The Popcorn List wants to connect indie filmmakers with new audiences, the industry – and each other
From September 25-30, the organization will hold in-person and virtual screenings of recent indie films without distribution deals.
Every year, independent filmmakers show their work at festivals, hoping to secure the distribution deals they need to give their movies wide release. But as franchises dominate, it's increasingly difficult for even established directors to find distribution. For instance, David Cronenberg's “The Shrouds” took 11 months to be released in theaters after premiering at Cannes last May.
The Popcorn List, a project by Lela Meadow-Conner, aims to help acclaimed but unconnected indie filmmakers form relationships with distributors, audiences, and each other.
Inspired by the Black List, an annual survey of “most-liked” unproduced screenplays published by Hollywood executives, the Popcorn List gathers indie films “that only a handful of people see,” says Meadow-Conner, the Wichita-based founder/CEO of mamafilm who co-founded the Tallgrass Film Festival.
“These festival programmers take time to cull through thousands of movies to bring the movies that they know their community will love,” she said. “A lot of (the movies) have won audience awards and played at many festivals, but they can't get distribution because of the state of independent film distribution right now.”
The inaugural list in 2024 includes 20 films. To date, half have found distribution. The 2025 Popcorn List includes 19 titles: 13 narrative features and six documentaries, 11 directed by women, 13 by first-time feature directors.
September marks the Popcorn List's first pop-up series, featuring eight films — seven directorial debuts and six by female filmmakers — to be shown in 10 cities around the U.S. and as a virtual film series online between September 25-30.
The screening series includes “To Kill a Wolf,” the Stubbornly Independent winner at last year's Tallgrass Film Festival.
The pop-up series is co-organized by The Film Collaborative, a nonprofit organization that previously distributed Sav Rogers’ documentary “Chasing Chasing Amy,” a 2024 Popcorn List film that Meadow-Conner co-produced.
The series has an innovative social media strategy, “coordinating among all of the film teams, the Popcorn List, and the cinemas who are participating, to promote the series as a whole,” said Kathy Susca, director of content operations at The Film Collaborative.
“That way, (we) create crossover between existing social media followers, people who love independent film, people who go to these theaters — and see if it's possible to build audiences that way. To build community that way.”
Buy single tickets ($10 each) or an all-access Popcorn Pass ($35) to the virtual pop-up series at thepopcornlist.com. Use promo code BUTTER for $10 off a Popcorn Pass.
Anna Andersen co-hosts Your Favorite Bad Movie Podcast with their husband. They have three cats named Brains, Hamburger, and Twinkle.
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