John Fithian is launching an online marketplace to connect filmmakers directly with exhibitors. The platform is called “Attend,” and it puts the “intelligence” into its artificial intelligence. Attend’s tech, powered by the Vista Group, pairs filmmakers with the specific theaters best suited to their movie. For exhibitors, Attend is a portal to a broader range of content. This way, filmmakers retain the rights to their movie, and exhibitors keep control over their screens.
Sorry about all of that, distributors.
A filmmaker uploads details about (and assets from) their films directly into Attend, including metadata and other specifics. The platform’s AI will match the movie with theaters based on their customer data, local demographics, and affinity groups.
Attend will launch an alpha phase in the U.S. in early 2025; it will also be offered in Australia.
Fithian and Attend have already received the endorsement of several-dozen filmmakers and producers — including Damien Chazelle, Steven Soderbergh, and Patty Jenkins — who see the platform as a viable way to save independent film. The full list can be found below.
“We support Attend’s plan to revitalize independent film distribution and marketing through technology, transparency and respect for filmmakers and theatre owners,” the filmmakers collectively signed in a statement. “A modern, democratic, data-driven marketplace providing an efficient and effective way to distribute all genres of film directly to theaters and audiences is a vital need for our industry and art form. We look forward to using this important new tool for our work.”
Chris Bender
Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, Bona Fide Productions
Juliet Berman, Spiral Stairs Entertainment
Todd Black and Jason Blumenthal, Escape Artists
Nina Yang Bongiovi, Significant Productions
Effie Brown, Gamechanger
Kristin Burr, Burr! Productions
Anne Carey, Purple Pebble Pictures
Susan Cartsonis and Suzanne Farwell, Resonate Entertainment
Guymon Casady, Entertainment 360
Liza Chasin
Damien Chazelle and Olivia Hamilton, Wild Chickens
Dylan Clark, Dylan Clark Productions
Bruce Cohen, Bruce Cohen Productions
Dan Levy Dagerman and Selina Ringel, Two Hands Productions
Naomi Despres, Artina Films
Dean Devlin, Electric Entertainment
Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Di Bonaventura Pictures
Jonathan Eirich, Rideback
Marc Evans
Erik Feig, Picturestart
Bradley Fischer, Wise Owl Media
Craig Flores, Bread & Circuses Entertainment
Gary Foster, Gary Foster Productions, Inc.
Brad Fuller, Platinum Dunes
Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, Plan B
Todd Garner, Broken Road Productions
Howard Gertler, Little Punk
Emile Gladstone, Latchkey
Sarah Green, Brace Cove Productions
Carla Hacken, Paper Pictures
John Hall, Retinue Media
Margot Hand, Picture Films
Joe Hart, Hartland Studios
Alex Heineman, The Picture Company
David Hoberman, Hobie Films
Ted Hope, HopeForFilm, Double Hope Films
Leah Holzer, Defiant By Nature
Gale Anne Hurd, Valhalla Entertainment
Dan Janvey
Patty Jenkins, Wicious Pictures
Loretha Jones
Caroline Kaplan
Jonathan King
Cathy Konrad, Tree Line Film
David Koplan, Magnetic Fields Entertainment
Karyn Kusama, Familystyle Film
David Lancaster, Rumble Films
Greg Lauritano, Black Magic
Andrew Lazar, Mad Chance
Laura Lewis, Rebelle Media
Stephen Love, Made With Love Media
Nimitt Mankad, Inimitable Pictures
Andrew Miano, Depth of Field
Rob McGillivray, Tip-Top Productions
Tom McNulty, MC2 Entertainment
Paul Mezey
Kevin Misher, Misher Films
Gil Netter, Netter Films
Siena Oberman, Artemis Pictures
Sev Ohanian, Proximity Media
Bruna Papandrea, Made Up Stories
Jamie Patricof, Hunting Lane Films
Heather Rae, Iron Circle Pictures
James Reatchlous, Two Daughters Entertainment
Amy Redford, RedSkye Productions
Nathan Ross, Lilyrose Productions
Aaron Ryder, Ryder Picture Co.
Peter Samuelson, Philmco Media
Cathy Schulman, Welle Entertainment
Jonathan Schwarz, Super Crispy Entertainment
Stacey Sher
Natalie Simpkins, 19Creative
Steven Soderbergh, Extension 765
Christina Steinberg, Locksmith Animation
Laure Sudreau, Ouroboros Entertainment
Lynette Howell Taylor, 51 Entertainment
Bob Teitel, State Street Pictures
Suzanne Todd
Mark Vahradian, Di Bonaventura Pictures
Monique Walton, Bluestack Media
Kevin Walsh, The Walsh Co.
Jim Whitaker – Whitaker Entertainment
Janet Yang