Run a film festival that feels like opening night.
Digital festivals usually mean a link to a video and an empty chat box. Top Row Films gives your festival a real house: a live audience in the seats, filmmakers on stage after every block, and the energy of a packed room, without renting a venue.
First 3 sessions free · No app to download · Works on any phone
How it works
- 1
Program your nights
Line up your blocks and schedule each night.
- 2
Sell passes and tickets
Passes and single tickets check out through Stripe. Only ticket holders get a seat.
- 3
Screen live with Q&As
Every block plays in sync to the whole room, then filmmakers take the stage.
Why filmmakers use Top Row Films
Live audience, not a playlist
Everyone watches together at the same moment, so laughs and gasps land together.
Filmmaker Q&As
Pull directors and casts on stage in front of the screen after each block.
Submissions built in
Collect screener links, runtimes and loglines right on your site.
Ticketing and payouts
Sell passes, keep 90% of ticket sales, and get paid out through Stripe.
Seats for every size
Rooms seat 20 on ticketed screenings, with custom rooms up to 100.
Watch anywhere
Audiences join from any phone or computer, and can cast to the TV.
Ready to fill the seats?
Open your first theater free. Upgrade when your audience shows up.
Questions
How do you host an online film festival?
Schedule your screening blocks, sell passes or tickets, and share one link per night. On Top Row Films each block plays live to a virtual theater, followed by a filmmaker Q&A on stage.
Can filmmakers submit films online?
Yes. Filmmakers send a private screener link (Vimeo, YouTube unlisted, Drive or Dropbox) with their runtime, category and logline.
Can I sell festival passes?
Yes. Passes and tickets check out securely through Stripe, and you keep 90% of the ticket price.
How big can a festival screening be?
Ticketed screenings seat 20, and custom ticketed rooms go up to 100 seats per screening.
Does the audience need special equipment?
No. A phone or computer with a browser is enough. A camera is optional but puts their face in the seat.
More from Top Row Films: Virtual movie premiere · Virtual watch party · Sell tickets to your film screening · Find film crew