Gathr

GATHR is an American film distribution and event technology platform founded in 2011 by filmmaker Scott Glosserman... It pioneered a form of Theatrical-On-Demand (TOD) distribution, which allows audiences to crowdsource local screenings of a film. Users request a movie at a local theater and commit to buying tickets; if enough tickets are reserved (meeting a threshold set by the venue), the screening is confirmed (or “tips”), and only then are credit cards charged.This audience-driven model described as “Kickstarter meets Netflix” for moviegoing enables independent films to reach theaters nationwide without the upfront risk of traditional distribution. Glosserman, best known as director of the cult horror mockumentary Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, launched Gathr to democratize theatrical distribution for indie filmmakers and content owners

Gathr’s platform has been used to distribute a wide range of documentaries and independent films. The company’s Theatrical On Demand® service gained attention in 2013 when the documentary Girl Rising (dir. Richard E. Robbins) leveraged it to organize over 400 crowd-driven screenings across the United States..By aggregating local demand online, Gathr ensures that screenings only occur when a critical mass of tickets are pre-sold, providing a guaranteed audience for theaters and minimizing financial risk for filmmaker. In addition to new indie releases, Gathr has also worked with studio libraries; at launch it offered repertory titles and arthouse films (for example, Fox Searchlight’s Another Earth and Martha Marcy May Marlene, both 2011) for on-demand bookings in underserved markets

In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced cinemas to close, Gathr expanded into virtual screenings by introducing “Gathr At Home,” a live online premiere and event platform.. Through Gathr At Home, filmmakers can host digital premieres, Q&As, and streaming events for remote audiences, effectively “event-izing” film releases online

Films Distributed via Gathr

• 40 Weeks (2014) – Documentary film produced by Big Belli, which partnered with Gathr’s Theatrical On Demand® platform to crowdsource theatrical screenings in local communities
• Alive and Well (2013) – Documentary about Huntington’s disease; released in partnership with Gathr Films, allowing on-demand community screenings.
• American Native (2015) – The documentary American Native, about New Jersey’s Ramapough Lenape Nation, was released in theaters through Gathr’s on-demand theatrical distribution model.
• Awake: The Life of Yogananda (2014) – Biographical documentary of Paramahansa Yogananda; distributed through Gathr’s Theatrical On Demand®, grossing over $1.4 million via this model.
• Before You Know It (2013) – LGBT senior citizens documentary by PJ Raval; used Gathr’s on-demand theatrical screenings for its limited release.
• Bidder 70 (2013) – Documentary about climate activist Tim DeChristopher; local movie-lovers were able to arrange screenings utilizing Gathr’s proprietary Theatrical On Demand booking system, including a nationwide Earth Day event with live Q&A.
• Big Easy Express (2012) – Grammy-winning music documentary; Magnolia Pictures partnered with Gathr to “pull” this film to theaters via audience demand, enabling fans to reserve screenings across the U.S.
• The Carbon Rush (2013) – Investigative documentary on carbon trading; presented via Gathr Films’ Theatrical On Demand platform, which hosted one-night event screenings (e.g. special showings in April 2014) (citation needed).
• Can You Dig This (2015) – Award-winning documentary on urban gardening in South Los Angeles; one of the “current films” distributed by Gathr Films, which organized crowd-sourced theatrical showings nationwide .
• The Central Park Five (2012) – Ken Burns’ documentary (Peabody & DuPont Award winner) about the wrongfully convicted teens; Gathr facilitated outreach screenings to help the film reach audiences around the country..
• Checkpoint Zoo (2024) – Documentary directed by Joshua Zeman, about Ukrainian zookeepers rescuing animals at Kharkiv’s Feldman Ecopark during the 2022 Russian invasion.
• Consumed (2015) – A narrative film about GMOs starring Zoe Lister-Jones; Gathr handled theatrical-on-demand screenings so that communities could host showings of the film.
• The Anonymous People (2013) – Documentary on the recovery movement; Gathr distributed it via Theatrical On Demand®, resulting in over 200 community screenings across the country .
• Defining Hope (2017) – This end-of-life care documentary was screened via Gathr’s platform. For example, a Savannah news article noted that tickets for a Defining Hope showing were available through a Gathr screening page, indicating the film used Gathr for theatrical-on-demand events.
• Deep Rising (2023) – Documentary on deep-sea mining (Sundance selection); offered on Gathr’s platform for virtual and in-person event screenings to reach specialized audiences (citation needed).
• Disturbing the Peace (2016) – Documentary about former Israeli/Palestinian combatants turned peace activists; Gathr facilitated U.S. screenings on demand to support its message (citation needed).
• Embrace (2016) – Body-positive documentary by Taryn Brumfitt; Gathr included Embrace among its active titles in 2016, enabling dozens of on-demand screenings during its U.S. release
• Endless Abilities (2014) – Documentary about adaptive sports; screened via Gathr’s Theatrical On Demand model, allowing disability advocacy groups to host local showings .
• Facing Fear (2013) – Oscar-nominated short documentary; made available for community and educational screenings through Gathr’s platform (citation needed).
• Fahrenheit 11/9 (2018) – Michael Moore’s political documentary; Gathr coordinated a Nationwide “People’s Premiere” via its Theatrical On Demand® system ahead of the wide release, contributing an estimated 15% boost to the film’s opening box office.
• Finding Jenn’s Voice (2014) – Documentary on domestic violence; counted among the films actively distributed by Gathr, which set up on-demand theater screenings in partnership with local organizations.
• Free Solo (2018) – Academy Award-winning climbing documentary; Gathr Films helped bring Free Solo to additional theaters through special event screenings on demand, expanding its reach beyond the initial National Geographic release.
• Generation Found (2016) – Documentary on youth addiction recovery (from the Anonymous People team); Gathr handled its innovative release during National Recovery Month, allowing audiences nationwide to crowd-source screenings via Theatrical On Demand®.
• Girl Rising (2013) – Documentary about girls’ education (featured Oscar-nominated song “Rise”); Gathr’s platform powered its grassroots distribution, making Girl Rising the 4th-highest grossing documentary of 2013 through hundreds of on-demand screenings.
• Hadwin’s Judgement (2015) – Environmental documentary (adapted from The Golden Spruce story); utilized Gathr’s services for select U.S. screenings on demand (impact-focused events .
• How to Survive a Plague (2012) – Oscar-nominated AIDS activism documentary; Gathr assisted in community screenings to support the film’s outreach after its initial release (partnered with documentary impact campaigns.
• I Am MLK Jr. (2018) – Television documentary (Emmy-nominated) celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.; after its Paramount Network debut, the producers partnered with Gathr to launch a Theatrical On Demand® release so that any U.S. city could host a screening in local theaters.
• Imba Means Sing (2015) – Documentary following the African Children’s Choir; Gathr acquired and offered the film for on-demand theatrical bookings, enabling choir supporters to organize screenings.
• The Immortalists (2014) – Documentary about longevity scientists; distributed in part through Gathr Films, which arranged limited theatrical on-demand showings for science and bioethics audiences (citation needed).
• Intelligent Lives (2018) – Dan Habib’s disability rights documentary Intelligent Lives used Gathr’s model to reach theaters. A host toolkit states: “You pick the date, time, movie theater of your choice – Gathr does the rest,” emphasizing that Intelligent Lives screenings were booked through Gathr.
• Intent to Destroy (2017) – Documentary on the Armenian Genocide (by Joe Berlinger); had special event screenings facilitated by Gathr (particularly in communities interested in Armenian history.
• Invisible Nation (2023) – Documentary on Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen; featured as a “Gathr Featured Film” in 2024, with Gathr hosting both in-cinema and virtual screenings (citation needed)
• John Lewis: Good Trouble (2020) – CNN Films documentary on Congressman John Lewis; Gathr’s Theatrical On Demand service was used by community groups to hold tribute screenings (in coordination with “Good Trouble Day” events (citation needed).
• Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet (2015) – Animated film (Annie Award nominee) produced by Salma Hayek; Gathr helped self-distribute the film in arthouse theaters, being proud to have assisted its reach to audiences across the country.
• Kids for Cash (2013) – Juvenile justice documentary; after a limited regional release, Gathr facilitated on-demand screenings nationwide, contributing to the film’s six-figure gross and community dialogues on reform.
• Kindness Is Contagious (2014) – Uplifting documentary on the science of kindness; used Gathr’s platform to empower fans (“Kindness Champions”) to host local screenings and spread its positive message (as noted in the film’s Gathr toolkit – citation needed).
• Korengal (2014) – Sebastian Junger’s follow-up to Restrepo; Gathr partnered on a limited theatrical rollout, allowing military and veteran communities to request screenings of the film on demand (citation needed).
• Life After (2023) – Sundance award-winning documentary by Reid Davenport; distributed via Gathr in a hybrid model – an exclusive pre-broadcast online run on Gathr’s platform and select in-person screenings (Pay-It-Forward ticketing enabled) (citation needed).
• Life in a Walk (2015) – Heartwarming documentary of a father-son journey; counted among Gathr’s active titles, with community-sponsored theatrical bookings arranged through Gathr Films.
• Life in the Doghouse (2018) – Documentary about rescuers Danny & Ron’s dog rescue mission; Gathr hosted on-demand screenings to benefit animal rescue communities (audience-driven events).
• Love, Kennedy (2017) – Inspirational drama based on a true story; Gathr partnered with the filmmakers to expand this Utah film’s release beyond its initial regional run. Using Theatrical On Demand, Love, Kennedy was screened in additional states, with proceeds supporting the Kennedy’s H.U.G.S. foundation.
• Mantra: Sounds into Silence (2017) – Documentary on music and meditation; Gathr handled the U.S. theatrical-on-demand release (in tandem with filmmakers) to reach yoga and mindfulness communities.
• Marley (2012) – Kevin Macdonald’s acclaimed Bob Marley documentary; Magnolia Pictures partnered with Gathr to let fans “host a screening” in their hometowns, an early example of Gathr’s model enabling non-traditional distribution outside the standard theatrical circuit.
• Meeting the Beatles in India (2020) – Documentary by Paul Saltzman; when COVID-19 shut theaters, Gathr hosted the virtual world premiere of this film via its Gathr At Home™ platform, allowing audiences to stream the event online with interactive Q&As.
• Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things (2016) – Indie documentary hit (by The Minimalists); Gathr Films acquired it and opened it in theaters via Theatrical On Demand® on May 24, 2016. Communities across the country hosted screenings, making Minimalism a success story of Gathr’s crowd-driven distribution.
• More Than Honey (2012) – Award-winning beekeeping documentary; Gathr supported U.S. distribution by enabling on-demand theater bookings (in collaboration with local beekeeping groups – citation needed).
• MVP (2022) – Drama about veterans (founded by NFL’s Nate Boyer); Gathr assisted with special event screenings supporting veterans’ charities, using on-demand scheduling to coincide with Veterans Day events.
• No One Asked You (2016) – Short film (Tribeca selection) addressing sexual assault; made available for campus and community screenings through Gathr’s platform (citation needed).
• No Other Land (2024) – Documentary on the Masafer Yatta community (Palestine) – Academy Award Winner for Best Documentary Feature. The filmmakers are distributing it directly online and via on-demand screenings; No Other Land is available to rent or purchase on Gathr and viewers can host Gathr screenings to support the cause.
• Nuclear Now (2023) – Oliver Stone’s documentary on nuclear energy; theatrical-on-demand screenings are handled by Gathr (in partnership with distributor Abramorama). The official site directs organizers to use Gathr’s system to book cinema showings of Nuclear Now across the U.S. and Canada.
• On the Basis of Sex (2019) – Biographical film about Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Gathr was involved in its event cinema release, noted as one of the impactful films Gathr helped bring to audiences (special screenings to coincide with RBG’s public appearances and discussions).
• The Other Shore (2013) – Documentary on swimmer Diana Nyad; featured in Gathr’s early lineup of films with on-demand screenings (enabling local athletic and LGBTQ groups to host showings – citation needed).
• The Overnighters (2014) – Award-winning oil boom documentary (Sundance Special Jury Prize); after its initial run, Gathr supported encore screenings in communities that missed it, via the on-demand platform (citation needed).
• Parrot Kindergarten (2019) – Nature documentary short (about endangered parrots); Gathr arranged educational screenings at select theaters and museums on demand.
• Pet Fooled (2017) – Documentary exposé of the pet food industry; the filmmakers teamed up with Gathr for nationwide theatrical on-demand screenings, allowing pet owners and pet supply stores to organize local showings and discussions.
• Ponyboi (2025) – The groundbreaking intersex coming-of-age film Ponyboi is being distributed through a collaboration between Fox’s indie label and Gathr. Fox announced that Ponyboi would open in select cities in June 2025, “available on Theatrical On Demand via Gathr,” highlighting that Gathr powered its theatrical and VOD release.
• Pretty Old (2012) – Documentary about a seniors’ beauty pageant; self-distributed through audience-sourced Gathr screenings in various cities (targeting senior and women’s groups)
• RBG (2018) – Documentary on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Oscar nominee, Emmy winner); alongside its CNN Films release, RBG saw supplemental Gathr on-demand screenings arranged by libraries, law schools, and community groups to celebrate Ginsburg’s legacy (special event screenings – citation needed).
• Return to Homs (2014) – Syrian civil war documentary (Sundance Grand Jury Prize); Gathr facilitated select U.S. screenings on demand to bring this foreign documentary to American arthouse audiences (in collaboration with human rights organizations).
• Rooted in Peace (2016) – Documentary by Greg Reitman promoting peace activism; utilized Gathr’s model for a series of community screenings and workshops tied to the film (advertised via a Gathr campaign – citation needed).
• Russians at War (2015) – Documentary series or film on Russian military conflicts; made available for educational screenings through Gathr’s platform (by-request showings at colleges and forums – citation needed).
• Scout’s Honor (2018) – Documentary about the Boy Scouts and LGBTQ issues; Gathr offered the film for on-demand bookings so that advocacy groups could screen it locally (following its festival run – citation needed).
• Seed: The Untold Story (2016) – Documentary on seed biodiversity (Emmy winner for Outstanding Nature Doc); the film’s producers used Gathr to let viewers “bring SEED to your city”. At one point Gathr screenings were the primary way to see Seed in U.S. cinemas, relying on audience demand to secure theaters.
• The Cranes Call (2024) – Directed by HiddenLight Productions, was released globally via Gathr’s Theatrical On Demand platform.
• The Sixth (2017) – Documentary short (possibly The Sixth Extinction theme); included in Gathr’s offerings for science-oriented community screenings
• The Square (2013) – Egyptian revolution documentary (Oscar nominee, Sundance Audience Award); Gathr Films proudly helped this film reach audiences via its on-demand theatrical model, supplementing its Netflix release with limited theater showings organized by activist groups.
• The Student Body (2016) – Documentary about childhood obesity and school BMI policies; Gathr included it as one of its current films in 2016, enabling student groups and educators to host screenings in local theaters through Theatrical On Demand.
• Thank You for Your Service (2015) – Documentary on mental health in the U.S. military (by Tom Donahue); Gathr Films acquired the distribution rights and released the film in theaters in fall 2016 via a hybrid model – week-long runs followed by nationwide one-night Gathr on-demand screenings.. This innovative release strategy allowed audiences and veteran organizations across the country to easily schedule showings of the film
• The Surgery Ship (2013) – Documentary series (Emmy-winning) about a hospital ship; Gathr assisted in arranging special one-off screenings in medical and faith-based communities (through its platform – citation needed).
• The Test & The Art of Thinking (2018) – Documentary on the SAT exam; after an initial limited release by Abramorama, the film was made available for Gathr on-demand screenings, enabling schools and parent groups to host local discussions with the film (citation needed).
• Time to Choose (2016) – Climate change documentary by Charles Ferguson; listed among Gathr’s active offerings. Gathr supported the film’s impact campaign by coordinating Theatrical On Demand screenings nationwide, engaging environmental groups to “book” the film in their towns.
• Torn (2021) – Documentary on climber Alex Lowe’s family (National Geographic); Gathr held select event screenings (e.g. climbing clubs, memorial events) in addition to the NatGeo release (citation needed).
• TWA Flight 800 (2013) – Investigative documentary (Epix) about the 1996 plane crash; Gathr enabled a handful of remembrance screenings on the disaster’s anniversary via its on-demand system (community-organized memorial showings – citation needed).
• The Unknowns (2016) – Documentary about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’s honor guard; included in Gathr’s lineup of current films for 2016 . Gathr’s platform allowed veterans groups and historical organizations to set up theatrical screenings of The Unknowns across the U.S.
• Unbanked (2025) – Documentary on financial exclusion and cryptocurrency; adopted Gathr’s virtual and theatrical on-demand model for its release, letting fintech communities host screenings and panel discussions
• Union (2023) – Documentary on the Amazon labor union drive (a “Featured Film” on Gathr in 2024); Gathr managed special Direct to Cinema™ screenings in support of the film, partnering with labor organizations to bring Union to local theaters (citation needed).
• Walk With Me (2017) – Documentary on Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh; Gathr was instrumental in its U.S. distribution, making it possible for mindfulness groups and monasteries to book Walk With Me screenings in their communities.
• The Wanted 18 (2014) – Docu-drama (Academy Award shortlist) about Palestinians hiding 18 cows during the Intifada; a Gathr Screening Toolkit was provided to supporters (citation needed, found only pdf), empowering them to host The Wanted 18 showings via Gathr’s platform. This crowd-driven approach brought the film to theaters and campuses nationwide despite its niche subject.
• Who Is Dayani Cristal? (2013) – Sundance-winning documentary (Cinematography Award) about migrant deaths on the U.S.–Mexico border; the filmmakers employed Gathr’s Theatrical On Demand model, creating a screening toolkit (citation needed, found only pdf), so that human-rights advocates could “Gathr” local screenings of the film in communities and border states.
• Who Took Johnny? (2014) – Documentary on the Johnny Gosch abduction case; the filmmakers opted for a quasi-self-distribution route via Gathr. Through Gathr’s Theatrical On Demand platform, they were able to make the film available on the big screen, allowing anyone – anywhere to set up a one-time screening and share the story, even wihtout traditional distribution.
• Women Like Us (2017) – Documentary by Sally Colón-Petree about women changemakers; Dream On Productions partnered with Gathr Films’ crowd-sourced “Theatrical-On-Demand” platform to release Women Like Us across the. This enabled numerous community-hosted screenings (including premieres in multiple cities) and helped turn the film’s message into a grassroots movement.