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Neil Chase

Film Festivals, Distributors, and the Mindset Shift Theatres Need

Published 1 day ago • 2 min read

Hi Reader,

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the future of movie theatres - and why it feels like we’re at a tipping point.

Because here’s the uncomfortable truth:

If theatres are going to survive (and if indie films are going to have a real shot), a mindset shift has to happen.

Not just from audiences. Not just from filmmakers. But from the people who act as the first big filter in the system - film festivals and distributors.

The festival-to-theatre pipeline (and why it matters)

For most independent films - especially ones without stars or huge budgets - festivals aren’t just a fun victory lap. They’re often the main path forward, often through a process that looks like this:

  • Finish the film
  • Submit to festivals
  • Premiere and build buzz
  • Hope the right programmers, press, and distributors see it
  • Get picked up for release

Festivals are the storefront window. And the people selecting films become the first major gate. So when the gate changes… the entire pipeline changes.

The problem: “gatekeeper taste” is replacing “audience taste”

A growing number of filmmakers feel like selection today is less about audience appeal and more about meeting a certain “approved” vibe.

Not every festival is like this - I want to be clear - but the trend is hard to ignore.

At the indie level, it can start to feel like films are rewarded for some mix of:

  • identity-driven politicking
  • being wacky/weird for the sake of it
  • being “subversive” without actually being strong storytelling
  • overt messaging that matters more than character and plot

And here’s the issue:

A festival program can start to feel like it’s made for insiders - not for the people who actually buy tickets.

When that happens, theatres don’t win. Filmmakers don’t win. Audiences don’t win.

Only the gate stays closed.

Why this hits indie genre films the hardest

This is where it really hurts.

Low-budget genre films - action, thriller, horror, sci-fi - are often the most audience-friendly films on the indie level. They’re built for:

  • word of mouth
  • fandom
  • repeat viewing
  • packed theatres

But if a genre film is character-driven, has traditional heroes, clear moral stakes, or just wants to be a crowd-pleaser… it can get treated like it’s “too normal”.

And that’s wild. Because “normal” is often what audiences pay for.

The trust issue: transparency

There’s also a basic ethical problem that’s hard to ignore:

Filmmakers pay entry fees to be judged.

So the bare minimum expectation should be: the film gets watched.

If filmmakers can’t even tell whether their film was viewed to completion, trust breaks - and the whole ecosystem becomes a paywall instead of a platform.

I made a full video on this

I go much deeper into all of this in my latest YouTube video, including five specific ways festivals and distributors can shift toward a healthier ecosystem - one that supports theatres, rewards great storytelling, and gives indie films a real shot.

🎥 Watch the full video here: Gatekeepers vs Audiences: Here's What Needs to Change​

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Want help positioning your script or film for the real world?

If you’re a writer, filmmaker, or producer trying to make a project that connects with real audiences (and doesn’t get lost in the noise), I can help.

✅ Screenplay Coverage (professional feedback + next steps): Click here!​

✅ One-Hour Coaching Call (story, structure, pacing, strategy): Book Your Session today!​

If you’re serious about getting your script to the next level - or figuring out how to make it more marketable without losing your voice - let’s talk.

Until next time, stay creative!

Neil

video preview​

P.S. Check out my feature film, Spin the Wheel - out now on Tubi!

Click here to watch for FREE: https://tubitv.com/movies/100030151/spin-the-wheel​

Learn more about storytelling, screenwriting, and filmmaking:​ www.neilchasefilm.com.

Looking for in-depth help with your script, story or film? Check out my one-on-one coaching services here.

Check out my Gothic horror-western novel, Iron Dogs, available in eBook, print, and audiobook.

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Neil Chase

Filmmaker, Writer and Story Consultant

Neil Chase is a story and writing coach, award-winning screenwriter, actor, and author of the horror-western novel, Iron Dogs. Neil believes that all writers have the potential to create great work. His passion is helping writers find their voice and develop their skills so that they can create stories that are both entertaining and meaningful. If you’re ready to take your writing to the next level, join the email list for writing tips and inspiration!

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