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Microsoft teams with Amazon to bring independent films to HD DVD

2 July 2007 15:53 by Andre "DVDBack23" Yoskowitz | 3 comments

Today, Microsoft announced that they had joined with Amazon to bring up to 1000 independent titles to HD DVD.

The companies will use an Amazon company, CustomFlix to spearhead the operation which will provide the filmakers free authoring and setup services to make their movies available to be distributed in HD DVD.

The setup and authoring for HD DVD discs usually costs $499 USD but Microsoft is covering that charge by accepting the filmmakers into the program. Microsoft did say however, that there would be additional fees for required artwork that filmmakers are required to pay.

Currently, HD DVD suffers from a lack of defined studio support so this latest move is an almost effortless way to increase their catalogue.

The Sundance Channel said it would be using the program to offer its "Big Ideas for a Small Planet eco-series."

"Programs like this one from Amazon lower barriers to entry for independent artists and provide audiences with increased access to high-quality, high-definition content," Sundance Channel programming head Christian Vesper said.

Independent filmmakers can feel free to submit their work to the CustomFlix web site from which Microsoft and Amazon will select the 1000 best works for distribution. Afterwards, the discs will be sold on Amazon.com.

Source:
BetaNews

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hughjars (Inactive) 2 July 2007 16:32
Very interesting & cool idea. If only all the 'mature' parts of the arts industry were so nuturing of new & emerging talent. We might (for a change) end up with some genuinely complex, adult, interesting & thought-provoking movies instead of the 99% of instantly forgetable formulaic and mind-numbingly infantile idiotic trash.....and the umteen similar sequels to follow them. [ + quote]
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 2 July 2007 17:26
I like the fact that Independent films are getting support even though its from Microsoft. Still a good news story. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 2 July 2007 20:54
TO bad they can do that with gaming :P [ + quote]