Embedded Files
Submit Your Short!
Like a dating service where SINGLE THEATERS meet HOT & AVAILABLE SHORT FILMS
The odds have always been stacked against short filmmakers being able to see their work on the big screen, let alone make any money. Until now!
Some of the best films we've ever seen are shorts and It's about time they got the love (and revenue) they deserve. Let's look at just a few facts:
Over 10,000 short films are produced each year.
99.999% of short films DO NOT make any money.
Only 13% of film submissions to the 12,000+ annual film festivals are accepted. Oftentimes, amazing films are excluded simply because of programming slot limitations.
Shorts on the Road is finally a way to truly celebrate this art form while creating revenue for both talented filmmakers and independent theaters. Some might say we flipped the script (pun intended) on the traditional distribution model to play matchmaker. But wait, there's a...
...plot twist!
It's actually a ♥️LOVE TRIANGLE♥️ with FILM FESTIVALS
No other organizations give more love and support to short films and the people who make them than film festivals. Without them, we would rarely see some of the most amazing cinematic stories being created year after year.
Some of our team have had films in festivals like New York Shorts, Midwest Film Festival, Indy Film Fest, and even had the honor of walking the red carpet at the renowned Catalina Island Film Festival.
We have also been programming judges for festivals where we've had to eliminate short films that deserve to be shown, but couldn't be included because of time constraints. Heartbreaking! Especially since – as filmmakers ourselves – we know the passion it takes to make these films.
See the "How Does It Work" section below for how we're partnering with film festivals to find even more amazing shorts to bring on the road.
A COMPANY CREATED BY FILMMAKERS FOR FILMMAKERS & THEATERS
It's time we move beyond only seeing short films as only passion projects, proof-of-concept career stepping stones, and/or simply "calling cards" for filmmakers. Since shorts are as equally a viable art form as features, the question we asked ourselves was:
How do we get these short films on big screens while creating revenue for passionate filmmakers AND independent theaters?
how does it work?
Because of our team's collective experience as business professionals, writers, producers, and filmmakers, our approach is to have this process be a win for everyone involved. For example, theaters must typically pay up-front fees to screen films PLUS pay a percentage of ticket sales to the distributor. This often puts unnecessary pressure and stress on these small businesses, hinders cashflow, and directly impacts overall profitability.
The same philosophy applies to some film distributors. In many cases, the filmmaker must pay upfront distributor and marketing fees, PLUS share backend revenue with the distributor. This structure greatly reduces the profit for many filmmakers.
Why should theaters and filmmakers have to pay up front AND make less money overall? Shouldn't we all be in this together? Yes, we should.
THEATERS
With the steady decrease in film options for independent theaters and the rise in popularity of short films, this no-risk option is an ideal solution for increased traffic while providing quality programming for your audiences:
50% of Gross Ticket Sales
No Up-Front Costs or Additional Fees
Curated Recurring Programs
National Audience Voting to Build Community
Integration with Existing Transaction Platforms
FILMMAKERS
With our non-exclusive partnership approach, whether your film is available online for free, on a streaming platform, or hasn't seen the light of day for twenty years, we want to consider it to include in a theatrical film block. Put money in your pocket and show your film where it's meant to be seen... on big screens across the country:
30% of Gross Ticket Sales
Zero Up-Front Costs & No Hidden Fees
Retain Full Rights to Your Film
Continue to Stream Your Film Anywhere
SOTR Film Festival Qualifying
FESTIVALS
FREE submissions for your film festival's official selections and award-winning shorts. This zero-cost added perk for your festival will help increase submissions and allows your selected filmmakers to have an opportunity to earn real revenue for their amazing short films after their festival run.
Increased Submissions
Expand Festival Credibility
Enhance Filmmakers' Success
More Festival Brand Exposure
Unique Waiver Codes Created for Your Festival
watch shortS. eat popcorn. vote!
Audiences across the country get to vote for the films they love at every Shorts on the Road screening. These votes help decide which films will be included in our annual Shorts on the Road Film Festival where filmmakers have a chance to win awards and cash prizes.
independent THEATERS
Since one of our founders Zach owns the 100-year-old Vickers Theatre in SW Michigan, we understand that the need to build community is as important as quality programming for independent theaters.
Zach also finds that the Oscar-Nominated Shorts and Manhattan Shorts programs are amongst The Vicker's most well-attended events every year. He is also consistently asked by guests about how the theater can have more shorts programs, including how to participate in voting on their favorite shorts.
Now add to all of this the steady decline in film options for independent theaters as larger studios invest more in larger, tentpole films while producing noticeably less films overall.
With zero up-front cost for our independent theater partners, our recurring short film block programs are an ideal, no-risk option for quality entertainment, increased revenue, and ongoing audience engagement as they vote for their favorites.
short FILMMAKERS
As filmmakers and producers ourselves, we have been very fortunate to have films screened at domestic and international festivals where we have also seen countless shorts that deserve widespread theatrical exposure. In fact, some of the most powerful theater experiences we have are watching short film blocks with engaged, live audiences at festivals. We also believe these talented filmmakers should be financially compensated for their hard work and creativity.
Our team also has great appreciation for dedicated short film streaming channels (like Omeleto and Shorts of the Week) that have, for years, celebrated countless short films that deserve to be seen on the big screen by thousands of people.
And out of respect for these and other channels... do we really need another streaming service?
With this business model, as we continue to onboard additional theaters, your film could have more than just one run. This allows for recurring revenue along with continued exposure for you as a filmmaker.
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