Pete Ohs' 2026 Distribution Experiment #1: 'OBEX'

In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins speaks with filmmaker Pete Ohs for the first installment in a quarterly 2026 series tracking how he releases four films over the course of the year. Using OBEX as the case study, Ohs breaks down the film’s microbudget production, Sundance 2025 premiere, U.S. acquisition by Oscilloscope, and the realities of theatrical rollout for independent films.

Their conversation explores how booking works, what filmmaker participation in Q&As can actually do for a release, and where creative energy, audience-building, and sustainability meet during distribution.

In this episode, we****discuss:

• How OBEX was made with Albert Birney in and around his Baltimore home
• Why the film’s Sundance 2025 premiere led to a U.S. deal with Oscilloscope
• What sales agents, distributors, and theater bookers each do in an indie release
• Why January became the strategic release window for OBEX
• How theatrical runs expand based on performance, per-screen averages, and momentum
• Which Q&A appearances felt worthwhile in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Baltimore
• What the marketing campaign looked like, including social assets created with Continue Agency
• How Ohs thinks about audience response, Letterboxd reviews, and the digital release
• Why preserving energy during release may matter as much as inventing new promotional ideas
• What Ohs is testing next as Erupcja begins its release

Guests:

• Pete Ohs

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