This week, producer/director Kade Atwood breaks down the DIY marketing and distribution strategy behind SXSW breakout Edie Arnold is a Loser.
From grassroots audience engagement and handmade merch to SXSW buzz screening and turning down predatory distribution deals, Kade shares what the team learned from the 8 Above Distribution Lab that empowered them to stop waiting for Hollywood's permission and start building their own path forward.
đź“„Full guest post on the 8 Above Substack
đź”—Link in bio
@ediearnoldmovie
#8Above #8abovedistributionlab #filmdistribution #hybriddistribution #independentfilm #independentfilmdistribution #documentarydistribution #documentaryfilmmarketing #jonreisswebinars #jonreiss #filmmakersofinstagram
I first fell in love with Steal This Story, Please! — which is opening tomorrow @ifccenter in NY — at the Woodstock Film Festival, and it has only felt more urgent since.
Centered on Amy Goodman and Democracy Now!, the film is a gripping portrait of independent journalism, moral clarity, and the power of building something meaningful in community.
It is also a reminder that there is absolutely an audience for political films — especially when they bring people together to connect, discuss, and act.
The release is expanding across the country, with screenings in 70+ cities, many of which are already sold out. Get your tickets! @stealthisstoryplease
#StealThisStoryPlease #AmyGoodman #DemocracyNow #IndependentFilmDistribution #DocumentaryFilm #FilmDistribution #Journalism #8Above #ifccenter
How to Create a Distribution and Marketing Strategy – Now! with Jon Reiss
The “traditional” distribution landscape is essentially gone - 99% of independent filmmakers are now on their own to find new and creative solutions to ensure their films reach audiences in an impactful way.
In this four part virtual workshop with The D-Word, I will outline fundamental principles and real-world strategies for success in the ever-changing and often-daunting realm of distribution and marketing.
đź“… Taking place from April 23 - May 21.
To learn more and register: Link in the bio
#D-Word #jonreiss #8Above #filmdistribution #hybriddistribution #independentfilm #independentfilmmarketing #documentarydistribution #documentaryfilmmarketing #jonreisswebinars #jonreiss #filmmakersofinstagram
Over the past year, “creators” who have been building audiences on social channels have started making feature films and selling out theaters across the country.
Join us today for a conversation with Max Reisinger, co-founder and CEO of @creatorcamp , which recently released its first feature Two Sleepy People and @richardrushfield , editorial director and co-founder of The Ankler & Ankler Media, as we look at how these creators are reshaping the way films are made, funded, and discovered and how filmmakers can learn from them. đź“… Thursday, March 26th | 12:00 PM ET, 9:00 AM PT
đź’° Free for all attendees. đź“Ť Zoom Registration Link in the bio
#8above #8abovesubstack #audienceengagement #distribution #filmdistribution #filmindustry #filmmarketing #filmstack #filmstrategy #filmmaking #hybriddistribution #independentfilm #independentfilmmarketing #jonreiss #jonreisswebinars #jonreisssubstack #substack #webinar #creatorcamp #maxreisinger #youtubers
Case Study Webinar: The LibrariansÂ
How does a documentary go from a four-week theatrical run to 150+ theaters across the U.S. and Canada — and reach $250,000 and counting at the box office?
This case study examines the theatrical strategy behind The Librarians, one of the highest-grossing documentaries of 2025. Director Kim A. Snyder and producer Janique Robillard, in conversation with distribution strategist Jon Reiss, break down the decisions that shaped the release — from booking and release planning to audience engagement and impact.
The discussion offers a practical look at:
    •    What worked — and what didn’t
    •    The eventized release model — using screenings as town halls
    •    What filmmakers can apply to their own theatrical strategies
Date & Time: Wednesday, February 11 | 12:00 PM ET, 9:00 AM PT
Free for all attendees.Â
Zoom Registration Link (https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/FEmh0QNCQsuXV_fTcEKwbw#/registration)
#thelibrarians #bookbanning #theatricaldistribution #filmmaking
The demand for consulting work and campaigns has increased many fold. To help us expand our work with filmmakers I am super excited to announce that we have brought on Chris Horton to work with me on distribution and strategy. Chris is not only one of the wisest people in the industry when it comes to distribution and marketing - he is one of the nicest as well. I’ve had the pleasure to know and occasionally work with him since 2007, when he was at FilmBuff and advised me on distribution strategy for my documentary Bomb It. We collaborated over the years, including when he moved to LA and joined Sundance to launch its Artist Services and Creative Distribution initiatives. We are thrilled to have him on board!
#8above #jonreiss #filmmakers #independentfilmdistribution #fillmakersofinstagram #FilmDistribution #filmmakersofinstagram #documentaryfilm #independentfilmmarketing
The Ultimate Merch Masterclass: One of our best webinars to date - featuring panelists Gary Hustwit, Jeanie Finlay, Amy Hobby, and Eli Valentin - highlights the ways in which merch can be used by filmmakers to meet their distribution goals in unexpected and highly impactful ways. Panelists shed light on the ways in which merch can be used as a tool to extend their films into physical space, build communities that outlast event/theatrical runs, and create revenue streams that help fund the next film.
Full Substack and webinar post linked in IG story
#substack #webinar #filmwebinar #merch #filmdistribution #jonreiss #filmstack #8above #independent film #independentfilmdistribution #8abovesubstack #jonreisssubstack #filmmerch
The Ultimate Merch Master Class: Create Value Beyond the Box Office
Merch isn’t just T-shirts—it’s strategy. Join filmmakers and merchandise pioneers Gary Hustwit (Eno) Jeanie Finlay (Your Fat Friend) and Amy Hobby (1-800-On-Her-Own) for a deep dive into how independent films can design, price, and sell merchandise that actually sustains their releases and their creativity.
Date & Time: December 4th 2025, Noon ET/9am PT
Free for all attendees.
Zoom registration link on IG story.
#Merchandising #FilmMerch #Filmmaking #filmmakersofinstagram #filmstrategy #documentaryfilm #filmsupport #indiefilmsupport #FilmMarketing #8Above
“As well-crafted as it is profoundly alarming.” —The New York Times, Critic’s Pick
This week, The Librarians, which had its World Premiere at @sundanceorg , opened to sold-out screenings at @filmforumnyc , featuring panel discussions with director Kim A. Snyder, producer Maria Cuomo Cole, and librarians Audrey Wilson-Youngblood and Martha Hickson.
The film expands to 29 markets nationwide this week in honor of Banned Books Week.
Profiling nine librarians on the front lines of America’s censorship crisis, The Librarians captures the quiet courage of those who risk their jobs to protect the freedom to read.
đź“– Read Sheri Linden’s full review via the link in our IG Story.Â
#TheLibrarians #NYTCriticsPick #Documentary #Censorship #IndieFilm #8Above #Books #BannedBooksWeek
The Librarians: Defending Books, Democracy, and the Freedom to Read
We are super proud to be releasing The Librarians opening October 3 at Film Forum in New York City before moving to Los Angeles and then nationwide. The Librarians is more than a film about book banning—it’s a powerful reminder that controlling ideas means controlling communities.
Film Forum, NYC – Opens Friday, Oct 3.
Laemmle, LA - Opens Thursday, Oct 9.
London, UK - Opens Friday, Sept 26th.
The response has been incredible - opening night at Film Forum is already sold out - and the trailer went viral with over a million views across platforms in the first ten days.
Read more about The Librarian in 8 Above’s recent Substack post—link in our IG story.
#TheLibrariansFilm #8Above #IndependentFilmDistribution
#theatricalrelease
Beyond the Marquee: The Power of Event Theatrical - Part 2
The second in a two part series on the what, why and how of Event Theatrical, is now live on Substack. Let’s stop thinking of “theatrical” as a seven-day booking with fingers crossed.
The Three Main Avenues of Event Theatrical:
1. Film Festivals
2. Conventional Theatrical (Reimagined)
3. Community & Grassroots Screenings
Full Substack post linked in IG Story.
#Substack #EventTheatrical #IndieFilm #FilmDistribution #Filmmakers #8Above
#JonReiss #Substack #Filmstack
#JonReissSubstack #8AboveSubstack
Beyond the Marquee: The Power of Event Theatrical
First in a two part series on the what, why and how of Event Theatrical:
Event theatrical is a term that gets thrown around a lot, especially in indie circles where everyone’s looking for a way to stand out, reach their people, and maybe—just maybe—make back their budget. But what does it actually mean? And more importantly, how can you, as a filmmaker, wield it as a powerful tool for impact, engagement, and yes, revenue?
Full post on 8 Above’s Substack.
#Substack #EventTheatrical #IndieFilm #FilmDistribution #Filmmakers #8Above #JonReiss #Substack #Filmstack #JonReissSubstack #8AboveSubstack
