Pablo Larraín’s Pijama Platform Changes How We Find Indie Movies

Pablo Larraín and Juan de Dios Larraín launch Pijama, a new TVOD platform for indie films. We look at the deals with MK2, Alpha Violet, and more.

You've probably been there. You want to watch a specific indie film, but it's nowhere to be found. It's not on the big streamers. It's not on VOD. It feels like the movie simply vanished into thin air after its festival run. That's the reality for way too many films.

Most movies just don't get a global release. It's a sad fact of the current film market. Studios focus on the big hits. They ignore the rest. That's where Pijama comes in to change the game.

I think it's about time someone fixed this mess. Pablo Larraín and Juan de Dios Larraín are the guys doing it. They know the struggle of getting a movie seen. Now, they are building a home for the films that get left behind.

The problem with how we watch movies today

The film industry is broken for small creators. You spend years making a movie. You pour your soul into it. Then, it sits on a hard drive. It never reaches an audience. It's a tragedy.

Most films fail to secure global distribution. That's just the math. There are too many movies and not enough slots on the big platforms. Distributors are picky. They want safe bets. They want blockbusters.

If your movie is artsy or weird, you're in trouble. You might get a limited release in a few cities. Then, it dies. People have no way to find these gems later. It's like they don't exist.

This is why Pijama is so interesting to me. It's a TVOD platform. That stands for Transactional Video on Demand. It's simple. You pay to watch a movie. The money goes back to the people who made it.

How pijama is shaking up the industry

The Larraín brothers aren't just talking. They are moving fast. They just locked in deals with some big names in the indie world. We're talking about MK2, Alpha Violet, and Visit Films. These are heavy hitters.

They also brought in Les Films du Losange, Electric Shadow, and Utopia Films. This is a massive start for a new platform. It shows that other pros see the value in what they are building. It's not just a hobby project.

The goal is clear. They want to give producers a place to sell their work. They want to give audiences a way to watch it. It's a direct link. No gatekeepers. No long wait times. It's just you and the film.

Think about the movies that lose their rights. Sometimes a film's license expires. It sits in a vault. No one can touch it. Pijama wants to fix that too. They want to bring those lost titles back to life.

This is a huge win for indie film fans. We have been starving for a place like this. I want to see the stuff that doesn't make it to the multiplex. I want the weird, the bold, and the new.

This platform could become a library of forgotten cinema. It's a bold move. It's a necessary move. I really hope it sticks.

The tech behind the screen

Pijama is about access. It's a web-based platform. You don't need a fancy cable box. You just need a connection. It's built for the modern viewer.

The platform uses a revenue share model. It gives 80% of the cash to the rights holders. That's a huge chunk. Most platforms keep way more than that. It's a fair deal for the artists.

It's also smart. By keeping costs low, they can host a massive catalog. They don't need to pick one or two hits. They can host thousands of titles. The more, the better.

I'm curious to see how the interface works. If it's easy to use, it will win. If it's clunky, people will leave. But with the Larraín touch, I expect it to look pretty slick.

Why this matters for the future of film

We are living in a time where content is king. Yet, we have so little access to real variety. We get the same sequels and reboots. Pijama has a way out of that loop.

It's not just about watching movies. It's about supporting the people who make them. If this model works, it could change how films are funded. Producers might take more risks. They know they have a place to sell.

The industry needs more of this. We need to stop relying on just a few big companies. We need to own our choices. We need to support the creators directly.

I see a future where platforms like this are common. It's the natural step. We want more control. We want more diversity. We want more than just the top ten lists.

Quick questions answered

What is Pijama? It's a new TVOD platform for independent movies launched by Pablo and Juan de Dios Larraín.

How does it make money? It uses a transactional model where users pay to watch films, and the platform keeps a small cut while giving 80% to rights holders.

What kind of films will be on it? It focuses on indie films that didn't get a global release or older films where the rights have lapsed.

Who are they working with? They have partnered with major indie distributors like MK2, Alpha Violet, Visit Films, and Utopia Films.

Why is this a big deal? It solves the issue of "lost" films that never get seen by audiences because they don't fit into the traditional studio system.

My honest take on this

I think the industry is finally waking up. For years, I've watched great films die on the vine. It's frustrating to know a movie exists but can't be bought. Pijama solves that.

Honestly, my take is that this is the only way forward. The current system is too bloated. It cares about numbers, not art. I want a platform that cares about the work.

The thing that gets me is the 80% split. That's unheard of. Most platforms treat creators like an afterthought. If the Larraín brothers can pull this off, it will set a new standard.

I'm going to be watching this closely. I want to see which films hit the platform first. If they get the library right, they'll have my subscription for life. Let's see if they can pull it off.