One never knows where a conversation on a free shuttle bus in Park City can lead to. Coincidentally, it would be the second occurrence where this type of purposeful chatter would turn into concrete plans. Back at Sundance in 2019, I began discussions with Jordan Raup from The Film Stage rethinking how we could better serve our own readership base and further accomplish what we furiously and feverishly already do here at IONCINEMA.com: promote cinema that matters. Today’s strategic alliance announcement is not only a culmination of our work but it displays and adheres to a philosophical approach to what is the DNA of all the partnering sites. Here is the full press release:
Top outlets championing independent and international cinema announce strategic alliance with new network, launching today
NEW YORK, NY (August 31, 2022) – Indie Film Site Network (IFSN), a collaboration between well-respected media outlets covering the most essential developments in independent and international cinema, has officially launched today. IFSN, which represents The Film Stage, Hammer to Nail, IONCINEMA.com, RogerEbert.com, and Screen Anarchy, was created with a mission to support film criticism and foster an ever-growing community of indie film lovers.
Through reviews, interviews, podcasts, news, special features, and extensive coverage from film festivals across the world to theatrical, digital, and home video releases, IFSN has a combined reach of over 7 million visitors per month. With a dedicated audience through each site as well as their respective social media channels, IFSN offers premium partnership opportunities for distributors and filmmakers, with affordable packages that connect with the core of the independent film community. With this cooperation, each media outlet retains its editorial independence, and readers get a more favorable ad experience, highlighting films they will love through a curated approach in partnering with distributors. Following the launch, the network plans expansion into hosted screenings to directly connect their readership to exceptional cinema.
The IFSN team is comprised of Founders Jordan Raup, Editor and Co-Founder of The Film Stage; Eric Lavallée, Editor and Founder of IONCINEMA.com; and Director of Sales Matt Delman, Founder and Principal of the digital marketing agency 3rd Impression and an editor at Hammer to Nail.
“In the evolving landscape of filmmaking and film criticism, the very definition of “independent” is shifting and it is our mission to work with sites and distributors that still retain that singular focus on the best in cinema,” said Raup. “With Indie Film Site Network, we’re delighted to offer a destination for distributors and filmmakers where they know they will truly be reaching the most passionate fans of independent movies.”
“Roger was an advocate of independent voices both in filmmaking and in film criticism. It brings me great joy to continue this legacy daily on RogerEbert.com and support other outlets helping to carry on this independent spirit,” said Chaz Ebert, CEO of Ebert Digital LLC and cofounder of Ebertfest.
As part of an initial phase, IFSN has already partnered with top distributors on successful campaigns for Oscar nominees (The Tragedy of Macbeth), acclaimed foreign cinema (Neptune Frost, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, Hit the Road, Great Freedom, In Front of Your Face, Martin Eden), celebrated documentaries (Free Chol Soo Lee, The Mole Agent, Boys State, Feels Good Man), and indie hits (Shiva Baby, Dinner In America, Possessor).
For more information, visit indiefilmsitenetwork.com and follow IFSN on Twitter and Instagram. For sales and partnership inquiries, contact sales@3rdimpression.com.
In celebration of the launch of IFSN, we’re also giving out Blu-rays from The Criterion Collection, Kino Lorber, Warner Archive, and more. To enter, fill out our survey and winners will be contacted on a rolling basis. Prizes ship to U.S. only, but anyone is welcome to fill out the survey.
About The Film Stage
Since 2008, The Film Stage is your spotlight on cinema, fostering a community of readers seeking the best in independent and international cinema with extensive film festival coverage, reviews, features, interviews, and podcasts, as well as the most essential, up-to-date news and trailers.
About Hammer to Nail
Since 2008, Hammer to Nail’s mission has been to connect readers to the most ambitious viewing on the planet. With an eclectic mix of writers from directors to festival programmers, past contributors include the likes of David Lowery, Alex Ross Perry, Lena Dunham, and Robert Greene.
About IONCINEMA.com
Since 2000, IONCINEMA.com has been featuring daily news, reviews and interviews in American indie, world cinema, documentary film, and film festivals. Our motto: We heart subtitles!
About RogerEbert.com
The world’s preeminent destination for movie criticism, commentary and community. Since the passing of the site’s co-founder and namesake, Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic Roger Ebert, in 2013, it has been run by his wife, Chaz Ebert, who continues to bring not only current reviews of films from major studios, but comprehensive coverage of reviews from independent and documentary filmmakers.
About Screen Anarchy
Screen Anarchy is the online world’s leading source for international, independent, cult, arthouse and genre film news, reviews, and discussion. With a focus on international festival coverage and a roster of writers spanning the world, they cast a truly global eye on the emerging talents and trends of the film world.
