, I would like to to share some thoughts with you on the above. Please contact me.
Christian Kremer
www.airscreen.com
I have said so much of this so many times. Thank you for this impassioned but comprehensive take. 👏🏻
.. call me astonished .. an astonishing riveting revelation .. I felt sensational .. I have lived this and breathed it .. 🦎🏴☠️🎬 ..