EXCLUSIVE: UK filmmaker Jeanie Finlay has set up Glimmerama, a creative distribution arm to her documentary production company Glimmer Films.
Glimmerama is designed to connect documentary films directly with audiences through innovative release strategies. Finlay will lead as head of creative distribution and creative producer.
She will be joined by Suzanne Alizart as head of business affairs and creative producer. Alizart previously worked as director of operations and business affairs at Doc Society.
Glimmerama will kick off its activities with Finlay’s All Rivers Spill Their Stories To The Sea, which has its world premiere in the F:Act competition at CPH:DOX on Tuesday, March 17.
Set on the coast of North East England, the documentary follows veteran fisherman Stan Rennie, who becomes an unlikely activist after poisoned crabs and lobsters devastate his community’s livelihood. Charlie Phillips and Finlay are producers on the film, which received BFI Doc Society and Screen Scotland backing, plus support from Chicken & Egg, Secret Sauce, Arte and SWR.
Glimmerama will start by releasing documentaries produced by Finlay’s Glimmer Films; then aims to select a roster of new titles, prioritising those by filmmakers from marginalised backgrounds. The Glimmerama expansion is backed by the UK Global Screen Fund.
“Filmmaking doesn’t stop when the credits roll - I see the release of a film as another creative part of the storytelling,” said Finlay. “Through Glimmerama we want to tear up the rulebook and connect with audiences in new ways.”
“There is a lot of uncertainty around documentary distribution right now,” said Alizart. “I’m excited about stepping into that gap and experimenting with new ways to bring bold, original films to audiences.”
Founded in 2008, Glimmer Films has produced Finlay’s work including most recent feature Your Fat Friend, which made £59,635 through Tull Stories and Glimmer Films in UK-Ireland and was the top documentary at the box office on its opening weekend. Finlay’s other work includes Seahorse, Orion: The Man Who Would Be King, and Emmy-nominated Game of Thrones: The Last Watch.
“Jeanie Finlay is redefining what’s possible for independent documentary distribution,” said Elaisha Stokes, senior program manager at Chicken & Egg. “By harnessing groundbreaking strategies and leveraging cutting-edge technology, she’s breaking through traditional barriers - bringing her films to wider audiences and generating meaningful revenue.”
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