DISCOVER FRESH, HOT FILMS.
The Popcorn List is an annual survey of acclaimed feature films recommended by film festival programmers across North America - not yet available in wide release.*
*wide digital & theatrical
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Popcorn List (TPL) provides an opportunity for both industry & audiences to Discover Fresh, Hot Films:
The Popcorn List: Each year, we survey film festival programmers from across the country to spotlight films that are not yet in wide distribution, but deserve a much bigger audience. We collate the recommended films in a free, open online database so that everyone can access the List without paywalls or restrictions.
Pop Up Series: In 2025, we took this a step further, and hosted a Pop Up Series featuring 8 recommended films from 2025’s List, in theaters in 10 cities across the country, and virtually on Eventive nationwide. Consider this your early warning: Pop Up Series Round 2: “Fresh, Hot Summer” is coming.
It’s a dream come true to see a small independent film from Korea reach audiences across the United States through the Pop Up Series after its journey through film festivals around the world.
~ Divine Sung, Director of Summer’s Camera
“Thousands of films spend years getting made, premiere at great festivals and then hit a distribution wall. The Popcorn List is building another route to market, where filmmakers can pool audiences and marketing power while keeping ownership of their films. That’s the kind of distribution infrastructure we want Kinema to power.”
~ Christie Marchese, founder and CEO of Kinema
“Independent films are often brought to market one at a time, competing for the same audiences, marketing dollars and attention. By approaching these films as a slate, with every film contributing to the collective marketing effort, we can build audiences across titles, extend the reach of every campaign and make each marketing dollar work harder. We are also giving filmmakers strategies and tools they can use to strengthen the marketing of their films beyond this release.”
~ Archana Jain, CEO of Product of Culture
We are thrilled to be a part of The Popcorn List’s Digital Pop Up Series. Indie films need champions, and the amazing people at TPL are on the front lines beating the drum.
~ Trey McClarnon, Producer of The Other People
IN THE NEWS
The old rules of film distribution are breaking – and the smartest indie filmmakers are building something better.
Lela Meadow-Conner (Arthouse Convergence) and Kathy Susca (The Film Collaborative) explain how the Popcorn List and its Digital Pop-Up are creating real momentum for festival films that deserve a wider audience.
2026 - Fresh, Hot Summer
2025 - Substack
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INDUSTRY PARTNERS
