FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Distribution Advocates Presents: A Podcast To Discuss Equitable Independent Film Distribution

[Los Angeles, USA – January 19, 2024 – Independent filmmakers and enthusiasts have a new resource to demystify the often-complex world of film distribution. Distribution Advocates Presents, a podcast hosted by Avril Speaks, filmmaker and co-founder of Distribution Advocates, officially launches on January 31st. The trailer launched earlier this week, offering a sneak peek into the series.

Distribution Advocates is a collective advocating for filmmakers and maintaining plurality and originality. Members currently include Avril Speaks, Karin Chien, Abby Sun, Amy Hobby, and Carlos Gutierrez. Their singular goal is to collectively reclaim power for independent storytellers in the current systems of distribution and exhibition.

This podcast aims to shed light on the inner workings of independent film distribution, by addressing a crucial question: how can we understand and improve the current ecosystem to create more equitable distribution systems?

From the role of sales agents to the functions of film festivals, each episode is a journey into understanding the challenges of distribution and the potential for transformative change. Think of it less as a podcast and more as a platform to help the world of film become more transparent and fair.

Avril Speaks brings her expertise and passion to the series, engaging in deep conversations with guests like Ma Stoller, Pat Murphy, and Barbara Twist. These discussions will examine concerning practices within the industry and explore innovative, sustainable solutions.

“Distribution Advocates started this podcast because we wanted to have a conversation with our peers about the immense challenges independent filmmakers face in distribution today,” says host Avril Speaks. Our industry is changing fast, and this is an important time to re-evaluate our systems and our collective goals for puing art into the world. We’re excited to have these conversations about how we can create more equitable solutions to getting our stories seen and heard

The podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes of independent filmmaking, from seasoned professionals to aspiring filmmakers and film lovers.

For more information and to listen to the trailer, visit https://shows.acast.com/distribution-advocates-presents or subscribe to the Distribution Advocates newsleer.

About Distribution Advocates

Distribution Advocates works to collectively reclaim power for independent storytellers in the current systems of distribution and exhibition. We are a collective striving to advocate for filmmakers and maintain plurality and originality in a culture that needs it more than ever. We fight for radical transparency, rebalancing entrenched inequities and blazing a new, more interesting, accessible and inclusive way forward.

About Avril Speaks

Avril Speaks is an award-winning Producer, Director and Showrunner based in Los Angeles. She has produced several award-winning films including Jinn, Dotty & Soul, and the South African film African America, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, four African Movie Academy Awards and

streamed on Netflix. Most recently, Avril was the Showrunner for the docu-series Uprooted: The Untold Keith Warren Story, which is available on Discovery+ and was an Executive Producer for Files of the Unexplained, coming soon to Netflix. Currently, Avril is a Creative and Production Executive at Vox Media Studios. Avril was a 2020 Sundance Momentum Fellow, and a 2022 recipient of the Dear Producer Award. She is also a co-founding member of Distribution Advocates and is part of the Executive Committee for the newly formed Producer’s Union.

Contact Information:

For press inquiries regarding the podcast, please contact Shreya Sharma shreya@tinkmedia.co. For more information regarding Distribution Advocates, visit their newsleer or email distributionadvocates@gmail.com.