Oscar-winning producer Juan de Dios Larraín has urged the Sundance Film Festival to adopt a distribution model similar to that of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF). Speaking on Monday during KVIFF's Industry Days, Larraín emphasized the need for festivals to support independent films in reaching audiences.
Distribution Challenges in Independent Film
During a panel discussion, Larraín highlighted the growing concerns among festival organizers about the diminishing distribution opportunities for films showcased at Sundance. "I know that the people behind Sundance are very worried about what’s going on, because the movies that go to Sundance are getting less and less distribution opportunities," Larraín stated. He believes that festivals have a responsibility to ensure the films they promote find their way to audiences.
Larraín pointed to the success of KVIFF's streaming platform, KVIFF.TV, as a model for how festivals can evolve. He questioned whether Sundance is responsible for the future of the films it features, suggesting that it must become more proactive in its distribution efforts. "Can they do better? Yes. How? I don’t know," he remarked.
Pijama: A Solution for Undistributed Films
In addition to advocating for changes at Sundance, Larraín discussed the launch of his own distribution platform, Pijama, which aims to connect independent films with their audiences. "The fact that your movie doesn’t find distribution doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have an audience," he explained. He believes every film has potential viewers, whether it's 10 or 10,000.
