Yesterday we got into Miami and checking in our hotel.
Just before dinner we did attend a party and met a few old friends.
Later in the party we started chatting with a World Seller/Distributor.
This was a very insightful conversation that explained me again why I got into this industry.

The World Seller mentioned a few filmmaker names that unfortunately I didn't know, he express quite a surprise been the fact I am in the industry. I was very frank and explained that I can barely remember very popular names and barely watch any movies, and when I do I don't really keep track of names etc etc
For example I know my favorite movie is "Happyness" but I can never remember the name of the filmmaker or actors....He was speechless.

He asked me why I got into this industry and I did explain it was to create a flow of income and financial support for "really" independent filmmakers that don't have distributors support. Infact I NEVER met an independent filmmaker that produced a film without "distributor" financial support and after got distribution...just like to say, if is not mine, why shall I even think of distribution it?

He reflect and though of one movie that had got such distribution, and maybe a few more. I did argue that 1, 2 , even three movies don't justify the thousands of independent filmmakers to even attempt traditional distribution, and I also asked:
But those few cases of "really independent" productions do they recoup their money or just get a weekend at the Angelika and never get their money back? he gave it some thoughts and said:

"well, its not my business what they invested and what they recuperate in distribution, my business is to give is the best value for the market "

The above confirmed again the disconnect between "really independent" (no distributor money or soft money involved at pre-production stage and no negative pickup) and World Sellers and Distributors.

That is why I started Film Annex, to fill that gap, and finance those "really independent" filmmakers...regardless if i know their names or not :-)

francesco