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Recorded live at Sundance, this episode features a wide-ranging roundtable on the current state of independent film exhibition. Host GG Hawkins speaks with festival programmers, exhibitors, and platform founders about what’s broken in the exhibition ecosystem, what’s actually working better than people realize, and how community-driven models—from art houses to new distribution tools—are reshaping how films are discovered, shown, and sustained beyond the festival circuit.
In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests discuss…
Why art house cinemas and film festivals remain vital community hubs
The realities of audience-building beyond “market festivals” and multiplexes
How filmmakers can rethink distribution, touring, and self-exhibition
New tools and platforms helping filmmakers navigate submissions and discovery
The rise of alternative distribution models, including physical media reimagined
Why shorts, community producers, and collaboration matter more than ever
How filmmakers and exhibitors can work together more effectively
What a sustainable film community could look like in 2026
Memorable Quotes:
“Art house cinemas and independent exhibitors and film festivals are thriving because they build community.”
“Making movies is like having a baby… then you’ve got to raise it.”
“There is such an opportunity on both sides for filmmakers and exhibitors to learn how to work together.”
“Independent film is rooted in community and curation.”
Guests:
Ash Cook – Programmer, Sundance Film Festival; Festival Director, San Francisco Jewish Film Festival; Founder & CEO, Video.Storage
Tony Gapastone – Founder & Executive Director, Bravemaker
Lela Meadow-Conner – Interim Executive Director, Art House Convergence; Co-founder, The Popcorn List
Tyler Knohl – Co-founder, Hiike; Assistant Director, Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival
Brynne Norquist – Co-founder & CEO, Hiike
Aidan Dick – COO, Video.Storage; Programmer, Frameline Film Festival
Resources:
Bravemaker – https://bravemaker.org
Art House Convergence – https://arthouseconvergence.org
The Popcorn List – https://thepopcornlist.com
Hiike – https://hiike.com/
Video.Storage – https://www.videostoreage.com
Frameline Film Festival – https://www.frameline.org
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📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com
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