IndieGoGo Launches New Online Social Marketplace Connecting Filmmakers and Fans to Make Independent Film Happen

IndieGoGo Launches New Online Social Marketplace Connecting Filmmakers and Fans to Make Independent Film Happen

Site to Feature Projects by Noted Filmmakers Including Sundance 2008 Directors Irena Salina (FLOW: FOR LOVE OF WATER) and Yung Chang (UP THE YANGTZE) and Projects by Christopher Roberts (THE BELIEVER), M dot Strange (WE ARE THE STRANGE), Lance Weiler (THE LAST BROADCAST, HEAD TRAUMA), Michealene Cristini Risley (TAPESTRIES OF HOPE), and Beth Murphy (BEYOND BELIEF)

BERKELEY, Calif., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- IndieGoGo announced today the official launch of IndieGoGo.com, an online social marketplace connecting filmmakers and fans to make independent film happen. The platform provides filmmakers the tools for project funding, recruiting, and promotion, while enabling the audience to discover and connect directly with filmmakers and the causes they support.

Founded on the principles of opportunity, transparency, choice, and action, IndieGoGo addresses the fundraising challenges and market inefficiencies affecting independent filmmaking today. IndieGoGo enables this "filmocracy" by providing filmmakers an open platform to pitch their projects to the world, and gives the fans a vehicle to experience and influence the once inaccessible world of filmmaking.

"DIY has been long the mantra of independent filmmaking and financing. At IndieGoGo, we push that to the next level with DIWO, "Do It With Others" which more accurately reflects the active communal process required to launch film projects", said Slava Rubin, IndieGoGo Founder and Chief of Strategy and Marketing. "Using the tools IndieGoGo offers, we aim to empower artists to realize their goals and bring more relevant films to the people. Online fundraising is accelerating, the cost of production is falling, social networking is approaching mainstream, and user-controlled media is the future. As these trends accelerate, IndieGoGo offers a new marketplace to turn ideas into film, and fans into insiders."

At IndieGoGo, filmmakers have new resources to build and engage a loyal fan base to assist in making their projects happen. Filmmakers can raise money and awareness, find cast and crew, and gain credibility through the help of their number one resource: their fans.

Fans get the opportunity to discover and impact the films of tomorrow while getting insider access and VIP perks for their contributions. But beyond the VIP perks, fans get an everyday opportunity to support the people, films, or causes they believe in.

IndieGoGo was co-founded by Slava Rubin, Danae Ringelmann, and Eric Schell. They come from the diverse backgrounds of marketing strategy to entertainment finance to software development. Their common thread is a passion for independent film and a commitment to building community around projects and action, while developing meaningful partnerships to benefit the broader filmmaking community.

IndieGoGo advisors include Withoutabox CEO David Straus; Revver founder Steven Starr; and former CFO of Match.com, Steve Gertz. Partners range from independent director DIY gurus Lance Weiler and M dot Strange to key organizations within the independent filmmaking community.

In its pre-launch phase, IndieGoGo sought developmental feedback from a wide range of filmmakers and industry leaders. FLOW: FOR LOVE OF WATER, directed by Irena Salina and produced by Steven Starr, was selected by IndieGoGo to be its first Showcase project and was subsequently selected to World Premiere in competition at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Other noted filmmakers planning to include projects on the site include Christopher Roberts (THE BELIEVER), Lance Weiler (THE LAST BROADCAST, HEAD TRAUMA), Michael Roiff (WAITRESS, AMERICAN SON), M dot Strange (WE ARE THE STRANGE), Michealene Cristini Risley (TAPESTRIES OF HOPE), Brett Gaylor (BASEMENT TAPES), Beth Murphy (BEYOND BELIEF), Mary-Jane Robinson (Mr. UNTOUCHABLE), and Yung Chang (UP THE YANGTZE) which is also featured in the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

"Sundance is the pinnacle for supporting independent filmmakers. The Institute's work discovering and developing independent artists for the past 26 years, while encouraging the use of new technologies for the advancement of film has impacted every filmmaker and film fan alike," said Danae Ringelmann, Founder and Chief Financial Officer. "Having Sundance filmmakers, both past and present, as part of our launch roster of projects speaks to the exciting films that will emerge from the site."

Slava Rubin will represent IndieGoGo on the GOING IT ALONE: DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION FOR INDIE FILMMAKERS panel at the Sundance Film Festival on Wednesday, January 23, 12:30 pm at the New Frontier on Main Microcinema.

For full details on the functionality of the site go to indiegogo.com. For media interested in interviewing IndieGoGo founders Slava Rubin or Danae Ringelmann, contact Catherine Richter at CRichter@webermerritt.com or 609.605.5611.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: IndieGoGo

CONTACT: Catherine Richter, +1-609-605-5611, Crichter@webermerritt.com,
for IndieGoGo

Web Site:

http://www.indiegogo.com/

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