Ethereum innovator Consensys has heralded a pioneering partnership with Film.io, a trailblazing startup leveraging blockchain technology to democratize Hollywood’s studio system. Film.io is set to be the inaugural partner of VillageDAO, a smart contract framework and service provider for Web3 communities, established within Consensys in 2022.

Today, Ethereum unites an expansive ecosystem, with decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) sparking communal engagement and propelling diverse projects and fundraising ventures. Hollywood’s entrenched studio system, replete with gatekeeping intermediaries, stifles creativity and storytelling, as highlighted by Bryan Hertz, co-creator of Film.io.

“Film.io empowers filmmakers to build a decentralized community around their projects, carving their own paths,” Hertz shared in an interview. “They can seek funding, distribution, and community assistance for project development, whether enhancing ideas or recreating assets like movie posters, all within a decentralized framework.”

Hertz envisions film projects on Film.io ranging from $500,000 to over $30 million in budgets, anticipating growth as more studios join the platform. VillageDAO, initially nurtured within Consensys and now set for independence, offers a more structured environment compared to platforms like Discord, according to Consensys managing director Dror Avieli.

“While Discord is useful, it often devolves into a chaotic ‘Wild West’ with varying behaviors,” Avieli explained. “We aim to establish an environment with superior technology, procedures, funding, and community management.”

As VillageDAO’s first official partner, Film.io will feature a dedicated white-label portal: The Film.io Village. To inaugurate the partnership, Film.io and VillageDAO are launching a “Community Expert” certification program, enabling Film.io members to support the community and assist in onboarding new users, according to the companies.