IndieFlix Unveils New Indie Film Distribution Model at Cannes

CANNES, France, May 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- IndieFlix CEO Scilla Andreen
launched today an international tour to introduce new distribution models for
independent films, highlighting her company's premium packaging of Andrew
Robinson's "April Showers," based on the Columbine High School massacre in
1999.

For the film, IndieFlix has identified a core audience segment of 30 million
U.S. moviegoers and is providing them not only with the most number of ways to
view it, but also with the tools to use the movie as a platform for social
change.

The campaign is one of a series of release stages, carefully sequenced to
build audience influence.

Rather than compete headlong against Hollywood studio films in the
entertainment section of major newspapers, "April Showers" made its debut
instead as part of a national conversation on the future of learning in
America. In that context, Robinson's story as a survivor of the Columbine
shootings was covered by the broadcast and print media as a national news item
even before its initial theatrical release. As a result, Robinson quickly
became a sought-after commentator and discussion leader.

Meanwhile, IndieFlix mounted a comprehensive online distribution campaign hot
on the heels of the theatrical engagements. Working with a network of the
biggest names in online delivery, IndieFlix was able to offer "April Showers"
directly to moviegoers across all platforms.

However, the distributor's real focus was on coordinating this stage of the
release with a range of social networking strategies. This effort brought in
the highest-quality feedback from the most influential audience segments. At
this point, it became obvious that "April Showers" had connected with an
audience ready to champion the film in settings where it would have the
greatest impact, namely, in schools and with community groups.

To create a package that would redefine educational distribution, IndieFlix
teamed up with the April Showers Foundation, created by Robinson and the
film's producers, and with School Safety Partners, a Denver organization with
deep ties with school administrators and educational funding sources.
Together, they reached out to national and international experts in student
development and school safety, and were greeted with an outpouring of social
change and capacity-building resources that could be added to the school
edition of "April Showers."

This multiplied the distribution possibilities. IndieFlix is now able to offer
greater value to organizational buyers of the film, who typically pay a
premium license fee. In addition, the package has generated cause marketing
opportunities for corporate sponsors, and discussions are underway to provide
a sponsored distribution of the "April Showers" educational edition to every
school in the United States.

As Andreen oversees a state-by-state educational rollout, she expects that
this stage of distribution will lead not only to broader DVD and Blu-ray
distribution, but also to broadcast airings of the film that are treated as
must-see television events.

Her worldwide tour to discuss new distribution models to the independent film
and video community includes visits to dozens of film festivals and
appearances at financing conferences. Filmmakers interested in learning more
are encouraged to visit IndieFlix.com, which currently represents more than
2,000 titles.

SOURCE IndieFlix

John Simmons, +1-303-548-3816, johnsimmons@schoolsafetypartners.org, for
IndieFlix