Hello,
On Wednesday 24 June at the Karma Sanctum Soho, we bring together two very different answers to the same question: how do independent films actually reach audiences and get paid fairly?
The evening features two headline sessions, followed by networking by the bar.
Session One | 7.00pm
In conversation: Jonathan Sadler with Jane Foster
Jonathan Sadler is a film marketing and distribution consultant, author and former distribution executive with over 25 years’ experience in the UK and international film industry, including senior marketing roles at Universal Pictures, Momentum Pictures, Revolver Entertainment, Arrow Films and Vertigo Releasing.
His new book, Film Marketing & Distribution: An Independent Filmmaker’s Guide (Kamera Books), distils that experience into practical guidance for filmmakers navigating the commercial realities of bringing films to audiences. And he is currently putting it into practice. Through his company Magus Films, Jonathan recently released the micro-budget British thriller Empire of Lies into UK cinemas and onto digital platforms, running the entire campaign in-house. The results speak for themselves: cinema screenings with Q&As across the UK, a TVOD launch spanning the UK, US, Canada and Australia, millions of social media views in the first 90 days, and chart positions among the top new releases on Amazon in both the UK and US. It is a masterclass in what a well-run micro-budget campaign can achieve, and he will be sharing how he did it.
Jonathan will be interviewed by Jane Foster, writer and director of the magi-real feature Gracie, shot on Super 16mm on a micro budget and released worldwide on Amazon Prime and other platforms. Jane is currently packaging her sci-fi feature Day Six, is in development with supernatural thriller Th3ee, mentors for Raindance Academy and is a visiting lecturer at Central Film School, London.
Jonathan will have signed copies of his book available for purchase on the night.
He has kindly offered discounted copies of Film Marketing and Distribution: An Independent Filmmaker’s Guide for attendees:
£10 off the paperback with code FMDP: https://geni.us/fmd_discountpb
£5 off the e-book with code FMDE: https://geni.us/fmd_discount
Session Two | 7.45pm
Live demo: Create your own streaming platform with Fabstir v2
There are simply not enough outlets for independent films, and the outlets that do exist too often operate as walled gardens, reporting aggregated or adjusted figures to rights holders, or no figures at all. When platforms control the data, they effectively decide what to pay.
In this half-hour live demonstration, Jules Lai, founder of Fabstir and Non-Multiplex Cinema, will show how a filmmaker or distributor can create their own white-label streaming platform using Fabstir v2. Filmmakers can self-distribute, or place their film on another platform within the Fabstir network, while retaining all of their rights and receiving instant payment on every transaction. Crucially, both the rights holder and the platform see exactly the same verifiable viewing and revenue figures. That transparency closes the door on the creative accounting that has plagued our industry for decades.
From 8.15pm
Networking by the bar until 9.45pm
Stay on after the talks to continue the conversation over a drink.
The details
Wednesday 24 June 2026
Karma Sanctum Soho, 20 Warwick Street, London W1B 5NF
Doors 6.15pm | Talks from 7.00pm | Networking until 9.45pm
Places are limited, so book early.
All proceeds go to The Institute of Cancer Research.