How Indie Distributors Have Thrived in Unlikely Places Like Drive-Ins

”The audience has never been more vibrant or hungry for our type of content,“ Jonathan Saba of Saban Films tells TheWrap

While the pandemic left major studios scrambling to reschedule entire film slates, a handful of indie distributors have found playtime on drive-in screens normally reserved for blockbuster films.

IFC Films, Saban Films and RLJE Entertainment have thrived during the pandemic. IFC, for example, monetized the release of “The Rental” by offering drive-in screenings, as well as video on demand (VOD), which resulted in $420,871 in box office over its opening weekend, while also becoming the top-rented film on Apple TV and iTunes. It became the second film to ever top VOD charts and the box office in the same weekend, joining “Trolls World Tour.”

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Jeremy Fuster

Box Office Reporter • jeremy.fuster@thewrap.com • Twitter: @jeremyfuster

Beatrice Verhoeven, PWS

Beatrice Verhoeven

Film Editor, Twitter: @bverhoev