Why Everyone Wants A Piece Of Shift72

Many film companies have taken a battering during the pandemic. The opposite is true of New Zealand-based video streaming platform Shift72, which has grown by 400 per cent. Andreas Wiseman reports for Deadline.

Business for the company, which builds and manages online video platforms for the industry, is “through the roof”, with new US and international clients including major festivals and exhibitors and with interest growing among independent distribution companies, Wiseman writes.

CEO David White founded Shift72 in 2008 with a background in online and traditional distribution and film marketing. Alongside him at the firm is company director John Barnett, the respected veteran New Zealand film and TV producer whose credits include Oscar-nominated hit Whale Rider.

White told Deadline:

“Covid has accelerated business since March. Our business initially focused on secure screening rooms for industry but the growth among different types of customers has been very strong. Going forward, festivals are going to be hybrid spaces and we think this is a tremendous opportunity for them. We’ve had hundreds and hundreds of enquiries from festivals and there’s no sign of it letting up.”

Original article by Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, August 10, 2020.