Editor

8,724 films were submitted to Sundance this year and only 240 got in. Where do the others go? FROM HERE TO AWESOME is a discovery and distribution festival created to celebrate the exciting possibilities of DIY distribution.

"Less and less films are getting traditional distribution deals. Form Here to Awesome is an attempt to answer some of the largest issues facing filmmakers today - discovery, distribution and sustainability by putting the power to distribute in the hands of the filmmakers and their audiences." says filmmaker and co-founder Lance Weiler

HOW IT WORKS
Filmmakers are invited to create a submission video explaining why they think their film is awesome. Then promotional partners including MySpace, YouTube and Current TV will help direct audiences to the submission videos. The submission videos explain a number of ways the audience can help the film spread the word. For example audiences can click a button that says, "this film seems awesome" and then films rise the ranks towards the top 10 list.

Here's what filmmakers have been submitting so far
http://fromheretoawesome.com/abelraisescain/

In April the top 10 features and top 10 shorts will be showcased in participating venues (theaters, living rooms, online and via portable devices) around the world with revenue going directly into the filmmakers pocket. It is important to note that filmmakers will retain their own rights. During this time filmmakers will also sell DVDs and downloads to their fan base they've built.

"With Four Eyed Monsters we delivered our film directly to audiences. After doing this people made videos all over the world in reaction to our film and we knew that we had landed our message with a massive number of people. With over a million views we then secured a deal to release the film on TV & DVD. So we got to have our cake connecting with audiences and eat it too - by then using that momentum to make deals." says filmmaker and co-founder Arin Crumley

Prizes include a variety of distribution and promotional goods and services. A trip to Paris for the launch of the festival at the Eiffel Tower to one short filmmakers and one feature filmmaker provided by WONDERLAND. And certain audience winners will receive seed production funds toward future projects. More prizes and partners to be announced in the coming weeks.
http://fromheretoawesome.com