One of the most anticipated documentaries that was scheduled to screen at this year’s now-canceled SXSW Film Festival is Alex Winter’s “Zappa.” The documentary took more than half a decade to produce and was the filmmaker’s latest to play the festival circuit before landing a traditional theatrical release. However, in light of recent events, with SXSW and other festivals being canceled due to COVID-19, Winter found it necessary to pull his films from the events so that he could prevent “Zappa” from being streamed before the time was right.
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In a new interview with Variety, the filmmaker explained why he pulled his film from upcoming festivals, as the events look to showcase their selections on streaming platforms. For SXSW, this initiative came after a deal with Amazon Prime Video, who agreed to showcase a selection of films for free on its streaming service.
Winter explained that his decision to forbid SXSW and CPH:DOX to showcase his film on a streaming service is due to the fact that finding paid distribution is of the utmost concern, considering he had to secure independent financing for this film.
“We had to stand down because we’re in the middle of sales discussions, and we can’t have the film leak,” said Winter. “Our main concern was sales. Being online with these festivals would be the equivalent of a streaming distribution deal.”
The filmmaker also discussed how playing at festivals doesn’t just help find distribution, but it also provides test audiences for his works, since the screenings can help dictate what changes need to be made, if they are required. Overall, Winter sees the release of festival films directly online as a proposition with more negatives than potential positives.
“As an artist, you’re releasing more and more power, the more people see the film without you being paid,” he added. ” My concern is that artists will lose more moral rights and the ability to fight and protect and monetize their work.”
We’ve seen arguments from both sides with some filmmakers also happy to have their films showcased on streaming. However, for Winter and others, it’s clear that there’s a lot more at stake than just getting a film out to the public. As we begin to see more and more festivals cancel in the wake of the global pandemic, it’ll be interesting to see how these streaming initiatives affect certain films.
But for now, “Zappa” won’t be hitting a streaming platform anytime soon.