The Fithian Group, launched last fall by longtime NATO chief John Fithian, has developed a data-driven, digital theatrical distribution market it hopes will revolutionize how impartial filmmakers and rights-holders e book and launch films in theaters.
An early model of the platform, known as Attend, rolls out Stateside within the first quarter of 2025. The U.S. and Australia shall be preliminary markets.
Dozens of filmmakers and producers from Sean Baker to Steven Soderbergh Patty Jenkins and Ted Hope are supporting the idea, signing on to an Attend assertion “that trendy, democratic, data-driven market offering an environment friendly and efficient approach to distribute all genres of movie on to theatres and audiences is an important want for our business and artwork kind.”
Powered by leisure tech agency Vista Group, {the marketplace} permits filmmakers to add particulars and supplies for his or her movies straight onto the platform. Exhibitors can search the database, and Attend recommends films. The platform additionally facilitates the logistics of getting the movies to display. It’s aimed toward rising each the quantity and vary of flicks exhibitors can presents and serving to them program and market the titles.
The hope is to regain a thriving theatrical market, which the Fithian Group says has been in decline for the previous 20 years, nicely earlier than the large hit from Covid, streaming, and Hollywood strikes. It needs to assist develop the annual theatrical launch slate by that includes mid-range films which have principally disappeared from cinemas, worldwide films in search of home releases, and films that sometimes obtain restricted theatrical launch however might acquire broader audiences via data-driven theater choice, scheduling and advertising.
“Attend expands prospects for filmmakers and non-studio films to succeed in audiences and to broaden the attain and effectivity of present distributors. Over a few years of grappling with the challenges and alternatives going through the theatrical market worldwide, as business leaders we have now sought options that develop the enterprise for all stakeholders,” mentioned Jackie Brenneman, a founding accomplice of The Fithian Group.
“With their main expertise, Vista Group’s assist will assist create new alternatives for filmmakers, exhibitors and audiences that may not in any other case exist,” mentioned Simon Burton, Vista Group’s Chief Movie Officer. “We consider that supporting The Fithian Group with Vista’s applied sciences and options will create alternatives for rights holders, exhibitors and moviegoers”
Under is Attend’s mission assertion and the listing of business gamers who agreed to publicly assist it:
“We assist Attend’s plan to revitalize independent film distribution and advertising via expertise, transparency and respect for filmmakers and theatre house owners. A contemporary, democratic, data-driven market offering an environment friendly and efficient approach to distribute all genres of movie on to theatres and audiences is an important want for our business and artwork kind. We sit up for utilizing this vital new software for our work.”
Sean Baker
Chris Bender
Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, Bona Fide Productions
Juliet Berman, Spiral Stairs Leisure
Todd Black and Jason Blumenthal, Escape Artists
Nina Yang Bongiovi, Important Productions
Effie Brown, Gamechanger
Kristin Burr, Burr! Productions
Anne Carey, Purple Pebble Footage
Susan Cartsonis and Suzanne Farwell, Resonate Leisure
Guymon Casady, Leisure 360
Liza Chasin
Damien Chazelle and Olivia Hamilton, Wild Chickens
Dylan Clark, Dylan Clark Productions
Bruce Cohen, Bruce Cohen Productions
Dan Levy Dagerman and Selina Ringel, Two Fingers Productions
Naomi Despres, Artina Movies
Dean Devlin, Electrical Leisure
Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Di Bonaventura Footage
Jonathan Eirich, Rideback
Marc Evans
Erik Feig, Picturestart
Bradley Fischer, Smart Owl Media
Craig Flores, Bread & Circuses Leisure
Gary Foster, Gary Foster Productions, Inc.
Brad Fuller, Platinum Dunes
Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, Plan B
Todd Garner, Damaged Highway Productions
Howard Gertler, Little Punk
Emile Gladstone, Latchkey
Sarah Inexperienced, Brace Cove Productions
Carla Hacken, Paper Footage
John Corridor, Retinue Media
Margot Hand, Image Movies
Joe Hart, Hartland Studios
Alex Heineman, The Image Firm
David Hoberman, Hobie Movies
Ted Hope, HopeForFilm, Double Hope Movies
Leah Holzer, Defiant By Nature
Gale Anne Hurd, Valhalla Leisure
Dan Janvey
Patty Jenkins, Wicious Footage
Loretha Jones
Caroline Kaplan
Jonathan King
Cathy Konrad, Tree Line Movie
David Koplan, Magnetic Fields Leisure
Karyn Kusama, Familystyle Movie
David Lancaster, Rumble Movies
Greg Lauritano, Black Magic
Andrew Lazar, Mad Likelihood
Laura Lewis, Rebelle Media
Stephen Love, Made With Love Media
Nimitt Mankad, Inimitable Footage
Andrew Miano, Depth of Discipline
Rob McGillivray, Tip-Prime Productions
Tom McNulty, MC2 Leisure
Paul Mezey
Kevin Misher, Misher Movies
Gil Netter, Netter Movies
Siena Oberman, Artemis Footage
Sev Ohanian, Proximity Media
Bruna Papandrea, Made Up Tales
Jamie Patricof, Looking Lane Movies
Heather Rae, Iron Circle Footage
James Reatchlous, Two Daughters Leisure
Amy Redford, RedSkye Productions
Nathan Ross, Lilyrose Productions
Aaron Ryder, Ryder Image Co.
Peter Samuelson, Philmco Media
Cathy Schulman, Welle Leisure
Jonathan Schwarz, Tremendous Crispy Leisure
Stacey Sher
Natalie Simpkins, 19Creative
Steven Soderbergh, Extension 765
Christina Steinberg, Locksmith Animation
Laure Sudreau, Ouroboros Leisure
Lynette Howell Taylor, 51 Leisure
Bob Teitel, State Avenue Footage
Suzanne Todd
Mark Vahradian, Di Bonaventura Footage
Monique Walton, Bluestack Media
Kevin Walsh, The Walsh Co.
Jim Whitaker – Whitaker Leisure
Janet Yang
