Doc Distro Lit Review: Strategy

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.
Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global logos
Reports of discussions centered on a possible merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global reveal considerations of potential strategy behind such a move.
Photograph of a person leaning on bicycle handlebars
Journalist Anthony Kaufman provides case studies and insights into various films from the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, shedding light on the festival's notable occurrences and trends in the industry.
Image of a person's hands
An account from the 2023 Camden International Film Festival (CIFF), featuring discussions of documentaries "Beyond Utopia," "A Golden Life," and "The Last Year of Darkness," alongside a discussion of the film industry's contradictions.
Photograph of two children with blonde hair
Writer Addie Morfoot describes the 2024 Oscar documentary shortlist race, with fewer streamer-backed films opening up possibilities for filmmakers utilizing smaller awards campaign budgets.
Photograph of a person standing in front of a screen filled with organization logos
At Color Congress's National Convening, Karin Chien from Distribution Advocates, presents plans to address the documentary distribution crisis, by fostering collaboration for a more equitable filmmaking ecosystem.
Illustration of picket sign behind glass that says "In Case of ON STRIKE! Break Glass"
Variety co-editor-in-chief Cynthia Littleton discusses how the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike exposed the flaws in the industry's bargaining system, and proposes the need for a process to integrate streaming-era economic structures into contracts, as well as for ongoing communication between labor and management.
Photograph of four people behind the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers logo
Writer Matt Grobar reports that more than 2,300 film and TV producers have signed a petition for the removal of the "P" from the AMPTP acronym for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, and conveys the opinions of several producers who aim to draw attention to the position of producers in a changing industry.
Photograph of a person wearing black clothing
Writer David Canfield profiles Christine Vachon, a producer renowned for her collaborations with Todd Haynes and her advocacy for new voices, detailing her journey from the New York indie scene to her current projects, including 'Past Lives,' and reflecting on her experiences as a queer female producer amidst an evolving industry and potential Oscar recognition.
Illustration of a mouse cursor on a television screen
Writer Sara Fischer reports that major streaming companies, including Netflix, Paramount+, Warner Bros. Discovery's Max, Comcast's Peacock, Disney, and TelevisaUnivision's ViX, have formed the Streaming Innovation Alliance (SIA), led by former policymakers, to advocate for industry interests in the face of evolving regulations.