When over 2000 filmmakers were sending in their submission fees and all that was happening was their checks were being cashed and they’re paying for the 100 films that do have stars in them, I realized the only way to develop a true independent film festival is to give independent filmmakers a chance to actually show their work—not just give them a rejection letter.”
Alson then experienced the difficulties of distribution when he traveled to various film markets to sell his film and realized that distributors didn’t want to pay independent filmmakers for their work. Alson said, “This made no sense to me when the distributors kept the money they sold the film for and told filmmakers it was under ‘expenses’. I then created my own distribution company that actually pays filmmakers.” As a result of that experience, Alson formed the festival’s distribution