"Community isn't just the audience—it is the audience. And that shift in thinking is where real change begins." – Shawn Dawes

In this episode of the Marketing and Distribution Podcast, Alex Stolz is joined by filmmaker, producer, and platform founder Shawn Dawes, the visionary behind IndieScene—a new SaaS-based platform aiming to transform the independent film ecosystem through transparency, data, and community collaboration.

With over 20 years in the creative industries—ranging from directing and development to producing and distribution—Shawn has firsthand experience of the challenges independent filmmakers face. From promising projects that collapsed at the final hurdle, to festival runs that didn't yield industry support, his journey is one many filmmakers will recognize.

Now, through IndieScene, Shawn is channeling those experiences into building infrastructure that truly supports independent film. The platform provides global databases of distributors, film festivals, cinemas, and venues—alongside real-world analytics on box office performance. The goal? To give filmmakers and small distributors the insights and access they need to make informed decisions and build sustainable careers.

In this episode, Alex and Shawn explore:

• Why most indie films fail to break through—and the structural barriers that keep it that way

• How gatekeeping, outdated distribution models, and a lack of localized data stifle great projects

• Why community-based engagement isn't just a marketing strategy, but a survival strategy

• The economics of theatrical self-distribution, and how event-based screenings can benefit both cinemas and filmmakers

• How IndieScene is gathering and aggregating real-time data to build a more accurate picture of the indie landscape

• Why the future of distribution may lie beyond traditional cinemas—into venues, cafes, community halls, and immersive experiences

• How predictive AI and blockchain might reshape how we assess market value and report box office returns

Shawn also discusses the role of film festivals—both their shortcomings and their potential to become more globally connected, collaborative, and financially sustainable year-round.

"We have to move from a transactional industry to an interactual one." — As Shawn puts it, that means not just distributing films, but building relationships, activating communities, and redefining how success is measured.