CineSend Expands Global Reach for an Award-Winning Documentary

Challenges

After six years of independent production, filmmaker Christine Yoo faced a familiar challenge for socially impactful documentaries: the demand for screenings far exceeded what theaters alone could accommodate. Fans, film festival audiences, and running clubs nationwide were eager to see the film, yet in-person screenings were limited and geographically constrained.

Corporate sponsors such as HOKA and Checkr required private, timed screenings that could accommodate multiple time zones, while the team also needed to protect the film’s content from piracy. Previous solutions were unable to meet the team’s requirements for high-quality streaming, ticketing integration, and secure content distribution.

Yoo needed a platform that could deliver her film with both cinematic quality and robust security, while also enabling interactive engagement and scalable audience reach.

Solution

CineSend provided a solution that addressed every one of these challenges. The platform’s DRM encryption ensured that content remained secure, giving the team confidence for both corporate and social impact screenings. Its flexibility allowed for a variety of viewing formats, including timed events like Checkr’s in-house lunch Q&A and extended 72-hour windows for HOKA employees in multiple time zones.

Beyond security and flexibility, CineSend also created revenue opportunities through pre-roll sponsorships and ticket sales, supporting the independent team financially. The platform’s streaming capabilities preserved the cinematic quality of the film across desktop, Smart TV, and Roku, while also enabling interactive post-screening discussions hosted via Zoom.

Yoo highlighted the seamless onboarding process and responsive support, which made managing multiple screenings a smooth experience.

“People on my team initially found it intimidating, but with the support and service from CineSend, everything turned out great. The experience was seamless, and the platform’s flexibility allowed us to engage our audiences meaningfully,”

Yoo reflected.

Results

By using CineSend, 26.2 TO LIFE was able to extend its impact far beyond the limitations of theatrical release. Approximately 1,400 viewers participated in the virtual premiere, while the platform enabled revenue generation through both ticketing and pre-roll sponsorships. Corporate screenings for HOKA and Checkr were highly successful, combining timed viewing with live post-screening discussions that engaged employees across multiple time zones.

The virtual screenings also reinforced the film’s social mission, inspiring the creation of new prison running clubs and raising awareness about rehabilitation programs nationwide. Yoo noted that her team continues to receive daily requests from running clubs and enthusiasts seeking private screenings, underscoring the ongoing engagement and visibility the platform facilitates.

“If I didn't [secure a distribution deal with a major streaming service], I would keep using CineSend, because the inbound from people wanting to watch the film is incredible. The service is responsive, secure, and allows us to deliver the content in exactly the way we envisioned”

Yoo said. CineSend proved to be more than a distribution platform; it became a strategic partner for independent filmmakers seeking to extend their audience reach, generate revenue, and deliver a secure, premium viewing experience. In the case of 26.2 TO LIFE, CineSend enabled a seamless, impactful, and socially resonant virtual premiere, illustrating how independent films can thrive in the digital landscape without compromising quality or security.

“[...] with the support and service from CineSend, everything turned out great. The experience was seamless, and the platform’s flexibility allowed us to engage our audiences meaningfully”

– Christine Yoo, Director & Producer of 26.2 to Life