Interviews

Distributor FAQ: Udy Epstein of Seventh Art Releasing

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Seventh Art Releasing is a distributor and sales company founded in 1994 by Jonathan Cordish and Udy Epstein. The company is known for distributing award-winning documentaries and fiction films, many dealing with Jewish culture, lesbian and gay issues, human rights, music, and popular culture. Exactly a decade since their last interview with The Independent, co-founder… Read more »

Distributor FAQ: Vanessa Domico of Outcast Films

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Vanessa Domico was tired of seeing too few LGBT films, so she drew on her expertise as a film distributor and founded Outcast Films. Outcast Films focuses on politically-charged issues like gay marriage and meth addiction, to intimate explorations of sexual identity and self-acceptance. Since its founding in November 2004 and public launch the following… Read more »

Making the Decision to Re-Release

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In 1981, filmmakers Carolyn Strachan and Alessandro Cavadini received acclaim for Two Laws/Kanymardra Yuwa, a documentary about the struggle for Aboriginal groups from the Northern Territory to live within both their own and Australian law. Screenings in Australia, including at the Sydney Opera house and throughout Europe, eventually brought Strachan to the United States for… Read more »

Distribution by Wal-Mart

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Jeremy Dean found a dusty VHS tape tucked away in the basement of a historical society and was captivated by its the black and white footage of the civil rights struggle. “As I sat alone watching Dr. King speaking to a packed church and the demonstrators fearlessly marching for freedom, it became a key that… Read more »

Distributor FAQ: Talking to Oli Harbottle of Dogwoof Pictures

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Already a successful London-based distribution company, Dogwoof has launched its own DVD store, an independent distribution site called Dogwoof Indie (which allows filmmakers to keep all rights to their film), and Dogwoof TV, a platform that brings independent movies from the web to the television (in conjunction with blinkx BBTV). Oli Harbottle, the release coordinator… Read more »

Living with a Mutation

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It’s hard enough being a single woman dating in your early thirties. But, imagine having to tell the person you’re dating that you carry the gene mutation for cancer, and will eventually need to remove your ovaries and possibly breasts. Now, imagine having to tell that person you’re delaying the process because you’re waiting to… Read more »

Quest for Truth

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Rory Kennedy didn’t always know she wanted to be a filmmaker, but she did see herself as a political activist. As the daughter of former U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, politics run strong in her blood. In wanting to make an impact on people’s lives, she gravitated towards film as a means of educating herself… Read more »