Vimeo starting next month will offer online rentals of a baker’s dozen of films that premiered at last fall’s 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.
Under the deals, Vimeo is giving each of the 13 filmmakers $10,000 up front. In return, Vimeo has an exclusive window for digital distribution — either 30 days or until Vimeo recoups the $10,000. After that, the website will provide its standard 90/10 revenue split, with 90% going to the content owners. Filmmakers have the option able to pursue traditional distribution vehicles as well as other online platforms after the exclusivity window.
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The 13 movies cover a range of topics, from filmmakers around the globe. The pics are: “Asphalt Watches,” directed by Shayne Ehman and Seth Scriver; “Cinemanovels,” directed by Terry Miles; “Empire of Dirt,” directed by Peter Stebbings; “Faroeste Caboclo (Brazilian Western),” directed by René Sampaio; “Gente en Sitios,” directed by Juan Cavestany; “Ladder to Damascus,” directed by Mohamad Malas; “Little Feet,” directed by Alexandre Rockwell; “Palestine Stereo,” directed by Rashid Masharawi; “Standing Aside Watching,” directed by Yorgos Servetas; “The Animal Project, directed by Ingrid Veninger; “This is Sanlitun,” directed by Robert I. Douglas; “Une Jeune Fille (A Journey),” directed by Catherine Martin; and “Wild Duck, directed by Yannis Sakaridis.
The films will become available between now and May 2014, starting with “Little Feet,” which is currently available for pre-order on Vimeo and is skedded to launch March 21. Viewers will be able to access the films by purchasing them directly from Vimeo On Demand or from the embedded player wherever the trailer is distributed.
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“The breadth of subjects and number of countries represented by these accomplished filmmakers shows just how powerful the direct distribution movement is becoming worldwide,” Vimeo CEO Kerry Trainor said.
Vimeo On Demand, launched in March 2013, now offers more than 5,000 films. Earlier this month the company — a wholly owned division of Barry Diller’s IAC — introduced in-player VOD transaction support, which lets any Pro subscribers sell content on their own sites or across the web.
