CRISIS/OPPORTUNITY: Four New Innovative Distributors
Register for this month's webinar co-presented with Filmmaker Magazine.
In conjunction with our upcoming feature in Filmmaker Magazine—out later this month and in —8 Above and editor-in-chief Scott Macaulay have profiled four boundary-pushing new distribution companies. These teams are redefining how independent films reach audiences and sustain impact. Now, we’re bringing the conversation to a live webinar, where you’ll hear directly from the founders.
We’ll explore what new business models these distributors are using to engage audiences and gain revenue, how are they different and how are they similar to past models, what innovations they are exploring and much more.
📅 Wednesday, June 25 | 11am PT / 2pm ET
Presented by 8 Above + Filmmaker Magazine
👉 Register to attend.
💡 Who You'll Hear From:
Willa is a mission-driven initiative built from the lessons of self-distribution. Launched by producer Elizabeth Woodward following her experience with You Resemble Me and Another Body, Willa is developing a hybrid model of philanthropic and investor capital to support issue-driven films with the infrastructure they need to reach real audiences—and make real impact.
Watermelon is the latest chapter in a multigenerational legacy of independent film distribution. Founded by brothers Badie and Hamza Ali, it continues the work of their father and uncle, Waleed and Malik Ali, who launched MPI Media Group in 1976 after spending their early years in Palestine. In response to the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, Watermelon was created to use film as a tool for cultural resistance—centering stories from Palestine and other communities too often erased from mainstream media.
Cartuna x Dweck was born out of frustration with traditional deals that left bold, director-driven films sidelined. Formed by a trio that includes a veteran producer, director, and the founder of an animation studio, the company is leveraging its creative and financial acumen to back distinctive work—and do so on filmmaker-friendly terms.
Muscle takes a radically focused approach, spotlighting repertory, trans, and queer cinema through a mix of scholarly insight and underground flair. Founded by a film historian and former AGFA team member, Muscle represents a deep commitment to preservation, representation, and recontextualization of marginalized voices in cinema history.
🎤 What We’ll Cover
How each company approaches curation, audience building, and community engagement
What makes these new distribution models unique—and replicable
How filmmakers can find the right fit for their work in a shifting ecosystem
Whether you’re prepping for a release, scouting new partners, or just invested in the future of indie film—this is a conversation not to miss.