Window to the world for filmmakers
Independent film-makers are being given the chance to broadcast themselves, thanks to a newly launched platform created by a North East business.
Northern Bear Films, a Sunderland Software Centre based film production and distribution company, has launched Modyst Film Network, a platform where audiences can access free, independent films and where producers can share their work and make money in the process.
The new platform, www. modyst.com, which is currently in beta testing, is designed to deliver a better experience to film-makers, who often make very little money from sharing their work.
Modyst was the brainchild of Northern Bear Films founders Aman Sharma and Jerome Vyland, who as well as being film-makers themselves, have worked on a number of projects that have shown them first-hand the challenges that film-makers face to share and monetise their work.
Aman, who set up Northern Bear Films in 2012, said: “As well as having a real passion for film-making, Northern Bear is also actively involved in a number of film festivals, that have allowed us to engage with film-makers and really understand the support they need to get their work out there and seen.
“We wanted to create a platform that would provide film-makers with the space and opportunity to broadcast their work and to be able to gain financially from that, as well as a space that works equally well for audiences who want to discover independent cinema, rather than simply watching mainstream movies or programmes.”
Designed to be a global, collaborative environment, where film-makers can distribute and evaluate their films, the site has already attracted film-makers from around the world, with 150 films now available for viewing and more than 400 subscribers in a matter of days.
The team hope to rapidly grow the reach of the platform, and are in the process of bidding for investment that will allow them to scale up quickly.
They have also made it to the semi-finals of an international accelerator program, which could help them to quickly grow the business.
Jerome, co-founder of the company, who has built the Modyst site from scratch, said: “People are increasingly looking for an alternative to mainstream media and cinematography, and Modyst can provide them with that, as well as being a platform that meets the needs of filmmakers.
“We know that 70 per cent of films made in this country never make it to general release, so there is a huge opportunity to enable that to happen and both consumers and film-makers will benefit.”
Users can watch content on Modyst for free, or pay a subscription fee to access exclusive content.
Films currently on site include award-winning films Lifeline and The Firefly Girls, Simon Cade’s documentary How Nature Documentaries are Fake, and comedy Let’s Not Panic.
Jerome added: “We are already working on additional features that can be added to site to enhance it further. We have really high hopes for it.”
Irene Lucas CBE, chief executive of Sunderland City Council, who organise the Sunderland Shorts Film Festival, which provided inspiration for the platform, said: “It’s fantastic to see a business take its skills and expertise and use them to create innovative new concepts.
“We are thrilled that Sunderland Shorts Film Festival has proven to the impetus for Aman and Jerome’s new business idea, and wish them the very best of luck as they grow their platform.”
Aman and Jerome are hoping to take Modyst worldwide, and have been in discussions with both the Danish and Polish Film Institutes.
They plan to attend numerous film festivals both in the UK and abroad including the Copenhagen International Film Festival, reaching out to film-makers and film fans all over the world.
Billy Webber, chief operating officer at Sunderland Software City, which aims to help businesses stimulate growth through technology, said: “This is a tremendous concept and one that will deliver an enhanced offer for filmmakers and consumers.
“Aman and Jerome have taken their passion for film to create a successful business, Northern Bear films. Modyst takes this passion to the next level and we are sure it will do incredibly well thanks to their growing network.”