Big Sonia: A Case Study
A Masterclass in long-tail distribution, community impact and sustained audience engagement, Slamdance showcases filmmakers with disability, Death & Taxes is coming to NY, and Distribution Lab update
What does it look like to sustain a film release over nearly a decade? To turn a personal story into a national teaching tool, movement-builder, and revenue-generating ecosystem?
Join us on July 9th for a deep-dive webinar case study on BIG SONIA, a documentary that redefined what’s possible with grassroots impact and long-tail distribution.
We’ll be joined by director/producer/impact strategist Leah Warshawski, who has stewarded BIG SONIA through 75+ festivals, hundreds of community screenings, an educational rollout in classrooms across the U.S., and a 3-year PBS broadcast.
📅 Wednesday, July 9th | 11am PT / 2pm ET
🎟️ The event is free to attend
What we’ll unpack:
How to design a release with staying power—and keep revenue and impact flowing years after the premiere.
How BIG SONIA turned a local KC theatrical run into a $130K+ success using in-person Q&As, merch, and community love.
The anatomy of a long-tail strategy: from festival premieres to educational licensing, airline placement, and legacy partnerships.
Why community screenings and curriculum packages continue to drive engagement—and income—long after VOD fizzled.
How Leah’s latest project is extending BIG SONIA's impact into classrooms with AI-powered educational tools.
This session is part of our 8 Above Case Study Series, where we break down real-world release campaigns that prioritize transparency, purpose, and sustainability. It’s not just about what BIG SONIA did right—it’s about how you can apply those lessons to your own film’s release strategy.
If you're:
🎬 Developing your impact campaign
💡 Looking to create a long-tail distribution roadmap
📈 Trying to turn festival buzz into long-term results
🛠️ Seeking tangible tactics you can implement immediately
…this one’s for you.
Save the Date: Death & Taxes Opens at the IFC NYC on July 17th
We’ve all heard the old saying, “Only two things in life are certain: death and taxes.” But in this probing, intimate, and politically charged documentary from Justin Schein and Robert Edwards, the two collide with tragicomic precision. Death & Taxes doesn’t just examine America’s estate tax; it begins an uncomfortable dialogue about wealth, legacy, ideology, and the price of chasing immortality through money. Film Threat
Save the date: I’ll be posting about this very timely film (see the wrecking ball being deliberated in Congress) as we get closer to the release, but we are very excited to be handling the theatrical release of Death & Taxes, opening July 17 at the IFC Center before moving onto Los Angeles on July 25th at Laemmle’s Royal and then the rest of the country. Filmed over two decades, this powerful documentary by Justin Schein explores the American Dream, inherited wealth, and inequality—told through the deeply personal lens of a father and son divided over legacy and the estate tax. Blending intimate family moments with insights from national experts, Death & Taxes asks a vital question: What kind of inheritance are we leaving for future generations? If you want to know when the film will be playing in your city - sign up on the website.
Slamdance’s Unstoppable Tour Showcases Films by Filmmakers with Disabilities
More about this soon as well - I wrote about how film festivals should get more involved in the long term distribution of films they showcase and Slamdance has been a pioneer in this effort - first with their Slamdance SVOD channel and now this summer, Slamdance Unstoppable: On The Road is bringing its groundbreaking showcase of films by disabled filmmakers to audiences across the U.S. programmed entirely by artists with visible and non-visible disabilities. The tour champions authentic storytelling and expands representation in independent film. Upcoming stops include:
Seattle’s SIFF Cinemas (July 6)
Chicago’s Music Box Theatre (July 8),
Milwaukee Film (July 19–20)
Manhattan’s JCC (July 29), and
O-Cinema in Miami (August 1–3).
Each venue offers a unique lineup, full accessibility, and in-person filmmaker Q&As—delivering a powerful and inclusive cinematic experience. Don’t miss this celebration of bold voices, creative resistance, and disability-forward films.
8 Above Distribution Lab Next Cohort
Yesterday, we finished the third Cohort of the Distribution Lab - (2 sections: 8 Docs and 8 features!) Wonderful films and filmmakers well on their way!
Cohort 4 of the 8 Above Distribution Lab will kick off this Fall 2025. Designed for independent filmmakers ready to take control of their distribution journey, the lab offers practical strategies, expert mentorship, and a supportive community to help you build lasting impact for your film.
Curious if it’s right for you and your film team? We’re currently hosting info sessions — sign up below.