October 23, 2008 | by Peter Knegt | 3 Comments

Gigantic Releasing Moves Indie Film Distribution Into New Era

A scene from David Kaplan's "Year of the Fish." Image courtesy of Gigantic Releasing.

With the launch of Gigantic Digital, New York-based film company Gigantic Releasing are offering audiences the chance to see first-run independent movie releases anywhere in the United States. The website will enable anyone with a broadband connection to access Gigantic's first-run feature films in markets where there is no theatrical distribution. Releases will go up day-and-date with theatrical openings in major markets. The features presented will come from Gigantic Releasing's slate of acquisitions, in addition to partnerships with independent filmmakers.

The online price for each film is $2.99 for unlimited 3-day access. The site will also offer free content from Gigantic's existing library of narrative and documentary short content. In addition, the site encourages filmmakers to submit their own films for consideration.

"We are going for the best movie experience one can have online," said Gigantic Releasing president Mark Lipsky in a statement. "The picture quality is far superior to most other streaming sites today, the ticket price is utterly affordable, and there will be absolutely no advertising to get in the way of the film-going experience. Gigantic is introducing a sweeping change to the way movies are distributed, and this is just the first step."

According to Lipsky, the new site will also present an important opportunity for filmmakers. "Unlike other emerging sites, we are not simply ad salesmen aggregating content nor are we repurposing old content," he said. "We're an actual film distribution company doing what distributors have always done. We seek out and acquire titles that we believe will be viable in the marketplace, we work tirelessly to market and promote those films and now, by enabling first-run national access, we will be dramatically expanding the market as well as reinvigorating the existing audience for independent fare."

Available on Gigantic Digital now are David Kaplan's "Year of the Fish" and Wayne Price's "The Doorman."

3 Comments

| Reply
zulla | May 6, 2009Reply

Releases will go up day-and-date with theatrical openings in major markets. The features presented will come from Gigantic Releasing’s slate of acquisitions, in addition to partnerships with independent filmmakers.
zulla | May 6, 2009Reply

Releases will go up day-and-date with theatrical openings in major markets. The features presented will come from Gigantic Releasing’s slate of acquisitions, in addition to partnerships with independent filmmakers.
tolo87 | April 25, 2009Reply

The online price for each film is $2.99 for unlimited 3-day access. The site will also offer free content from Gigantic’s existing library of narrative and documentary short content. In addition, the site encourages filmmakers to submit their own films for consideration. I think that this price is kinda great. Mike