1. The document outlines a commitment among documentary filmmakers to make feature-length documentaries intended for theatrical release to paying audiences in movie theaters, rather than for TV, computers, or phones. 2. It proposes that too many documentaries intended for TV have been released in theaters, hurting attendance. Moviegoers question paying $10 to see something they could see for free on TV. 3. The document proposes forming a loose cooperative of documentary filmmakers dedicated to nationwide theatrical distribution and building a large audience for documentaries through various distribution models.

1. Indies Take Over the World
Meeting Points;
1. A commitment amongst ourselves to make THEATRICAL documentaries -- real
movies, features, that are meant to be seen by a paying audience in a movie
theater. These are not movies that are intended for viewing primarily on a
TV or a computer or a cell phone (although many of us proudly made
nonfiction video intended for these devices). Rather, we are here to commit
ourselves to making compelling, thrilling, exciting and provocative feature
films that tell stories that keep audiences in awe or on the edge of their
seats, films that are hilarious, romantic, thought-provoking, tragic -- but
most of all, movies that transport the audience to places they haven't been
before. In other words, we make theatrical movies with the same intentions
of any enlightened Hollywood movie, big or small, that has a deep respect
for the audience's intelligence. The only difference is that our stories are
nonfiction, and they are best experienced on 40-foot screen with 300
strangers together in the dark.
2. We believe that one of the reasons for the downturn in theatrical
nonfiction attendance is that too many of us have submitted our "TV"
documentaries to be shown in movie theaters across the country, causing an
unnecessary glut of such films that are better served by the small screen.
Too many people in the public have recently asked themselves while attending
a documentary in a theater, "Why am I paying $10 for something I could have
seen on TV for free?" That ends up hurting everybody.
3. We hereby agree to form a loose-knit cooperative of theatrical
documentary filmmakers dedicated to distributing our films in theaters
nationwide and building an audience of millions for this genre of cinema
that is unlike any other form of entertainment available today.
4. We agree that our films will be distributed in one of the following ways:
A. The Traditional Way: A Hollywood or independent distributor makes a deal
with us to distribute our film nationwide through their standard
distribution system. Our new co-op will provide support primarily through
grassroots organization and marketing.
B. Self-Distribution: The filmmaker distributes her or his film to theaters
around the country using a model our co-op will create to assist the
filmmaker in this endeavor.
C. "Mike's Movie Night": Each Monday night across America, Michael Moore

2. invites 100,000 of his fans, plus thousands of other fellow citizens and
movielovers, to watch one of the best documentaries of the year on the big
screen at their local cinema. A short intro from Michael will kick off the
night, followed by a great doc short, a trailer or two for upcoming docs,
the feature itself, closing with a live Skyped-in Q and A with the film's
director and/or producer. Each film will play one night. Due to its
popularity, it may screen twice that night, be held over for a second week,
or end up playing a run at any particular theater. The filmmaker will
receive 50% of the box office. The film will be delivered the traditional
way, through a 35mm print or a high definition video tape/disc, OR it may be
beamed in via satellite much like the Metropolitan Opera, or via the method
that a company like Emerging Pictures uses.
(Participating in "Mike's Movie Night" does NOT preclude the filmmaker from
also doing their own self-distribution or releasing their film through a
distributor.)
5. One of the most important things this cooperative can do is to provide
serious, local, on the ground support for each of our films in order to put
lots of butts in seats. These documentaries simply can't just be shipped to
a projection booth, while we sit back and expect an audience to show up. It
won't happen. The American public is overworked and underpaid, and they
don't have the time or the money to waste going to the movie theater to
watch something that feels like medicine or a lecture. If they want a sermon
or religion, they go to church. If they want to hear a political speech,
they go to a rally or join a local green group. If they want a lecture, they
sign up for night school. IF THEY WANT TO BE ENTERTAINED, THEY GO TO
THE
MOVIES. Any doc filmmaker who shuns the idea of making an "entertaining
movie" has no right asking hard-working and mostly broke people for 10
hard-earned dollars (plus gas, dinner and a babysitter) plus 2-3 hours of
precious free time on a Friday or Saturday night after an exhausting week.
6. I will consider forming a non-profit distribution company -- if it makes
sense and it's the only way to enact some of the above. (By non-profit, I
mean no profit for me. 100% to the filmmakers.)
7. I am also open to having my name used in any way to help promote these
films to my fan base and to the general public (such as "Michael Moore
Presents" or any other means). I've got a few million names on my email
list, 700,000 Twitter followers, over a quarter million very close "friends"
on Facebook, and a certain amount of good will and trust built up over the
years so that if I say, "You should see this movie," it may do some good.
I'm more than happy to share that.
8. I will also consider donating the profits from my next theatrical release

3. to help fund this cooperative effort and to set up a permanent documentary
fund to help get some of these great films made or finished.
9. I am excited to hear what ideas you've been thinking about, and we will
explore them during this meeting. If there are any you want to send me in
advance so I can incorporate them into the discussion, please send them to
me today.
See you at 5 pm Eastern! Check out below the various ways you can join the
meeting. Let me know if there is anyone else we should invite. (This is for
documentary filmmakers only.) RSVP if you have not done so already.