Sovereign City Entertainment has announced the online video on demand (VOD) release of their award-winning movie, Between Friends.
A release from the producers said the film is truly breaking down barriers. It is receiving keen interest from as far as South Africa and the producers were recently invited place the film on an Italian platform, which will allow the film to further penetrate Italian and European markets.
"What the VOD release has afforded us is 'visibility.' The film can now be seen anywhere and is now tangible, so we have been able to attract interest from other distribution channels such as cable and free-to-air television."
The film's writer, producer and director, M Omari Jackson says "it's a proud moment for T&T and for Caribbean cinema in general. New technology has allows us far easier access to international markets, and it is clear that quality content is becoming more and more accepted."
Between Friends was released at Movietowne, Port-of-Spain last October and has screened at various venues across Trinidad. Despite this, many locals have yet to see the movie. Jackson says this was due to a lack of marketing support.
"Marketing is one of the most critical factors in a film's success," Jackson said.
"Despite the international acclaim and acceptance of the film, our
penetration in all markets is severely restricted primarily due to this lack of marketing support.
"We have the technology and are developing the knowhow. I am doing what I can to establish a rapport with the diaspora with Between Friends, which will be key in securing financing and other support for future productions. Regardless, you can create the best product on the market, but if the market doesn't know you exist, then all efforts are in vain."
In the release, Jackson applauded the T&T Film festival for their initiative, which gives an outlet to local productions.
"It is great to see people of T&T supporting local and other independent films, it shows a maturing of the populace."
It does not however, establish an industry, which will require appropriate access to this and other markets outside of the Film festival circuit. "Producers submit work to festivals to get noticed with the hopes of further distribution down the line in order to recoup production costs, repay investors and pay ourselves. Festivals are the springboard, but we need to dive into the water in order to make a splash," said Jackson.
Between Friends will be screened in T&T on October 16, for further information visit the Facebook page: Between-Friends-The-movie. The film can also be seen on various platforms, for access, visit the site betweenfriendsmovie.com.