The launch of our Ambassadors Programme encapsulates our aim of democratising cinema and bringing our films to audiences nationwide. Backed by the UKFC, we want to empower individuals to set up screenings in their towns and villages and areas where local cinemas don’t cater for all tastes. We feel audiences around the country should have the same opportunity of experiencing new films on release, no matter where they are and this programme is designed to do exactly that.
Alex Stolz, Senior Executive Distribution and Exhibition UK Film Council says:
“Since 2003 the UK Film Council has, through its Prints & Advertising Fund, helped independent films reach their audience across the UK . Our support for Dogwoof’s innovative release strategy for Restrepo marks an exciting development for independent film distribution. By establishing the ‘Ambassador Screenings’ programme, Dogwoof are ensuring that the film reaches its audience even in rural areas where access to cinema can be limited”
The programme involves identifying a network of individuals in UK regions, who will organise screenings of the film in the first week of release. Ambassadors are encouraged to be entrepreneurial, with no constraints on where the screenings can take place and are invited to use their knowledge of the local community to tailor events around the screenings. With the initial screenings taking place simultaneously, Ambassadors and their audiences are then encouraged to share experiences online, allowing for a community to be established for future releases.
Anna Godas, CEO Dogwoof says:
“The aim of our Ambassadors programme is to empower people to take a more active role in the distribution of films. Traditional cinemas cannot service demand everywhere, and so we want people to have access to our films while the buzz is greatest, not months down the line. Because of their social nature, Dogwoof films lend themselves to community events which are driven by truly passionate people.
There is potential for everyone to benefit at all levels: the public gets to see films very early on, awareness is raised, and the Ambassadors have exclusivity in their local areas and can do really well out of these events if they bring an entrepreneurial mind to it.”
The launch film for the programme is the Sundance Award winning documentary Restrepo, a documentary that chronicles the deployment of a platoon of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley. Considered one of the most dangerous postings in the U.S. military, the film contains astonishing footage from the frontline and has already garnered a host of awards and universal critical praise.
You can read more about the launch of the programme and find out about Restrepo and how you can become an ambassador by visiting restrepo.dogwoof.com
Restrepo Ambassador screenings will premiere on 14th October in selected locations and between 1st-7th November across the country.
Follow Dogwoof Ambassadors on twitter: @dogwoof_ambs