We have a special treat for you! Kinema's Head of Marketing, Ami Vora, joins Christie in chatting with film legend and king of #Filmstack, Ted Hope! Ted is a renowned filmmaker and the former co-head of Amazon Studios, and in this episode he generously shares with us his journey in the film industry, his experiences with Substack, and his vision for empowering independent filmmakers. We covered: The evolution of independent filmmakingThe role of community in the film industryStrategies ...

In this episode of Have You Seen My Film, host Christie sits down with Ray Kuglar, a Houston-based unit stills photographer with over a decade of experience on set. Ray shares his insights on the vital role of a unit stills photographer in film production, explaining how high-quality stills are essential for marketing, advertising, and selling films. Join us as we discuss: What a unit stills photographer does and why they are crucial on setThe types of content captured, including publicity st...

I love when a guest gets spicy with their hot takes! We spoke with the legendary Jeffrey Winter, co-executive director of The Film Collaborative, to get the hard truths on getting into film festivals. More on Kinema for Filmmakers here: https://bit.ly/kinemayoutube 🎙️ Hosted and co-produced by Christie Marchese 🎬 Produced and edited by Ron Passaro 💻 https://kinema.com/

I sat down with Gen Z filmmaker and office intern Emma Buzgo as she explained social media to this old Millennial. Emma shared insights into how Gen Z engages with film communities online, particularly on platforms like TikTok. More on Kinema for Filmmakers here: https://bit.ly/kinemayoutube 🎙️ Hosted and co-produced by Christie Marchese 🎬 Produced and edited by Ron Passaro 💻 https://kinema.com/

In episode 2 of this season we sat down with THE Richard Rushfield! Richard is the Editorial Director and a Columnist for The Ankler, and a leading voice in the entertainment industry. We explored the evolving landscape of independent film. From the vibrant scenes at the Toronto Film Festival to the challenges and opportunities facing filmmakers today, Richard shares his insights on marketing, audience engagement, and the future of cinema. Discover how human connection remains vital in a di...

Welcome back to the Kinema podcast! We're kicking off season 3 with what filmmakers wanted to know most! We asked Kinema filmmakers what they wanted us to cover on the podcast. And we ended up getting loads of questions about how to best take advantage of the Kinema platform. So we brought in Kayla Kaipolani Carroll, Kinema's Head of Community. She is the first point of contact for screenings hosts and audiences, and sometimes filmmakers. Tune in to learn the answers to some of ou...

Sonya Childress and Sahar Driver are the co-founders and co-directors of the nonprofit organization Color Congress. In this episode, they share with us a sneak peek at Elevate Docs, their recently launched series of marketing experiments aimed at strengthening film distribution infrastructures for diverse audiences. In this episode, we discuss: 🎬 The mission and vision of Color Congress as an ecosystem builder for documentary organizations led by and serving people of color. 🎬 Th...

Do you need a theatrical release for your film? Why is it important? Can you do it on my own or should you hire someone? Annalisa Shoemaker, the founder of Suncatcher Productions, answers these questions for us. With over a decade of experience leading theatrical distribution campaigns at Amazon Studios and Focus Features, Annalisa shares her expertise on how filmmakers can successfully navigate the complexities of getting their films into theaters. In this episode, we discuss: 🎬 The diffe...

How do you build your email list to over 160,000 people - before your film is even available? We talked to first time filmmakers Brandon and Whitney Cawood about the release of their incredibly impactful documentary 'To Dye For,' which explores the risks associated with synthetic food dyes and the personal stories of families affected by them. Brandon and Whitney share their unique approach to filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of education and storytelling in making a real impact. The...

Alece Oxendine is a multitalented film industry expert and distribution strategist. She's worked in streaming tech at Fandor and GoDigtial, was director of Industry and Festival Outreach at Columbia University and is now serving as the Executive Director of Film Durham. Alece shares her expertise on breaking into the entertainment industry, maximizing the benefits of film school, and the importance of film festivals for emerging filmmakers. In this episode: 🎬 The role of audience...

Candice S. Cook Simmons is a multi-talented entrepreneur, lawyer, and business strategist. In this episode, we dive deep into her fascinating career journey, from trademarking the iconic cronut pastry to her current role as president of Color Farm Impact. Candice shares her thoughts on the evolving landscape of film financing and distribution, highlighting the importance of understanding audience dynamics and the power of community in the entertainment industry. We discuss the shift towards ...

Jo Jensen is an accomplished entrepreneur and marketing strategist with over two decades of experience at the intersection of digital innovation, public affairs, and entertainment. Currently the SVP of Digital and Entertainment at Touchdown Strategies, Jo also founded MovieGoer, a film marketing and distribution company that bridges entertainment and advocacy. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of digital campaigns, focusing on the importance of social listening. Jo shares her uniq...

Let's talk legal with Steven Beer, a partner at Lewis Brisbois and the national chair of the firm's entertainment, media, and sports practice. With extensive experience in film, television, and music, Steven shares invaluable insights into the world of independent filmmaking and distribution. In this episode: 🎬 When independent filmmakers should engage a lawyer 🎬 Why early legal advice is crucial. 🎬 The importance of understanding distribution models and how they impact your film...

Stephen Ross Meier is an accomplished screenplay writer, director, and producer known for his recent works, including the coming-of-age thriller ‘Woodbridge’ and the feature film ‘Lake George.’ Stephen is one of the most generous and prolific filmmakers on LinkedIn. He generously shares with us how and why he uses LinkedIn to share his indie filmmaking knowledge. Stephen shares his journey as an indie lifer, his thoughts on the current state of the film industry, and the importance of mergi...

Matt Hoklotubbe is a film producer and head of entertainment partnerships at Influential, the largest influencer marketing company in the world. With a network of over 3.5 million creators, Influential collaborates with 300 brands globally, including major studios and streaming platforms. In this insightful conversation, Matt breaks down the difference between influencers and creators, explaining how each plays a unique role in movie marketing. He shares his experiences working with brands l...

Join Dor Dotson and Matt Delman, social and digital media experts, as they dive into the world of digital film promotion. Together, they launched Genuine Impression, an agency dedicated to leading digital and social media campaigns for Oscar hopefuls and independent films. In this episode, Dor and Matt share their expertise on social media strategy, ad buying, and the importance of building an audience for your film. They discuss the evolution of social media, the significance of platforms l...

Join us in this enlightening episode as we chat with Maurizio and Zaya Benazzo, the visionary founders of Science and Nonduality. With a lifelong passion for science and mysticism, they have created a global community that bridges timeless wisdom traditions with modern science, all grounded in direct experience. In this episode, we dive deep into their journey as filmmakers and the impactful documentaries they've produced, including "The Wisdom of Trauma" and "Where Olive Trees Weep." Discov...

Carla Santiago is the founder of Stori Digital, a point of connection agency that specializes in creating transformative partnerships between talent and brands. And whoa we learned a lot about what makes an incredible screening event! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of strategic partnerships, intentional networking, and community engagement, drawing from Carla's extensive experience at Netflix and her current work at Stori Digital. Carla shares her unique perspective on what ...

What does it look like to develop a long term plan for your independent release? From fundraising to distribution Catherine Gray, the producer of the award-winning documentary film Show Her the Money and author of the book by the same name, tells us how! Catherine is a venture capitalist, general partner of the Silicon Valley Women Founders Fund, founder of SheAngels Investors, and co-founder of the SheAngels Foundation. She is also a TEDx speaker and host of the popular podcast Invest in He...

In this episode, we sit down with acclaimed filmmaker, author, and media strategist Jon Reiss (8above) to dive deep into the world of film distribution. With over 15 years of experience helping filmmakers connect with audiences and profitably release their films, Jon shares invaluable insights on how to set effective distribution goals. Join us as we explore: 🎬 The importance of having a singular distribution goal and how it can guide your decision-making process. 🎬 The four primary di...