Making Change - How to Use Grassroots Distribution to Build Audiences, Revenue, and Social Change With Film

Sponsor: UVM Film & TV Studies
In recent years, do-it-yourself screening tours, social media-driven publicity and crowd- sourced financing have emerged as viable tools for filmmakers and distributors alike to distribute independent films. But how exactly can filmmakers leverage the energy and enthusiasm of local activists, leaders, and student groups to successfully earn revenue and public impact through their films? In this workshop, Caitlin Boyle will present strategic and practical steps necessary for rallying a motivated audience around your film while earning distribution revenue and contributing to social change. Discover how old- fashioned organizing, grassroots communication, and new digital tools can create buzz around projects without mainstream distribution. Then, pose your own questions about the tools and resources you need to use your film to make change, and succeed financially.

Boyle is Founder & President of Film Sprout, a boutique distribution and outreach firm that helps filmmakers broaden the audience and impact of their documentary films through public screening initiatives that secure revenue, swell viewership and spark social change. She is the architect of national screening and audience outreach initiatives for dozens of feature documentaries, including King Corn, Pray the Devil Back to Hell, The End of the Line, A Small Act, Bag It and The Invisible War (playing in this year’s festival). Her workshops and presentations have rallied filmmakers at SXSW, Hot Docs, Independent Film Week, Sheffield Doc/Fest, the Los Angeles Film Festival and The New York Foundation for the Arts.