Future of Theatrical Distribution: User-Pulled Screenings, Maybe?

"User-pulled screenings" are gaining momentum and structure below the equator.  Today Variety highlighted MovieMobz - a website owned by a Brazilian theater chain that allows film lovers to choose the films that screen in their theaters. 

"Once enough viewers vote on a film, [MovieMobz] emails members with screening details.  So far, MovieMobz has attracted 4,000 members and staged 20 film sessions...About 2.5 people attend for every member who's voted."

"User-pulled screenings (also called "Cinema on Demand") are not new.  Arin Crumley and Susan Buice put this idea to the test in distributing their feature film 4 Eyed Monsters.  Fans requested screenings in their area by filling out a form on their MySpace page.  When over 150 fans from a certain area submitted the request, Arin and Susan booked the theater.

The From Here to Awesome Film Festival theatrically screened the winners of the Festival as part of DIY Day San Francisco after audiences voted on their respective pitch clips.

The key difference about Brazil's MovieMobz and the case studies highlighted above, is that it's the exhibitor pulling the fans' participation, rather than filmmakers.

So what's keeping Cinema on Demand from expanding internationally in a structured and scalable way?  Is it technology limitations?  Lack of audience readiness?  What do you think?

Please share your thoughts in Comments.  We're curious to know what the IndieGoGo community thinks about the future of theatrical distribution.  Will "User-pulled screenings" be a part of it?

- GoGoDanae

Comments

[Arin Crumley]

Thanks for the Nod. I'm a friend of Fabio Lima who is the CEO of MovieMobz and we had some really cool talks a year and a half ago about this model and how it could work for all films and I'm glad he's really running with this.

[Mike]

This is very exciting :) Especially the 2.5 people per vote.