CriterionCast

Fandor Beta Goes Live, As “If Sundance Ran Netflix”

Ever wanted a more indie based Netflix-style streaming outlet? Mubi just not hitting the mark for you?

Well, according to VentureBeat, Fandor may be the thing for you.

The outlet is reporting that the San Francisco based startup Fandor will now be offering their indie movie site to the public, through a beta test version of the site.

Described as ‘if Sundance ran Netflix,’ the site includes films from Wong Kar-Wai (In The Mood For Love, Chungking Express) like Fallen Angels, and director Michael Haneke such as his brilliant home invasion film Funny Games, and while Netflix may include much of this site’s catalog, there are distinct streaming films that make this a worthwhile venture.

Right now, for those interested in the site, there is a free one-month trial being offered, and a fee of only $10 per month.   Directors with content on the site include Luis Bunuel, Andrei Tarkovsky and even F.W. Murnau.

If you use the site, let us know what you think!

Source: VentureBeat


Fandor Announces Subscription Beta Release

New Streaming Service Serves Untapped Market for International and Independent Films

San Francisco, CA (October 21, 2010)’”Fandor today announced the beta release of its curated service for exceptional independent and international films on demand. With the release, Fandor brings an on-line film festival experience to subscribers all over the United States, with unlimited, on-demand access to a large library of hand-picked narrative features, documentaries and shorts.

‘People want to watch independent films, but they rarely have time to go out and find them,’ said Fandor CEO Dan Aronson. ‘Fandor lets viewers experience the thrill of discovering great films in a way that’s compatible with their lifestyle.’

Rolling out in beta, the service is open to the public for the first time, along with a one-month free trial offer for new users and a fee of ten dollars a month thereafter. The Fandor library boasts a wide array of titles, from acclaimed Hong Kong action flicks to indie comedies hot off the festival circuit to thrillers from award-winning filmmakers. Subscribers can expect a number of new features and an ever-growing film library in the time leading up to Fandor’s official launch.

Fandor fills a significant gap between heavily marketed, widely distributed films and the undifferentiated content available on video-sharing sites. The service is for the movie-lover who wants festival films without the hassle, and the expat in search of films from her home country. It is for the film connoisseur interested in a particular film or filmmaker, and the cable TV subscriber looking for a money-saving alternative. In addition to serving film audiences, Fandor aims to be a resource for filmmakers. A large part of Fandor’s revenue goes right back to filmmakers to help insure a future full of wonderful films.

‘We’re entering a renaissance for independent films, as our technology makes it easy and fun to explore thousands of fantastic movies,’ Aronson said. ‘I believe Fandor has cracked the code on how to benefit the independent film community’”by helping filmmakers and audiences connect.’

About Fandor

Fandor is a curated service for exceptional independent and international films on demand. The Fandor curatorial team searches the globe for the best in cinema and delivers it directly to viewers. Subscribers enjoy unlimited access to a growing library of narrative features, documentaries and shorts, as well as a programmed movie channel that’s always on. Extensive film articles in the Keyframe blog provide insight from established film critics, and discussion and sharing tools foster community among subscribers. Fandor is a destination for film-lovers and -makers, bringing them a world of inspired film that’s accessible any time, virtually anywhere.

Joshua Brunsting

Josh is a critic, a member of the Online Film Critics Society, a wrestling nerd, a hip-hop head, a father, a cinephile and a man looking to make his stamp on the world, one word at a time.

1 comment

  • WTF why, oh why do you not have ‘the rights’ to launch this worldwide? such a miss…
    as my latest tweet indicated fortunately, Spotify is now worldwide. And once there’s one come across the bridge, many will follow…(dutch proverb;)