On-line distribution examined as we say goodbye

The closing of European Film Month, this unique Video on Demand Film Festival from Hungary-based Filmklik.hu, could be held on any day, you decide when it ends for you. This is less glamorous than a real ceremony of course, but by no means should this be the only way of filmfests, nor should it be the primary form.

It was interesting though. I'd say, another form of movie celebration. As I write this, still in Christmas time, memories come back (with help of my notes to be correct) of the Opening. Some words, some tidbits were mentioned then that have their real weight now, after a video streaming, bug hunting, marveling, shocking and pleasing month.

Producer György Durc had perhaps the most ideas about this new form of movie distribution, the controlled on-line film market. He said that the content should adapt to the medium, which content must be found out first. With more and more video on cellphones, perhaps movie haiku-s, short and condensed films could be made. He also visioned movie theatres as exclusive places, rich man's privilege in the future. I'm not sure about that, but uniqueness seems to be the future, with IMAX 3D and beyond.

Péter Bognár, the movie trade section executive of Budapest Film (The distributor behind Filmklik.hu) set the goal: to get to the rural areas nationwide (Hungary). Internationally? Right now they only think regionally -- neighbouring countries: Romania, Slovakia, Croatia. However the trend is visible: on-line distribution could be the future, whether it's VOD like Filmklik, or sending digital movie content right to the movie theatre.

This brings up an important question. What about Distributors? Do they have to count on a huge business drop? Will they be needed, or will it be a direct route from studio to consumer? The situation seems to be severe. They will need to change too, not just the content. The audience will likely dictate their new profile, which could include dubbing foreign language movies, subtitling, marketing roles, building the audience. Their future is hazy, to word it gently.

Interestingly another source confirmed this state when I visited a Real D theatre a few days ago. An insider dropped a little thought on the huge fight in the background over the digital content. Who and how will control this? Why does a studio need a distributor if you can send the movie from your HQ to the audience over the Net? Good questions.

There are more noble aspects to this medium. Movie archives. Filmklik.hu would love to transform the Hungarian movie archive to this form, where the audience and the filmmakers could access even rare gems in a few clicks. The decades-old celluloids would be revitalized in digital format, and saved from further deterioration. This thought was like a Holy Grail even for the celluloid-supporting filmmakers present at this chat. The thought was uplifting that they could access classics instantly when in need of inspiration, a camera angle, or a composition.

On-line movie distribution could stir up a lot of you-know-what, but I say bring it on! It's not that revolutionary -- like the dream that the rule of oil will be overthrown by clean energy sources -- but somehow, on a much smaller scale, this mini revolution feels similar.