Ritzy Jukebox – a new platform for independent film
At the Picturehouse office we’re regularly sent films from independent filmmakers that haven’t managed to secure UK distribution, with the hope of getting them screened in our cinemas, a sort of ‘cut out the middle-man’ approach and take the film straight to the audience. The problem is, where is that audience? How do you go about finding them without the expertise of a distributor? Hence, our usual response, which is to encourage filmmakers to keep knocking on those distributor doors.
It doesn’t stop us getting frustrated when we know that for some of the films that come through our doors, there is an audience out there, albeit a small one most likely, but an audience none-the-less. Is there a way of championing these films and filmmakers while minimising the risk inherent in giving up valuable screen time in the process?
The Ritzy Jukebox is an attempt to do just that. In this (rather cold) new year, we are going to offer a regular interactive screening slot as a platform for truly independent feature films. How does it work? We’ve lined up three new films, from a range of talent, which will be cued and ready to play on the night.
Three films you say? One night? Well, this is where you come in. We’re giving customers, film fans, other champions of independent cinema the opportunity to vote for the film that plays on the night. All three filmmakers will be there to represent their pictures, give a brief pitch and a taster and then we hand it over to the audience to decide. Each audience member has a ballot card and the rest is up to you.
So, for the first time (I think), we’re going to let the audience programme the cinema. By having three films in the ballot we’re hoping the filmmakers themselves will help drum up an audience, if nothing else but to try and ensure their film is the chosen one to screen.
Tickets are on-sale now on the Ritzy website. Or via the Box Office on 0871 704 2065.
Check out the the Jukebox blog where you’ll find more information about this week’s films and you can follow the Ritzy Jukebox on Twitter as well @RitzyJukebox.
