FC Lunchtime Webinar: DIY Distribution & The Power of Collective Wisdom

Distribution is changing. Learn what today’s filmmakers can take from New Day Films’ DIY roots in this webinar on self-distribution.

In 1971, four feminist filmmakers frustrated by mainstream distribution channels decided to do-it-themselves. Forming a collective, they began selling 16 mm prints directly to women’s groups, schools, and libraries — essentially by passing the mainstream system by creating their own — highlighting the power of collaboration and direct audience engagement. New Day Films is now a cooperative of over 140 filmmakers, but the educational market we’ve been relying on is no longer viable as it once was.

In 2025, filmmakers are being told that we need to become self-distributors all over again. So what does this mean? What can we learn from the spirit of these early pioneers, and what collective wisdom can we lean on now? Jesse is a long-time member of New Day Films and has had a very successful educational run with her series BODY TYPED: Perfection in 3 Parts. She has just finished a new 30 min doc and has been taking a deep dive into the current climate & resources of self-distribution. She’ll present a short overview of New Day Films, some current resources — and facilitate a conversation about creative ways we filmmakers can come together to support each other now.

Jesse Ericka Epstein is a Sundance Award-Winning documentary filmmaker. She received a Masters Degree in Documentary Filmmaking from NYU, and was named one of “25 filmmakers to watch” by Filmmaker Magazine. Her films have screened in over 40 film festivals worldwide, at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), MaSS MoCA, The Peabody Museum, and Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam. Jesse’s film 34x25x36 received a national PBS Broadcast on POV. Her film WET DREAMS AND FALSE IMAGES received a short subject Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival, and her film THE GUARANTEE won best short film at the Newport International Film Festival. Her compilation of these films, BODY TYPED: Perfection in 3 Parts, has been distributed to over 150 Colleges and Universities through the filmmaker owned & operated coop New Day Films.