Filmotech.com – An exemplary film platform serving the best interests of filmmakers

We already informed readers back in March of plans being hatched by the Spanish copyright organization EGEDA to set up a digital film platform. In the meantime this platform, called Filmotech, has gone online and is being continually expanded. For example, short films have now been added to the online film library.

The aim of the Filmotech platform is to make high-quality Spanish films in all genres and formats available to the public via the Internet for the standard low market fee. Driving the initiative to create an Internet film library are past experiences with peer-to-peer music networks in which copyrighted music titles are shared free of charge. In order to prevent the same kind of piracy from happening in the film arena, the Spanish film rights management association EGEDA has opted for a pro-active strategy. The association itself now offers the films for viewing or downloading on the Internet – the difference being that the filmmakers retain the rights to their work and receive a portion of the revenues realized.

This approach could well set a worthwhile precedent for other countries. Great interest has already been shown by the Directorate-General Information Society and Media of the European Commission. Film distribution projects representing the interests of filmmakers and producers are likewise keeping a close watch on developments in Spain: in Germany, for example, the Onlinefilm AG , a project with close ties to the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dokumentarfilm (AG DOK – documentary film consortium).

In an interview on the topic of Video on Demand, the CEO of the Onlinefilm AG commented: »I am pleased to observe the recent turn of events, because I believe that this is the right way to go. We wouldn’t need the Onlinefilm AG anymore in its present form if a right holders’ society were to take charge. But all too often these societies are tied to the classic distribution channels and therefore not interested in pursuing this strategy.«

The situation in Spain is different. Here, the EGEDA rights management association is standing up for the interests of filmmakers and producers. And the position of filmmakers is a weak one not only vis-?-vis commercial platforms and the new IPTV portals; in Web 2.0 filesharing platforms as well, they almost always end up empty-handed. Under present-day conditions, filmmakers not only lose control of the distribution and playback quality of their films, but are even in most cases last in line to profit from their own work. On the Filmotech platform, EGEDA is now offering producers a fair contract in keeping with copyright law that provides for a 65% share of net take.

Since March 2007, EGEDA has signed contracts to distribute more than 250 Spanish films on filmotech.com. This includes box-office hits such as 'Los otros (The Others)', 'Mortadelo y Filemón (Mortadelo & Filemon)', 'Abre los ojos (Open your Eyes)' und 'Lucía y el sexo (Sex and Lucia)', as well as independent, seldom-seen productions and film classics. Besides 50 or so recent short films (as of the end of August), rare older works such as Pedro Almodóvar’s 'Salomé' (1977) are also featured in the film library.

Each film is presented with a synopsis, cast and crew credits and a trailer or series of stills. Both the film’s authors and visitors to the platform can post comments on the films.

Filmotech.com offers the private user three different download options for fees ranging from 1 to about 6 euros: The '3x3' model provides for the film to be viewed three times over three months; '7D' allows unlimited viewing over seven days; and with 'DTO' the user acquires unlimited download-to-own rights for private use.

Foreign rights have been clarified for more than 150 films, so the film platform can also be used in many countries outside Spain. In addition, the site regularly offers selected films for free streaming by anyone. This includes in particular a changing array of short films in the 'Rincón del corto' (Short Film Corner) section.

Still in planning are additional services geared toward the industry. An exclusive channel is to be provided where professionals can advertise their repertoire, offer film rights for sale, or search for programming material.

For the short film sector especially, vulnerable as it is to the current free-for-all on the Internet and economically too weak to defend its own rights, a non-commercial platform for the online distribution of films represents a huge step forward.

(rww)

filmotech.com
EGEDA (Entidad de Gestión de Derechos de los Productores Audiovisuales)