Doc Distro Lit Review: Box Office

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Slate Senior Editor and Writer Sam Adams discusses the controversy surrounding the 2024 Oscar nominations for Best Documentary, citing disgruntlement from some industry insiders over the lack of American nominees.
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Founder, CEO, and Editor in Chief of TheWrap, Sharon Waxman reports on perceptions of the faltering independent film business model at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. *Please note: This article is behind a paywall.
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Considered the largest US documentary film festival, DOC NYC offers filmmakers opportunities for exposure and networking, though industry insiders offer mixed sentiments, conveying concerns over the festival's breadth and money-making initiatives.
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A Hollywood Reporter editor assesses streamers' profitability from the recent earnings season, highlighting the positions of Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Disney.
Image with the message "2023 A Look Back" and the logos of Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Netflix, Hulu, AppleTV+, and Prime Video
In 2023, streaming platforms prioritized profitability, introduced advertising, and formed unique partnerships, facing challenges in content buzz, user interface, and pricing adjustments.
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Evaluating the landscape of the documentary field in 2023, Anthony Kaufman reports on the types of stories that are gaining prominence and filmmakers' attitudes toward a seemingly contracting industry.
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Writer Corey Atad describes the increased interest in repertory programming at independent theaters in Toronto.
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Writers Jonathan Mahler, James B. Stewart, and Benjamin Mullin detail David Zaslav's impact as CEO of Warner Brothers Discovery, including his strategies to cut costs following the merger and controversial decisions in programming and focusing funds.
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Writer Matt Stoller argues that streaming giants and industry consolidation are steering Hollywood toward limited content and unfair working conditions, leading to tense negotiations and solidarity over union strikes.
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Independent film veterans Naomi McDougall Jones and Liz Manashil analyzed the revenue information from 104 independent films, revealing profitability trends in films released since 2018, and finding that low-budget films with extremely famous, or unknown actors, opting for self-distribution have a higher chance of financial success.
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Journalists Mia Galuppo and Katie Kilkenny explore the transformation of the nonfiction space into a lucrative industry with streaming platforms, featuring insights from filmmakers like Alex Gibney and Ken Burns on rising costs, ethical challenges, and the evolving nature of their profession.
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Writer Will Tavlin chronicles the transition from celluloid filmmaking and exhibition to digital, highlighting the proposed benefits and the eventual pitfalls—offering a critical exploration of the difficulties in safeguarding cultural records in this digital era.