Amazon.com’s subsidiary Internet Movie Database (IMDB) is acquiring Withoutabox for an undisclosed sum.
Los Angeles-based Withoutabox provides stakeholders in the independent film arena a suite of online tools that address film festival submission, rights tracking and exchange, multi-platform self-distribution, direct-to-audience marketing (including ticket sales) and a range of complementary services.
For independent filmmakers, Withoutabox offers an integrated service for submitting films to festivals worldwide and promoting these films directly to fans everywhere.
Withoutabox’s proprietary and flagship service International Film Submission System lets its 150,000 members connect to over 3,000 film festivals worldwide. Filmmakers can also submit their work to 700 festivals online. Withoutabox also provides film festival organizers tools to manage and promote film festivals online.
“For eight years, Withoutabox has enabled filmmakers and festivals to reach the widest audience possible,” said Withoutabox CEO David Straus. “Now, they will be able to connect directly with the 50 million film lovers who visit IMDB each month.”
International Film Submission System debuted in January 2000 and was co-founded by David Straus and Joe Neulight. Withoutabox’ integrated community site “Audience” brings together filmmakers, film festivals, film industry and audiences and creates an economic marketplace as well as a social one.
Audience’s capabilities include blogging, ratings and reviews, video and picture galleries, friends and favorites, topical discussion, festival scheduling, film calendaring, ticketing and retail purchasing. Audience’s white-label technology is designed to power the independent web sites of filmmakers, film festivals and film organizations.
‘Our mission has always been to provide film lovers around the world with the most comprehensive movie, TV, and celebrity related information,’ said IMDB VP Colin Bryar. ‘Working with Withoutabox, we can offer our viewers even more great film-related content.’