Tugg Inc. was a film-based collective action and crowdsourcing platform that enabled individuals to create film screenings at their local cinema.[1] Tugg ceased operations in January 2020.[2]
Incorporated in 2011,[3] Tugg was officially launched in 2012 at SXSW by co-founders Nicolas Gonda and Pablo Gonzalez.[4] Headquartered in Austin, Texas, it offered services for promoters, filmmakers, and theaters.
Services
Promoters
Screening "hosts" selected a movie from Tugg's library of studio and independent films, chose from available theaters, dates, timeslots, and set other event details like ticket price; then, a set number of people needed to commit to attend before the event was actually on, in order to crowdsource the viewing.[5] Tugg provided promotional resources and tips, but the promoter was responsible for publicity.[6]
Tugg allowed filmmakers to show their films in movie theatres, allowing consumers to select the movies they wanted to see.[7] This distribution method, credited to Gonda, was "supposed to complement existing distribution methods".[5]
Tugg, Inc closed shortly after Distrubber. With these avenues gone, independent filmmakers must seek other way to get their films out to the world.[8]
Tugg EDU
Tugg had a department focused on Educational and Non-Theatrical communities, TuggEDU. It sold screening licenses to "effectively monetize the non-theatrical interest in a film".[1]
