Hare Krishna! The Film, In Theaters June 2017

Hare Krishna! The Film, In Theaters June 2017

HARE KRISHNA! is a documentary on the life of Srila Prabhupada – the 70-year-old Indian Swami who arrived in America without support or money in the turbulent 1960s, and ignited a worldwide cultural revolution in spiritual consciousness known as the Hare Krishna Movement.

HARE KRISHNA!—Marketing and Theatrical Distribution

Our goal:

To see 'HARE KRISHNA! The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami who started it all,' a 90 minute documentary film on the life of Srila Prabhupada, shown this summer in movie theaters across America and Canada and afterwards go international. 

Our story: 

We are a husband and wife filmmaking team, John and Jean Griesser (ages 73 and 66) who produced over a dozen documentaries since 1974. In 1983 we released YOUR EVER WELL WISHER, a 1 hour documentary on the life of Srila Prabhupada but now, after 34 years, it is time for an updated film. After 3 1/2 years of work, the film will be completed in early May. Please help make our dream a reality by bringing HARE KRISHNA to public theaters!

HARE KRISHNA! is a documentary on the life of Srila Prabhupada – the 70-year-old Indian Swami who arrived in America without support or money in the turbulent 1960s, and ignited a
worldwide cultural revolution in spiritual consciousness known as the Hare Krishna Movement.

After completion comes Distribution

 

One can make a great film but you need a distributor to get it out there. We have the services of Abramorama, based in New York City.  http://abramorama.com. They wrote, "We think your film is
terrific: consistently smart and interesting. We’re certain there’s an audience for it." 

Choosing the Best Film Distribution Method:

The Inner Voice Productions team has chosen to hire Abramorama to market and distribute HARE KRISHNA rather than sell the film to a distribution company which is a more conventional method of distribution. Why are we taking this route?

1. We are able to keep all the film rights with our company, Inner Voice Productions and retain more control over its distribution: in choosing what companies work with us, when, how and where the film is released, the way it is publicized and the platforms it is made available on.

2. We will retain up to 90% of the box office ticket revenue, digital, TV and DVD sales.

In contrast, traditional film distribution occurs when a film is shown at a festival or preview screening and is "picked up" and purchased outright by a distributor. The distributor then owns all the rights to the film. This means they control all aspects of distribution and retain 50% or more of all revenue. As most distributors have large catalogues of films, and as our film has a comparatively narrow audience—an indie, spiritual, biographical documentary—it would not be their main focus.

By hiring Abramorama, IVP can tailor its distribution strategy to ensure that Srila Prabhupada’s story is shared with as many people as possible.

What does Abramorama provide?

1. an extensive marketing and public relations campaign

2. direct media (newpaper and radio ads)

3. graphic artist for posters and print ads 

4. new trailer 

5. generation of print and master materials

6. shipping digital media to theaters 

7. theater booking 

8. incoming funds management, and more.

Funds will also be used for a variety of production and marketing activities at our non-profit company, Inner Voice Productions:

1. subtitles for HARE KRISHNA in 20 major languages. 

2. attend screenings at film festivals.

3. arrange and host premier screenings in major cities.

4. maintenance of staff and office.

 Other Ways You Can Help

If you can’t afford to make a financial contribution, there are other important ways you can help. Here's how you can help build awareness about HARE KRISHNA:

a) Send this Generosity Link to your friends and colleagues 

b) Follow us on youtube and  facebook— repost and share! 

c) Talk about the project to everyone you know! 

Thanks to all our supporters! Let's get this film to the public, bringing them a much needed message of hope and promise as exemplified by Prabhupada's amazing life story. 

With gratitude,  

John and Jean Griesser

And the rest of the Inner Voice Productions Team:

Lauren Ross, Krishna Sanchez, Jessica Heinrich and Srivas Perla