. After a stint as a talent manager at Issa Rae’s Hoorae Media, the 36-year-old producer launched his own indie production and distribution company, Rich Spirit, earlier this year, raising a pool of capital for an initial three-film slate of edgytitles with positive social messages. But instead of spreading his bets, Shani opted to spend the bulk of his capital by stepping up from the role of minority investor to full co-distributor ofopened below expectations in October with $1.
Distribution is commonly cited as one of the hardest aspects of the business. Where do you see the opportunity to do something new? You can certainly say that distribution is the hardest side of the business to innovate or make a meaningful impact. But I think it’s also true that it’s the part that just has not been fundamentally rethought. I’m interested in how you can eventize the viewing experience to create more meaning for moviegoers while boosting ticket revenue.