Founder of Hiike

I founded Hiike in response to recent industry decisions that have negatively impacted the independent film market. I've been heavily immersed in the film industry for over a decade, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the struggles many independent filmmakers face in getting their work seen and appreciated.

Hiike's mission is to eliminate the uncertainty surrounding distribution, empowering filmmakers to make informed decisions with up-to-date tools and resources they need to succeed. We are currently building a platform to better connect filmmakers and film festivals. We help filmmakers make informed decisions, ensuring their stories reach the audiences they deserve. Our platform provides a unique and efficient way for filmmakers to navigate the complex festival landscape, while also enhancing film festival efficiency with advanced organization and planning tools.

Let me tell you about what it means to Hiike. I grew up ski racing. In ski racing, it’s very common to see racers fall or miss a gate. Most racers just get up and ski out of the course, disqualifying themselves from the whole competition. But, if you have the ambition, you get up, hike back to the gate, and finish the course. This spirit of resilience and determination is what drives Hiike.

Hiike is more than just a platform; it's a community dedicated to revitalizing the independent film market and giving filmmakers new opportunities to shine. Together, we can transform the distribution landscape.

Thank you for your support. It's time to Hiike.

EMERSON COLLEGE FRAMES PER SECOND DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM

But Hiike wouldn’t exist without the FPS Distribution Program.

I launched the first-ever distribution program at Emerson College after noticing how many talented filmmakers struggled to gain recognition for their incredible films. These projects often ended up on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok, or Instagram, where they rarely got the recognition they deserved.

There was a clear need for a more structured distribution strategy to help these films reach a wider audience. The program provided students with the knowledge, resources, and support to distribute their films to U.S. festivals.

Within our first year, we received multiple Oscar-qualifying festival acceptances, showcasing the incredible talent of Emerson's filmmakers. Filmmakers from other top film schools began submitting their work to us, revealing a widespread need. This led to the creation of a network of independent filmmakers and students across the country, which eventually inspired Hiike.

I passed the program to new leadership, and we recently signed a partnership with a European aggregator, enabling our films to be seen by international audiences.

This program has begun to transformed the way student films are viewed and valued. The experience of launching and leading it has been incredibly rewarding. As I build the software to automate this service, I'm excited to continue creating a thriving ecosystem for filmmakers everywhere.