
Fandor
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Fandor operates as a specialized video-on-demand streaming service with a clear focus on independent, international, documentary, and classic films. The company was established in 2010 in San Francisco by co-founders Dan Aronson, Jonathan Marlow, and Albert Reinhardt, officially launching at SXSW in 2011. The platform was conceived to provide a dedicated venue for films often overlooked by mainstream services, functioning as a curated space for cinephiles.
The company's history involves several distinct phases. After its initial launch, Fandor raised over $8.6 million in funding across two rounds, including a significant Series A investment led by Starz in 2015. However, the company faced challenges and laid off its staff in 2018, seeking a buyer. In January 2021, Fandor was acquired by the entertainment company Cinedigm (now Cineverse), which initiated a relaunch of the service. This acquisition was part of Cinedigm's broader strategy to consolidate niche streaming services, combining Fandor's library with its own extensive catalog to strengthen its position in the independent film market. Under the leadership of Philip Hopkins, president of The Film Detective, Fandor was revamped and officially relaunched in October 2021.
Fandor's business model targets film enthusiasts looking for content beyond mainstream blockbusters. Revenue is generated primarily through subscriptions, with both monthly and annual premium plans available. The service also offers a free, ad-supported tier to attract a wider audience. A key aspect of its model is a revenue-sharing agreement where 50% of revenue is paid to the films' rights holders, directly supporting filmmakers and distributors. The service is accessible through its own apps on various devices, including web, iOS, Android, and Roku, and as an add-on channel via platforms like Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and Philo.
The platform's core offering is its curated library of over 1,300 films, spanning numerous genres and subgenres from creature features to film noir. Fandor differentiates itself by handpicking titles, from festival favorites to classics, rather than relying on algorithms for recommendations. In addition to its film library, Fandor revived its digital publication, Keyframe, which provides editorial content, video essays, and interviews, fostering a community around the appreciation of cinema. This combination of a curated film selection and supplementary content aims to create a comprehensive experience for dedicated film lovers. Keywords: independent film streaming, classic cinema, documentary streaming, international films, arthouse movies, curated film library, Cinedigm, Cineverse, subscription video on demand, SVOD, film festival favorites, foreign cinema, ad-supported streaming, movie streaming service, film culture, Keyframe publication, film preservation, online movie platform, Dan Aronson, Jonathan Marlow, Philip Hopkins