World First Multi-Platform Release Brings the Big Boys Knocking
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday December 1 2014
World First Multi-Platform Release Brings the Big Boys Knocking for an Independent NZ/Australian Feature Film
An innovative response to digital piracy has seen global giants Apple search out a group of New Zealand and Australian
independent filmmakers, ahead of the release of their film SUNDAY, on December 7.
A joint NZ/Australian production, the film’s multi-platform distribution plan is a world first that will see it being
released simultaneously across 20+ Cinemas in NZ, Television (Rialto Channel), the Internet (iTunes/Vimeo), DVD,
Airlines (Jetstar + Air NZ) and via Tugg – a bespoke cinema service available throughout North America. It was this
completely new, never done before approach that first attracted the attention of one of the biggest distribution
platforms on the planet who quickly made enquiries and contacted the filmmakers.
“Apple Australasia contacted us excited about our release strategy, and wanting to help us with marketing and selling
the film on iTunes in New Zealand, Australia, and potentially beyond. Now we are working with (film distribution
company) Madman Australia on the international iTunes release. The fact they came to us is a huge deal – that’s very
rare for a completely self-funded independent film like ours” says Michelle Joy Lloyd, Director, Producer and
Distributor of SUNDAY.
A new way of distribution was always at the very heart of the filmmakers’ plans for SUNDAY. Digital piracy is a very real threat for every film, but the stakes are always higher for independent productions
where the margins are much lower to begin with. Deciding to distribute the film themselves under the banner, Fighting Noise, filmmakers Dustin Clare and Michelle Joy Lloyd decided it was time to bring something new to the piracy debate.
“Usually (film) access is restricted to cinema before slowly being released onto the other platforms. (The film
industry) likes to complain about piracy, but instead of joining in, we wanted to contribute to the conversation, not
necessarily with the answer but with a response. Maybe if we let people watch what they want, when they want, on
whatever platform they want, at a fair and reasonable price, then maybe they’ll actually pay for it.
I don’t think that’s going to stop everyone illegally downloading films; some people are just going to pirate because
they want free content. But there is a group, they’re kind of guilty pirates. They generally want to watch content,
especially independent art-house films, and they just can’t get their hands on it. With a multi-platform release like
ours, they can. “
Filmed mainly in Christchurch a year after the February 2011 earthquakes, SUNDAY stars Dustin Clare (Spartacus, McLeod’s Daughters, Underbelly) Camille Keenan (Satisfaction, 30 Days of Night,
Underbelly: Squizzy) and Steve Wrigley (7 Days).
Help Sunday support White Ribbon Christchurch.
$1 from every ticket sold to the following screenings will be donated to
White Ribbon Christchurch & the Canterbury Family Violence Collaboration.
Tickets to the Advanced Screening – Christchurch – Saturday December 6
Tickets to the World Premiere – Auckland – Sunday December 7