Resources: Public Television, Government-Funded, and Non-Profit Distribution Innovations
The Non-Studio Industrial Complex Distribution's Innovations, Pt. 5
Moving right along here in our effort to inspire you to improve our cinema ecosystem. We have already plowed through the initial four categories of NonSIC distribution innovations (that’s non-Studio Industrial Innovations for those of you who don’t know my ways).
When you examine this massive list (or even just a part) you really see how the film community — outside of Hollywood — has never settled for the way things are. Filmmakers and filmlovers are committed to make the world a better place. I know you want to do the same. So please readreadread.
We’ve got eleven entries today for you to ponder and wonder about. Let’s go!
Part 5 of The People’s History Of Innovation In Film Distribution:
Public Television, Government-Funded, Non-Profit Distribution Innovations
National Film Board of Canada (NFB), Canada (1939) / Streaming innovation in 2009) — Founded by John Grierson (first commissioner).
The NFB has long served as a globally influential model for state-backed cinema, particularly in the realms of documentary and Indigenous storytelling. In 2009, it launched NFB.ca, the world’s first full-scale national cinema streaming platform, offering thousands of films for free. NFB had already pioneered direct cinema in the 1960s, and continued to develop interactive and animated documentary forms into the 21st century. The NFB remains one of the most significant publicly funded film agencies in history, with distribution innovations spanning theatrical, educational, online, and broadcast ecosystems.This 2005 Oscar winning film is brought to us by the NFB btw and is one of my favorites. Just saying. If you haven’t seen it, fix that now.
