During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual and hybrid film festivals emerged as a necessity to keep events operating safely and efficiently for attendees. However, hybrid events have remained as a way to connect festivals, filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals.
Not only are hybrid components of film festivals a great way for these festivals to reach audiences they might not have had the opportunity to attend an in-person event, but also a way to reach more press and industry buyers. These connections can be pivotal in helping filmmakers secure valuable word-of-mouth or even sales and distribution deals.
Still, with the number of options available to festivals in terms of platforms to support their virtual and hybrid components, it can be difficult to choose which one is right for them. In addition to considering factors such as the platform’s features and user interface, it is also important to consider the platform’s cost.
While bringing festivals to larger audiences through a virtual component can be an additional source of revenue, it may not be worth the investment if the software to support it is too expensive. Here, we will explore four popular virtual screening platforms to help film festival organizers find the most cost-effective and efficient solution to fit their needs.
1. Entertainment Oxygen (eoApp)
Entertainment Oxygen is a newer player in virtual festival software, but they have already made a name for themselves thanks to their extraordinary level of service and uniquely transparent pricing structure. For one low fee of $299, film festivals gain access to eoApp’s full suite of features, including live event ticketing with voting, networking for filmmakers, and full live support for a US-based team. For festivals both big and small, eoApp will revolutionize their ability to put on a successful hybrid event.
2. Eventive Virtual
Since the beginning of virtual and hybrid film festival events, Eventive Virtual has been a leader in the industry because of its comprehensive set of features to facilitate virtual screenings. However, Eventive’s pricing model tends to be out of reach for many festivals — especially those with smaller audiences. Eventive’s pricing starts at $975 per year, and on top of that, there are additional fees for each additional service and hour of content the festival includes in their event.
For example, a premium support option costs a staggering $1,800 per month. For events with extensive programming, this means Eventive is likely not a good option.
3. Shift72
Even before the rise in virtual and hybrid festivals, Shift72 was a well-regarded leader in the industry — as their software was used as a tool for virtual press and industry components of events. Yet, when it comes to using Shift72 to put on a hybrid festival for the public, the tiered pricing structure can cause expenses to rack up quickly.
The platform’s pricing starts at $1,700 per year, with pricing based on the number of films in a program and projected audience sizes, with further fees for extra features and services. As such, Shift72 is often not a cost-effective option for festivals.
4. Festivee Pro
Finally, Festivee Pro is one of the most expensive options for virtual and hybrid festivals, with pricing starting at $3,500 per year, with additional fees for various services and features. Since many festivals are still struggling financially to recover from lost time and audiences during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, such an expensive platform for their hybrid component is likely not in their best interest — despite the numerous features the platform offers.
Why Entertainment Oxygen is the superior choice for virtual and hybrid festivals
One of the main considerations festivals must make when deciding which virtual platform they will use for their hybrid component. While Eventive Virtual, Shift72, and Festivee Pro offer a range of features, they also have ambiguous pricing structures that often lead to unplanned costs and fees. Thus, even with the most well-planned budgets, festivals can be strained using a virtual screening platform unless their audience sizes and anticipated revenue perform to a certain level.
In contrast, eoApp offers a straightforward, transparent pricing structure, allowing festivals to plan their budgets more effectively and allocate valuable resources to other aspects of their event. For a one-time $299 fee, festivals get unlimited access to their full suite of features and services — and there are no extra costs or hidden fees.
For festivals looking to find the least expensive option to go hybrid with virtual screenings without sacrificing quality, eoApp emerges as the clear winner. With this platform, festivals can have the flexibility and freedom to create a memorable hybrid event without worrying about escalating costs. As a result, they can confidently embrace virtual screenings while also maximizing their budgetary resources to put on a successful and impactful event.