Let’s talk indie docs & Local Public distribution in Park City

Headed to Sundance? If so, we’d love to see you at a conversation about new distribution opportunities for independent documentary filmmakers and distributors through local, independent PBS stations.

Join us Saturday, January 24 at The Impact Lounge at Sundance for a panel exploring how public media’s local footprint – paired with modern streaming infrastructure – can unlock new audiences, revenue models, and community impact for indie film.

Why this conversation matters

At Local Public, we spend a lot of time talking about streaming apps. That’s intentional. Our mission is to help local public media stations evolve from traditional broadcasters into locally curated, member-supported streaming services – deeply connected to their communities and sustainable for the long term.

But even the slickest streaming app is only as strong as the programming behind it.

As public media content is increasingly distributed across commercial platforms, local stations face a growing challenge: how to build distinctive streaming libraries that attract the next generation of viewers, members, and supporters – while staying true to their public service missions.

Enter the Local Public market

That challenge is exactly why we’re building the Local Public programming market. Our goal is to create new, sustainable pipelines for programming to – and from – local PBS and dual-licensee stations, supporting:

• Local streaming
• Broadcast
• Community screenings and events
• Hybrid funding and engagement models

In short, we’re working to make local public media a first-class distribution partner for independent filmmakers and distributors.

An open platform for a shared economy

Like everything we build at Local Public, this marketplace is designed as an open platform – one that allows stations to collaborate with trusted partners like APT, NETA, and others, while also welcoming indie creators, funders, and festivals into the ecosystem.

Our belief is simple: When stations, filmmakers, distributors, and funders collaborate around local audiences, we create new economies for independent film – and better, more relevant experiences for viewers and public media members.

Panel participants

The Park City discussion brings together leaders actively working at the intersection of public media, digital strategy, and independent film:

• Nikki Jones, Chief Digital Officer, Rocky Mountain PBS
• Chris Hastings, President & CEO, WXXI (Rochester, NY)
• Vincent Stehle, Public Media Venture Group (Moderator)
• Kevin Colligan, Local Public

🎟️ Tickets are available, and space is limited.

If you’re a filmmaker, distributor, station leader, or funder curious about how local public media can play a bigger role in the future of indie distribution, please join us.