Doc (and Art-Film) Blocking: How Algorithmic Content Moderation Is Hurting Indie Films

Writer Anthony Kaufman reports that independent filmmakers and small distribution companies are facing challenges in marketing their films on digital platforms like Amazon, Apple, and Meta. With industry accounts, Kaufman details how content restrictions and algorithmic filtering by these platforms have led to the rejection of trailers and promotional materials for films, impacting engagement and limiting the reach of these independent productions. The restrictions apply not only to explicit content but also extend to any suggestion of sexual content or nudity, even in non-sexual contexts. Filmmakers and marketers face a cumbersome appeals process, and the lack of human representatives makes it difficult to resolve issues promptly. Pointing to the potential double standards and arbitrary nature of these content policies, Kaufman describes an increasingly restrictive environment for independent filmmakers, particularly those with smaller budgets and edgier content.