Truly Indie?

It’s ironic that Caveh Zahedi won the “Best Film Not Playing in a Theater Near You” at this year’s IFP Gotham Awards. If Mark Cuban has his way, it will stay that way.

Zahedi’s award-winning film, I am a Sex Addict, picked up distribution from IFC Films after a long and successful festival tour. And then, his film was chosen as one of the first to be a part of IFC First Take, a day-and-date release agreement where the film opens simultaneously in theaters and offered On Demand through Comcast.

But in a surprise move, Mark Cuban, head of Landmark Theaters, pulled Zahedi’s film from Landmark theaters because he would not support the “competition.” I know this shouldn’t surprise me. It’s the nature of the business and everyone is looking out for themselves.

I think it’s a real shame that as a result, this will limit the audience for Zahedi’s film.

Maybe it’s because I worked at IFP for so many years, but I look at the independent film industry as a true community. WE (indie film biz peeps) look out for each other (other indie film biz peeps) to ensure that our work is seen and supported, because if one indie film succeeds, that opens the doors for the rest of us. Right?

We started this site because we wanted to make indie films more accessible to the general public. I ask you to support this film out when it comes to your town.

If you’re in New York, check out the panel presented by IFP and Filmmaker Magazine entitled “Distribution Now: Distribution How” featuring Zahedi, Debra Granik, and Jay Duplass as panelists. Moderated by Scott Macaulay, this panel will cover all the practical things every indie filmmaker should know regarding distribution, post production, and festivals. IFP has committed that $8 our of every $10 spent on the panel wil go directly to Zahedi’s opening box office and guaranteeing each participant a ticket to the film.

To learn more about Zahedi’s film, go to www.iamasexaddictthemovie.com.

Long live indie film,

Michelle