Have You Seen My Film? A Kinema Podcast

We chatted with Lisa Trifone, founder and CEO of Bright Iris Film Co., about the intricacies of film marketing and publicity for independent filmmakers. 

We discuss the importance of early engagement, budgeting for marketing, and the resources available for filmmakers. Lisa shares insights on the Unmissable Film Release Initiative, the significance of specificity in audience targeting, and common myths surrounding publicity. The conversation emphasizes the need for filmmakers to set clear goals and understand the essential assets required for effective promotion.

Takeaways:
🎬 Bright Iris Film Co. offers full-service publicity and strategy for independent films.
🎬 Filmmakers should engage with marketing agencies well in advance of their release.
🎬 A good rule of thumb is to budget 20% of the production budget for marketing.
🎬 The Unmissable Film Release Initiative is a 12-week cohort program for filmmakers.
🎬 Specificity in audience targeting is crucial for successful marketing.
🎬 Filmmakers often underestimate the time needed for effective publicity.
🎬 Common myths include the belief that publicity is unaffordable or only for big films.
🎬 Every film has unique needs and goals that should be addressed individually.
🎬 Essential assets for promotion include press kits and promotional materials.
🎬 Setting clear goals is vital for a successful film release.

More on Kinema for Filmmakers here: https://bit.ly/kinemayoutube

🎙️ Hosted and co-produced by Christie Marchese
🎬 Produced and edited by Ron Passaro
💻 https://kinema.com/

Wait - there's a new way to apply to film festivals?? I needed to know more! After hearing filmmakers talk about a new, smarter way to apply to film festivals via Hiike Independendt, I DMed the founders on instagram and they kindly agreed to tell us everything. 

Join us as I interview Brynne Norquist and Tyler Knohl, co-founders of Hiike Independent, a film festival research and submission platform. They discuss the platform's unique features, including a quiz that matches filmmakers with suitable festivals, the revenue structure, and the importance of data collection for festival matching. 

The founders share their journey, the challenges they faced, and their vision for the future of independent film distribution. They also address the issue of scam festivals and the importance of connecting filmmakers with genuine opportunities.

More on Kinema for Filmmakers here: https://bit.ly/kinemayoutube

🎙️ Hosted and co-produced by Christie Marchese
🎬 Produced and edited by Ron Passaro
💻 https://kinema.com/

In this episode, host Christie Marchese, founder and CEO of Kinema, sits down with documentary filmmaker and founder of Doc Film School T.C. Johnstone for an inspiring and in-depth conversation about the power of purpose-driven storytelling.

T.C. shares insights from his filmmaking journey, including the creative and strategic decisions behind projects like Rising from Ashes. Together, they explore how filmmakers can build authentic impact campaigns, cultivate meaningful partnerships, and create work that resonates far beyond the screen.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into:
🎬 Building films around mission and measurable impact
🎬 Leveraging partnerships to extend reach and sustainability
🎬 Navigating the challenges of independent documentary filmmaking
🎬 Turning personal passion into scalable storytelling

Learn more about Doc Film School here:
https://docfilmschool.com/

More on Kinema for Filmmakers here: https://bit.ly/kinemayoutube

🎙️ Hosted and co-produced by Christie Marchese
🎬 Produced and edited by Ron Passaro
💻 https://kinema.com/

Host Christie Marchese, founder and CEO of Kinema, sits down with filmmaker and educator Keith Ochwat, founder of Show&Tell. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of independent filmmaking in 2026, discussing practical strategies for fundraising, marketing, and distribution.

Keith shares his wealth of experience, including case studies from his successful projects like 'Age of Champions,' which raised over $1.5 million through innovative partnerships. He also dives into the various programs offered by Show&Tell, including free resources, paid subscriptions, and hands-on coaching through The Circle.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into:
🎬 The importance of understanding your audience
🎬 Multi-channel marketing strategies
🎬 Real-world examples of successful fundraising and distribution
🎬 Tips for navigating the current film industry landscape

Whether you're a filmmaker, creator, or industry professional, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you connect your films with the right audiences.
Don't forget to check out the free resources available at showandtell.film and join the Kinema community for more insights and support!

More on Kinema for Filmmakers here: https://bit.ly/kinemayoutube

🎙️ Hosted and co-produced by Christie Marchese
🎬 Produced and edited by Ron Passaro
💻 https://kinema.com/

Let's dive deep into the world of crowd investing with Marc Iserlis, the head of Republic Film. 

Hear how Republic.com enables film financing by allowing filmmakers to raise capital from everyday fans, transforming them into equity investors rather than donors.

In this episode, we explore:
🎬 The difference between crowd investing and crowdfunding
🎬 The impact of the Jobs Act on investment opportunities for unaccredited investors
🎬 Successful case studies, including Robert Rodriguez and Pressman Film
🎬 How filmmakers can effectively engage their audiences and tap into existing fan bases
🎬 The potential risks and rewards of crowd investing for filmmakers and investors alike

🔗 Links:
Check out Republic Film: republic.com/film
Learn more about Marc Iserlis and his work in the film industry.
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more episodes that connect you with the latest trends in film and filmmaking!

More on Kinema for Filmmakers here: https://bit.ly/kinemayoutube

🎙️ Hosted and co-produced by Christie Marchese
🎬 Produced and edited by Ron Passaro
💻 https://kinema.com/

This episode of the Kinema podcast was recorded live at the Bridge Summit in Abu Dhabi! We were given a brief window to utilize their podcast studio, and nabbed three speakers close by to share the corner of the film and storytelling world. 

We chat attention economy with Joe Marchese, founder and chairman of Human Ventures, creators moving from short form to long form with Liv Stone, a content creator and disability advocate, and founder James Del, who introduces the Independent Media Collective, a new initiative aimed at supporting independent creators in navigating the challenges of the modern media landscape. 

Learn about the collaborative spirit that drives creativity and how the collective aims to empower artists in a rapidly changing industry.

Tune in for insights, inspiration, and a look at the future of storytelling in film and media!

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 00:12 - Joe Marchese on the attention economy
• 00:46 - Liv Stone on disability advocacy and content creation
• 00:54 - James Del on the Independent Media Collective

Follow us:

• Joe Marchese: @instajoemarchese
• Liv Stone: @livstone
• James Del: independentmediacollective.org

More on Kinema for Filmmakers here: https://bit.ly/kinemayoutube

🎙️ Hosted and co-produced by Christie Marchese
🎬 Produced and edited by Ron Passaro
💻 https://kinema.com/

We have a special treat for you! Kinema's Head of Marketing, Ami Vora, joins Christie in chatting with film legend and king of #Filmstack, Ted Hope!

Ted is a renowned filmmaker and the former co-head of Amazon Studios, and in this episode, he generously shares with us his journey in the film industry, what Filmstack is on Substack, and his vision for empowering independent filmmakers.

We covered: 

• The evolution of independent filmmaking
• The role of community in the film industry
• Strategies for audience building and engagement
• Insights into the future of film distribution

Subscribe to our channel for more episodes and insights from industry leaders!

More on Kinema for Filmmakers here: https://bit.ly/kinemayoutube

🎙️ Hosted and co-produced by Christie Marchese
🎬 Produced and edited by Ron Passaro
💻 https://kinema.com/

In this episode of Have You Seen My Film, host Christie sits down with Ray Kuglar, a Houston-based unit stills photographer with over a decade of experience on set. Ray shares his insights on the vital role of a unit stills photographer in film production, explaining how high-quality stills are essential for marketing, advertising, and selling films.

Join us as we discuss:

• What a unit stills photographer does and why they are crucial on set
• The types of content captured, including publicity stills and behind-the-scenes images
• The importance of using high-quality stills over motion camera pulls
• Budget considerations for hiring a unit stills photographer
• The evolving landscape of film marketing in the age of streaming platforms

More on Kinema for Filmmakers here: https://bit.ly/kinemayoutube

🎙️ Hosted and co-produced by Christie Marchese
🎬 Produced and edited by Ron Passaro
💻 https://kinema.com/

I love when a guest gets spicy with their hot takes! We spoke with the legendary Jeffrey Winter, co-executive director of The Film Collaborative, to get the hard truths on getting into film festivals. 

More on Kinema for Filmmakers here: https://bit.ly/kinemayoutube

🎙️ Hosted and co-produced by Christie Marchese
🎬 Produced and edited by Ron Passaro
💻 https://kinema.com/

I sat down with Gen Z filmmaker and office intern Emma Buzgo as she explained social media to this old Millennial. Emma shared insights into how Gen Z engages with film communities online, particularly on platforms like TikTok.

More on Kinema for Filmmakers here: https://bit.ly/kinemayoutube

🎙️ Hosted and co-produced by Christie Marchese
🎬 Produced and edited by Ron Passaro
💻 https://kinema.com/