Distribution: Coexistance is Possible

The competitive nature of the industry, the limited amount of screens and the high volume of films is
forcing independent filmmakers and smaller distributors to try different models to reach audiences. It’s a
world where old and new are destined to coexist.

Peter Castaldi, director of the new distribution company PackScreen, will be one of the first to experiment with hybrid models.

This year Castaldi has consulted on the traditional release of titles such as Accidents Happen and Playing for Charlie, but next month he will release The Tumbler in partnership with Umbrella Entertainment. The film will screen at independent cinemas Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth, with the guarantee of a one-month run, and in the second half of that month, it will be available on DVD.

The deal with these cinemas is flexible in terms of the number of sessions; Pack Screen wants the one-month guarantee so rather than asking for 25-30 sessions across the week, it could be that same number of sessions over a month.