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Withoutabox

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Withoutabox
Type of site
Film
Available inEnglish
OwnerIMDb, Amazon.com
Created byDavid Straus, Joe Neulight
URLwww.withoutabox.com

Withoutabox is a website founded in January 2000 by David Straus, Joe Neulight and Charles Neulight which allows independent filmmakers to self-distribute their films. The first product launched was the International Film Festival Submission system. Withoutabox works with film festivals and filmmakers all over the world. In January 2008, Withoutabox was acquired by IMDb, a division of Amazon.com.[2][3]

The Withoutabox website offers filmmakers a platform to search over 3000 film festivals on five continents and to submit their films to over 850 film festivals world wide including festivals such as Sundance and the Toronto International Film Festival.[4][5]

Festivals can request submissions via the web and manage incoming submissions electronically, instead of the traditional route of sending in screener DVDs via mail. This allows festivals to market their event to over 400,000 active filmmakers already on the Withoutabox platform, accept submission fees from them electronically, and automatically notify filmmakers for acceptance into their event. Other services includes: streaming on the Internet via IMDb, and selling DVDs and video-on-demand downloads on Amazon.com via CreateSpace.[6][7]

Controversy

Withoutabox has attracted criticism in the years following its takeover in 2008 by IMDB, owned in turn by Amazon. Some filmmakers and festivals alike have accused the company of excessive charges, uncompetitive practices, outdated technology and the usual claims of aggressive litigation leveled at Amazon.[8] But the majority admit it is still boosting their numbers and streamlining the submission process, while voicing concerns about its business practices - in particular the exclusivity requirement for the service (potentially establishing a form of monopoly), which was removed late 2012 following media attention.

Partners (partial list)

References

  1. ^ "Withoutabox.com Site Info". Alexa Internet. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
  2. ^ Bizjournals.com
  3. ^ Independent Magazine
  4. ^ Indiewire.com
  5. ^ Allbusiness.com
  6. ^ Indiewire.com
  7. ^ Indiewire.com
  8. ^ 10th Nov, 2008 (2008-11-10). "With or Withoutabox - Independent, November 2008". http://www.independent-magazine.org/. Retrieved 2008-11-10. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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