FilmTiki: Online and DIY Film Marketing and Distribution

The Internet is changing how and why audiences see films. On one hand we have new ways to obtain movies online as the choice of download platforms grows, and online retailers such as Amazon deliver almost anything right to your doorstep.

On the other hand, marketing efforts need to take changing social behaviour into account - social networks and blogs are rapidly becoming mainstream communication channels, impacting heavily on where to not just reach, but also engage potential audiences. If it’s done right, word-of-mouth is not just the most trusted form of advertising, it is also effective and affordable, especially when done online.

Furthermore, online channels provide great potential to reach highly engaged niche audiences who are more invested in the topic of a film than a mainstream audience is likely to be.

But how can filmmakers harness these possibilities to get their films to their audiences effectively? How do filmmakers reach, engage and mobilise their audiences? How much time, expertise and money is involved to harness the full potential of online platforms for marketing and distribution, and even financing purposes?