The Movie Marketing & Distribution Podcast

What actually happens to cinema screenings when a film receives an Oscar nomination or wins Best Picture?
In this episode of the Marketing and Distribution Podcast, Alex Stolz welcomes back leading film industry analyst Stephen Follows to unpack usheru-backed research into the real impact of awards on theatrical exhibition.
Drawing on multiple years of Best Picture data, the conversation examines how cinema screenings shift around Oscar nominations and the awards ceremony itself. Stephen explains why nominations tend to spread benefit across multiple films, while winning concentrates attention on a single title, creating a sharp but time-limited surge in screenings.
Rather than treating the "Oscar bounce" as a simple marketing effect, the episode reframes awards as a confidence signal within a structured, human decision-making environment, where exhibitors operate under tight constraints and short booking windows.
The discussion also explores why film size, release timing, and distributor readiness make such a difference, and why even with better data, awards season remains a high-stakes exercise in professional judgement rather than a predictable formula.
An essential listen for distributors, exhibitors, and marketers navigating awards season in today's volatile theatrical ecosystem.
To read Stephen's report head to https://stephenfollows.com/
About Stephen Follows
Stephen Follows is a world-leading film industry analyst whose research has been featured in almost every major newspaper and magazine, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Times. He is a consultant for Guinness World Records and the chairman of the Central Film School. Stephen's expertise is sought by major Hollywood studios, and he has taught producers, filmmakers, and students around the world.

In this episode, Alex is joined by two industry leaders with unparalleled insight into how films truly reach and resonate with audiences. Kevin Goetz, founder and CEO of Screen Engine ASI, and legendary studio marketer Bob Levin share the thinking, decision processes and real-world experience behind their new book How to Score in Hollywood.
Together, they discuss the realities of greenlighting, the role of audience understanding in shaping creative and commercial choices, and how the relationship between marketing, research and storytelling has evolved. From capability testing and concept clarity to the challenges of releasing films in today's fragmented environment, Kevin and Bob offer a grounded and highly practical look at what drives film success.
For anyone working in distribution, marketing or greenlightng, this conversation lifts the lid on how smarter decisions, stronger insights and clearer positioning help films connect and perform in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
About Kevin Goetz 
Kevin Goetz is the founder and CEO of Screen Engine, a global leader in entertainment research and strategy serving all the major film studios, television networks, and streaming services. Throughout his career, he has been at the forefront of Hollywood, having personally tested over 5,000 film titles, where his work significantly impacts how movies are made, marketed, and released. In 2024, Kevin received American Cinematheque's prestigious Power of Cinema Award for his contributions to the film industry. He is the author of two books: the bestselling Audience•ology: How Moviegoers Shape the Films We Love (Simon & Schuster, 2021), offering an inside look at the power of audience pre-release movie test screenings, and How to Score in Hollywood (Simon & Schuster, November 2025), exploring the secrets to success in the movie business. Kevin brings his expertise to life as the host of the popular podcast, Don't Kill the Messenger (Apple Top 100), and continues educating the filmmaking community through keynote speeches and global presentations. He has produced twelve TV movies, including the Emmy-winning Wild Iris, and the 2026 documentary Children in the Fire. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Television Academy, and the Producers Guild of America, Kevin also serves on the boards of six nonprofit organizations. He currently resides in Beverly Hills with his husband, Neil, a producer and former creative advertising executive, and their labradoodle, Kasha.
 
About Bob Levin
Bob Levin is a legendary movie marketing executive, having for over two decades holding the position of president, worldwide marketing at first Disney, then Sony and MGM. As well as being a key member of each studio's greenlight committee, he led the advertising, publicity, promotion, and research programs that helped launch hundreds of films, breaking numerous box office records throughout his career. Bob came out of semi-retirement when Kevin Goetz invited him to join Screen Engine/ASI as president and chief operating officer, where he has played a pivotal role in the company's continued success. His first book, How to Score in Hollywood, cowritten with Kevin, reveals the secrets to a movie's success and profitability, exploring how smart, data-driven decisions—from development to release—help filmmakers minimize risks and maximize returns. Bob lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Hilda Wynn.

How can independent distributors build a sustainable future for world cinema in an era of content saturation and shrinking public support?
In this episode, Alex Stolz speaks with Meret Ruggle, Co-head of Trigon Film, the Swiss foundation and distributor that has spent more than three decades championing outstanding films from Latin America, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe.
Meret shares how Trigon has developed a holistic and community-driven model for distribution,  combining theatrical releases, educational outreach and its own VoD platform Filmingo to extend the life of its films and connect directly with audiences.
The conversation explores:
Trigon's mission and the challenge of sustaining it amid the loss of key public funding

Balancing cultural purpose with commercial realities

Building direct relationships and trust with audiences

The evolving tastes of Swiss arthouse viewers

Lessons from a truly global approach to curation

A candid and inspiring look at what it takes to keep diverse storytelling alive - and why community, innovation and creativity matter more than ever in the world of film marketing, distribution and audiences.
 
About Meret Ruggle
Meret Ruggle is Co-head of the Swiss film distributor trigon-film. The film foundation has been releasing carefully selected films from Latin America, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe since 1988 and runs its own DVD edition and the video-on-demand platform filmingo. Meret has been working for trigon-film for the last 12 years and is also involved in the Swiss Film Fund visions sud est, both as a member of the Board and an expert in the selection committee. Since 2024 she is also member of the board of the Winterthur Short Film Days (kurzfilmtage.ch).

Independent filmmakers face a fast-evolving landscape: rising costs, fragmented audiences, and tougher routes to market. Yet with more platforms and opportunities than ever before, smart strategies can still give films the best chance to succeed.
In this episode, Alex Stolz speaks with Jonathan Sadler — veteran marketer and author of Film Marketing and Distribution: An Independent Filmmaker's Guide. With over two decades of experience at companies including Universal Pictures, Momentum, Revolver, Warner Music and Arrow Films, Jonathan has worked on everything from Amélie and Lost in Translation to Donnie Darko and The Mummy.
Together, they explore:
Why casting is also a marketing decision

The importance of product-market fit for indie films

Practical steps filmmakers can take upstream to maximise audience reach

How evolving distribution models create new opportunities

This is an essential conversation for anyone who wants to understand how independent films can not just survive, but thrive, in today's marketplace.
 
About Jonathan Sadler

Jonathan Sadler has been marketing filmed entertainment content since 1998, first at Universal Pictures before spending over 5 years at Momentum Pictures as home entertainment marketing director. He headed up marketing at Revolver Entertainment, Warner Music International and Arrow Films. Sadler has launched or worked on the re-release of iconic films such as Amelie, American Beauty, The Mummy, Lost in Translation, Cinema Paradiso, Heathers, Anuvahood, Edie, The Hunt, Donnie Darko and Love is All You Need. Film Marketing & Distribution: An Independent Filmmaker's Guide is his first book.

In this episode of the Marketing and Distribution Podcast, host Alex Stolz speaks with Susie Bould, Marketing Director at Curzon, the iconic UK exhibitor, distributor, and streaming platform.
Susie shares how Curzon's unique ecosystem and real-time audience data shape its marketing strategy, enabling bold, authentic campaigns that connect deeply with film lovers. She reveals how Curzon successfully shifted its demographic toward a younger audience, the creative tactics behind indie breakouts like Kneecap and Flow, and how agility and authenticity are driving modern film marketing.
Susie also speaks candidly about her experience becoming disabled early in her career, how it shaped her leadership and problem-solving skills, and her views on inclusion and progress in the film industry.
From data-driven decisions to cheeky Oscar-winning posters, from immersive family cinema to ensuring accessibility, this conversation offers a rare, inspiring look into how one of the UK's oldest cinema brands and distributor continue to innovate and bring in audiences for original stories.

About Susie Bould

Susie is Marketing Director at Curzon with 19 years experience in film and entertainment. Formerly at Lionsgate, Think Jam and Hyperlaunch, she is passionate about strategy, creativity, and connecting audiences with great cinema.