The Circuit

Slamdance has become the latest fest to take their event online, partnering with Indieroad.net to stream their 2009 fest films hours after they preem in Park City, Utah. 

For films opting in to the program, hi and low resolution streams will be available on Indieroad for $9.00.  Of that, filmmakers will get $3 while Slamdance and Indieroad will split the rest. 

"It's a way of empowering the filmmaker at a time when many are still dependent on a broken distribution system," said Slamdance topper Peter Baxter. "This way, we are making these films available to everyone and taking our festival worldwide."

Baxter said the 2 hour delay between preem and stream is their way of prioritizing the theatrical experience.  Sales agents prefer buyers watch an available title on the big screen with a receptive audience.

Indieroad creative director Vince Di Pierro said films will only be available during the fest, adding "Because it's a stream and not a download we'll have the ability to pull the film immediately if a distributor wants to buy it."

Launched this year, Indieroad specializes in streaming festival films, charging between 80 cents and 2 dollars, depending on run-time.

The Hamptons Int'l Film Festival announced a similar collaboration with SnagFilms last week.  Sundance has also moved online with Apple, offering some of their short film slate on iTunes and sharing the proceeds with the filmmaker.

The 15th annual Slamdance Film Festival will unspool January 15-23, 2009, in Park City, Utah.   Films will stream on www.indieroad.net/slamdance.