About
The documentary distributor for films that matter.
Jolt is a full-service documentary distributor built for the films the system keeps missing. We run theatrical, digital, premium TVOD, impact, awards, aggregator, and brand partnerships all powered by audience intelligence.
Why we exist
90% of independent films never get sold. The films that shape culture and open us to new ways of seeing are the hardest to place in a streaming economy built for brand-safe content and they now compete for attention with an endless stream of user-generated and short-form video.
Jolt exists to give these films a home, an audience, and measurable cultural reach.
What we do
Jolt is a full-service documentary distributor. Filmmakers work with us across the full distribution pathway, or engage any service on its own.
- Data-led theatrical releases and community impact screenings, built to open strong and extend a film’s cultural footprint.
- Curated digital release with precision-timed premium TVOD windows informed by live audience signal.
- Premium campaigns that convert attention into legislative, social, cultural, or behavioral change through coalition partners, screening programs, measurable outcomes.
- End-to-end awards strategy and execution for Academy, Emmy, BAFTA, and guild consideration.
- Full aggregator services delivering films into major streaming, transactional, and broadcast platforms worldwide.
- Connecting films with mission-aligned brands for amplification, co-marketing, and investment.
- Infrastructure, audience intelligence, and behind-the-scenes services for leading independent distributors and festivals.
How we work
Every Jolt decision is driven by the Intelligent Delivery Network (IDN), our data and AI infrastructure for matching films with audiences, partners, and outcomes. The IDN tells us which films release theatrically and where, when to open the TVOD window, which awards voters and impact partners to activate, and where the long tail lives.
And because impact is the reason most of these films get made, impact is woven through every release and every service.
What filmmakers get
Meaningful engagement and a focus on reaching the audiences that the film was created to reach. 70% of revenue. And a partner through every stage.
What partners get
Jolt’s infrastructure, audience intelligence, and services delivered under your own brand. Partners power their entire audience experience through Jolt, or engage us behind the scenes for specific services: audience discovery, impact campaigns, awards strategy, aggregator operations, and data infrastructure. Jolt-quality delivery, your brand in front.
The founders
Tara Hein-Phillips, former Chief Digital Officer of Sundance. Jim Swartz, founder of Accel, longtime Sundance Institute Board member, and co-founder of Impact Partners. Geralyn Dreyfous, co-founder of Impact Partners, Gamechanger Films, and the Utah Film Center.
Work with us
Filmmakers, distributors, brands, festivals, funders — we’d like to hear from you.