Fan Edits Are Legal With Moonbeem, Distribution Network Hosts Approved Clips From Filmmakers

Film lovers can make and post their fan edits legally thanks to Moonbeem, a distribution network for independent film. Fan edits are among the most watched film content on social media, and nearly all of them are made from footage whose rights nobody cleared. But on Moonbeem, the rights holder decides which scenes to open and creators cut from those scenes. Moreover, every fan edit points viewers back to where the film can be rented, bought or watched. Fan edits made this way have been viewed more than 190 million times across the network. The company has unveiled its free panel for Adobe Premiere Pro, which is where the approved scenes will be available. The announcement comes during Adobe MAX, the tech company’s annual conference in Miami Beach, Florida. The company believes it’s one of the first times fans can cut real scenes from released films, with the rights holders’ permission, in the editing software they already use. With the panel, an editor picks a scene the filmmaker has cleared to use, pulls it onto the timeline, cuts, exports and posts; the edit links back to the film, and approved edits can earn on funded campaigns. The panel is built on UXP and is live on Adobe Exchange. Campaigns include “Erupcja,” released by 1-2 Special, whose fan edits have passed 4.6 million views,and “Bob Trevino Likes It,” from Roadside Attractions, at 5.6 million. Distributors on Moonbeem alsoinclude Magnolia Pictures, Oscilloscope Laboratories, and Antenna Releasing. The network isexpanding its list of partners globally. “Every fan edit on Moonbeem exists because the film’s owner wanted it to,” said Dan Sickles, co-founder and CEO of Moonbeem and the director of the films “Dina” and “Mala Mala.” “Editors get real scenes inside the tool they already use, filmmakers get an audience sharing their stories, and we get to see what they make.” The panel arrives as independent filmmakers look for a new home to host their work. Vimeo On Demand has been slowly phased and will close on November 20. Moonbeem’s says it offers a “free migration bridge” that moves a seller’s films, prices and artwork without requiring a new upload. Past buyers will keep the films they paid for. Moonbeem said dozens of storefronts carrying over 350 films have moved so far.Moonbeem was incubated through the Sundance Institute’s Catalyst program and is based in Brooklyn.