PUMit: Easy Film Distribution, That's a Wrap!

French technology firm UbicMedia and its subsidiary UbicMedia Inc. will introduce its PUMit digital film distribution tool to the North American market on Oct. 21. PUMit uses internationally patented security and e-commerce technology to help filmmakers screen and monetize their work online. The announcement coincides with UbicMedia’s participation in and sponsorship of the 8th Annual Film Independent Forum, held at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles.

PUMit is a tool that allows filmmakers and rights holders to distribute their films via a simple movie link that can be placed anywhere on the web, including social networks, websites, or blogs, as well as shared via email. A secure payment gateway accompanies each link, enabling filmmakers to collect payments for digital views, which are deposited directly into their PayPal account.

Originally launched in Europe, PUMit has, for the last two years, been used by French media and crowd funding companies to securely deliver pre-release content to exhibitors, industrial clients and other stakeholders. The North American launch marks PUMit’s first use as a direct to consumer marketing and sales tool.

“We’re excited to introduce PUMit to the North American film market,” said Alain Rosset, UbicMedia president “Since the beginning of modern filmmaking, control over a film’s release has been reserved for distributors. PUMit is a simple tool that empowers the independent filmmaker – giving them the ability to promote and screen their films directly to fans, and make money doing it.”

PUMit can also complement a film’s distribution through a digital aggregator.

“Filmmakers who are already working with a nonexclusive third-party distributor can still use PUMit as a direct to fan sales and marketing tool,” said Alain Rosset, “Independent film exists to be received by an audience, and filmmakers themselves know the needs and wants of their audience best. PUMit was created to be the ultimate tool to help filmmakers grow their fan base independently or in conjunction with other methods of distribution. Let’s keep in mind that fans are the only reason cinema exists.”

The PUMit system offers a variety of key features and abilities:

File Security and High Quality Viewing. PUMit’s file-based protection technology allows filmmakers to securely distribute their films over the Internet. PUMit converts standard and high definition movies into protected files, called PUM Files, which are accessible through movie links. Filmmakers can add rules to these links, including restrictions on how or who can view the file, the territories where it can be accessed, and the purchase price. These rules can be updated at any time.

Anyone can share and download the protected PUM file, however, in order watch the film a fan must first meet the requirements set by the filmmaker (i.e. pay a fee, type in a code, sign up for a newsletter). Once these conditions are met, a very small but critical piece of data extracted from the film is continuously swapped with the PUM file data over the Internet. The shifted information never fully unlocks the whole file, it affects only and partially the frame that is displayed at any given time.

PUMit uses a progressive download delivery so fans can either watch the film immediately or later. This provides a more reliable and higher quality viewing experience compared to a live stream and more security than streaming technologies or typical downloads.

Link Tracking and Data Analytics. Each movie link created by the PUMit system can be tracked to provide filmmakers with valuable information about their fans, including their purchasing and viewing behavior, and their influence online, all of which can be collected anonymously. Details about the viral nature of their film can also be tracked, including where, when and how many times a film is viewed or resold.

Social Network Marketing and Sales. Proprietary integration with Facebook enables filmmakers to sell their films directly from a Fan Page without the need for extra coding or eCommerce applications. The attached payment gateway and an embedded player means fans never have to leave Facebook or a filmmaker’s web page to pay for or watch a film, allowing rights holders to retain customer interest instead of directing it away.

Direct to Buyer (D2B) invite tool. PUMit enables filmmakers or small distributors to offer free digital screeners for upcoming movies to potential buyers or partners and can replace watermarked DVDs and Blu-ray discs. PUMit also allows filmmakers to track all viewing behaviors to gauge interest. In addition, the system can be licensed to owners who have a lot of content and need in-depth tracking and more detailed statistics.

“PUMit’s unique technology fills a big gap in the North American market by providing a simple and secure way to instantly promote or distribute content over the Internet, while at the same time leveraging the distributed nature of the Internet rather than relying on centralized, slow and overcrowded outlets,” said Olivier Pfeiffer, head of business development for UbicMedia. “Indeed, since the PUMit technology enables filmmakers to sell content virtually anywhere and by anyone, it turns the entire Internet into a giant movie theater.”

Three independent films – CASH CROP, NEW YORK DOLL and THE WELCOME - will be distributed using PUMit to demonstrate the tool’s core features. In addition, Cactus Three Films will utilize PUMit in their online store to distribute their slate of documentaries.

For more information or to get started with PUMit please visit www.pumit.com

About UbicMedia Inc.
UbicMedia is a privately held entertainment technology firm headquartered in Lyon, France. Its U.S. based subsidiary, UbicMedia Inc., is located in Beverly Hills. Founded in 2007 by mathematician and computer scientist Alain Rosset, UbicMedia offers a patented and innovative video sharing tool called PUMit that allows filmmakers and distribution companies to securely market, sell and screen video content directly to consumers on the Internet. It was developed with the belief that content should be shared in a flexible environment with the ability to track viewings, manage rights and permissions, and prevent unauthorized viewings. UbicMedia’s European clients include Babelgum, Avalanche Productions, l’Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma, People for Cinema, Côté Cinéma and Touscoprod. The firm’s US clients include STARZ Digital Media, which uses the PUMit technology to sell episodes of the Web-based video series "Online Gamer," and BOX, a leading content storage and sharing platform.