Award-Winning Ballast To Be Self-Distributed
posted by The Joe
The state of American independent film is currently in a rapid downward spiral due to low-budget market oversaturation and an uncaring studio system. A consequence of this are the actions of director Lance Hammer, who just dropped out of a deal with IFC films concerning his film Ballast, which won the directing and cinematography awards at this year’s Sundance.
“IFC is a really good company,” Hammer told indieWIRE. “The problem is the larger issue that’s plaguing every filmmaker right now: The distributors don’t really offer any money. That’s not that big of a deal if they would allow you to have control of your project, but they don’t.”
Apparently, the contract also included giving up internet rights for twenty years and having an exclusive deal with Blockbuster. Hammer will instead spend money raised from the film’s initial investors to pay for prints and advertising and roll it out himself, starting in New York, and will be looking into nontraditional theatrical venues, such as film societies, museums and universities.
Best of luck, Mr. Hammer. Between this and Charlie Kaufman and Steven Soderbergh’s new films yet to be picked up for distribution, it’s obvious that something within the system has to change.
Meet the Filmmaker: Lance Hammer