Distribution Advocates Launches FilmADE Grants to Help Fund Marketing for Independent Films (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned movie enthusiast with decades of attending indie film festivals under my belt, I must say that the FilmADE Fund is a breath of fresh air for independent storytellers like myself. The idea of supporting up to 30 films annually and providing them with the necessary resources to reach and engage their audiences is truly inspiring.


Distribution Advocates, a group focused on empowering independent storytellers, has unveiled the FilmADE Fund. This initiative aims to assist as many as 30 independent films annually by providing financial aid, training in essential skills, and collaborative opportunities within the industry for both U.S. theatrical and non-theatrical film releases.

Starting this coming Thursday, I’m thrilled to announce that applications for a groundbreaking film funding opportunity are opening! This program offers grants ranging from $5,000 to an impressive $50,000, which can be used to innovate marketing strategies and experiment with distribution methods. The ultimate goal is to spark a revolutionary transformation across the entire industry, making it easier for independent films like mine to connect and resonate more deeply with audiences.

FilmADE, short for Film Audience Development and Engagement, functions via three key strategies: it offers funding for trials in audience development and distribution, delivers training programs for film teams, and gathers and disseminates data to facilitate the growth of the industry.

Additionally, it provides strategic workshops to help filmmakers acquire vital skills such as audience targeting, social media interaction, content creation, and publicity planning. Recipients of these grants will subsequently share their trial results, which the organizers will compile into case studies, podcast discussions, and field updates.

“Amy Hobby, co-founder of Distribution Advocates, expressed great pride in their work focused on filmmakers. This work played a significant role in creating the structure of this fund. The team recognized a gap in the system requiring intervention, one that could channel the ingenuity, wit, and courage of independent film into audience building and interaction, so they took initiative.”

In the autumn and winter of 2024, partnerships and educational workshops will start, followed by releasing initial data sets around mid-2025. For those interested in applying for the grants, details are available on the FilmADE Fund’s official website.

Displayed above: Distribution Advocates’ co-founders Karin Chien, Avril Speaks, Carlos Gutierrez, and Amy Hobby conduct a seminar on groundbreaking distribution strategies.

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2024-08-20 20:20