TL;DR
Pijama, a new video-on-demand platform founded by filmmakers Juan de Dio and Pablo Larraín, offers an alternative distribution path for independent films. For a flat $100 fee Pijama will host, encode and stream titles for up to two years while letting creators set rental prices and keep a large share of revenue.
What happened
Filmmaker brothers Juan de Dio and Pablo Larraín have introduced Pijama, a VOD streaming service built to widen access to independent films that often stop at the festival circuit. Under Pijama’s model, creators pay a one-time $100 charge to have their films hosted, encoded and streamed on the platform for as long as two years. Filmmakers select rental rates between $3.99 and $9.99; customers get access to a rental via a 72-hour viewing window within a 30-day period. The company says it will forward roughly 80 percent of revenue from sales to producers, sales agents and distributors after transactional costs and taxes. Pijama also supplies creators with backend tools to monitor viewing metrics and to run online marketing campaigns aimed at increasing visibility. The platform launched shortly after Letterboxd’s similar Video Store initiative and is available via apps for iOS, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Android.
Why it matters
- Creates a direct, low-cost distribution option for festival films that often lack deals with traditional studios.
- Allows creators to control pricing and access detailed audience metrics, supporting targeted promotion.
- A high reported revenue share could improve returns for producers, sales agents and independent distributors.
- Adds to a growing set of niche VOD alternatives that may reshape how non-studio titles reach global viewers.
Key facts
- Founders: filmmakers and brothers Juan de Dio and Pablo Larraín.
- Flat fee: filmmakers pay $100 to have a title hosted, encoded and streamed for up to two years.
- Pricing control: rental rates can be set between $3.99 and $9.99 by filmmakers.
- Viewing model: rentals provide a 72-hour viewing window over a rolling 30-day period.
- Revenue split: about 80% of sales revenue is allocated to producers, sales agents and distributors after transactional costs and taxes, per Pijama.
- Creator tools: the platform offers viewing metrics and online marketing campaign tools for filmmakers.
- Platform availability: Pijama’s app is offered on iOS, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Android.
- Timing: Pijama launched a few weeks after Letterboxd introduced its Video Store.
What to watch next
- Which specific films are available at launch: not confirmed in the source.
- Whether Pijama will accept submissions from every territory or limit regions: not confirmed in the source.
- Plans for future monetization models (subscriptions, purchases) beyond rentals: not confirmed in the source.
- App availability across devices is confirmed (iOS, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Android).
Quick glossary
- VOD (Video on Demand): A digital distribution method that allows viewers to rent or buy video content to watch at their convenience.
- Rental window: A defined period during which a rented title is available for viewing after a viewer begins playback or completes a transaction.
- Encoding: The process of converting video files into formats optimized for streaming across different devices and bandwidths.
- Sales agent: An intermediary who represents a film’s rights to distributors and helps secure deals for theatrical, broadcast or digital distribution.
Reader FAQ
How much does it cost filmmakers to host a film on Pijama?
Pijama charges a flat $100 fee to host, encode and stream a film for up to two years.
Can filmmakers choose how much to charge viewers?
Yes. Creators can set rental prices between $3.99 and $9.99.
What share of revenue do creators receive?
Pijama says roughly 80% of revenue from sales goes to producers, sales agents and distributors after transactional costs and applicable taxes.
On which devices is Pijama available?
The app is available on iOS, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Android.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS STREAMING Pijama wants to bring more indie films to a global audience The new VOD streaming service will let filmmakers choose how much to charge for their work….
Sources
- Pijama wants to bring more indie films to a global audience
- Top VOD Platforms to Distribute Your Indie Film and Monetize
- Study Reveals Untapped Market of 40 Million People Who …
- News
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