Dekanalog
Dekanalog is a Brooklyn-based, founder-owned film and soundtrack distribution company that acquires and releases independent and international cinema across theatrical, streaming, Blu-ray, and vinyl channels for cinephiles, art house cinemas, and educational institutions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersBrooklyn, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Dekanalog does
Dekanalog is a Brooklyn-based, founder-owned film and soundtrack distribution company founded in 2020 by Elijah Drenner, Lysa Le, and George Schmalz. The company acquires and distributes independent and international cinema, with a focus on distinctive auteur voices and original musical scores. Its catalog spans films from more than 25 countries including Lithuania, Hungary, France, Taiwan, Bhutan, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, and Sweden, with titles such as Berlin Silver Bear winner 'The Blue Trail', Sundance prize winner 'This Is Not A Burial, It's A Resurrection', Locarno Best Director winner 'Drowning Dry', and Academy Award submission 'Sweet Dreams'.
Dekanalog operates a multi-channel distribution model. Films are released theatrically through partnerships with independent and art house cinemas including Alamo Drafthouse, Landmark, and Laemmle. Digital distribution is delivered via the company's own website streaming, alongside licensing arrangements with Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Mubi, Kanopy, Criterion Channel, HBO Max, Tubi, YouTube, and others. Physical media is sold exclusively through a partnership with Vinegar Syndrome, including limited edition slipcover variants with print runs in the hundreds of units. The company also sells associated soundtrack vinyl and digital releases.
Revenue is generated through four streams: theatrical exhibition fees, streaming licensing royalties, direct-to-consumer Blu-ray and digital sales, and soundtrack sales. Primary end customers are cinephiles seeking international independent cinema and collector-edition physical media; secondary customers are art house cinemas and educational institutions (served via Kanopy and Collective Eye Films). The company is privately held, has not raised external institutional funding, and operates with a 1-10 person team.
Dekanalog firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dekanalog
- Legal name
- Dekanalog
- Website
- https://dekanalog.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Dekanalog is a Brooklyn-based, founder-owned film and soundtrack distribution company that acquires and releases independent and international cinema across theatrical, streaming, Blu-ray, and vinyl channels for cinephiles, art house cinemas, and educational institutions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dekanalog industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Film Distribution
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Record Production and Distribution (512250)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Theatrical Distribution (Domestic) (MPADAJAA)
Keywords
Where Dekanalog is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brooklyn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Dekanalog business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Physical Media Sales: Sale of limited edition Blu-rays and DVDs through Vinegar Syndrome partnership, including slipcover editions and special releases with bonus features.
- Streaming Licensing: Licensing films to major streaming platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Mubi, Kanopy, Fandango, YouTube, Tubi, and others.
- Theatrical Distribution: Theatrical releases through partnerships with independent cinemas across the United States, including Alamo Drafthouse, Landmark, Laemmle, and other art house theaters.
- Soundtrack Sales: Sale of soundtrack albums, including limited edition vinyl releases, associated with distributed films.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Limited Edition Blu-rays with slipcover |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels3 records
Dekanalog product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dekanalog is a film and soundtrack distribution company that acquires and releases independent and international films in the U.S. market through theatrical exhibition at partner art house cinemas, streaming/video on demand licensing across major platforms, limited edition Blu-ray physical media via Vinegar Syndrome, and original vinyl soundtrack albums. The company curates distinctive international filmmaking voices and musical scores sourced from global festivals.
Product overview
Dekanalog is a film and soundtrack distribution company founded in 2020 by Elijah Drenner, Lysa Le, and George Schmalz. The company specializes in releasing unique independent and international films with a focus on distinctive cinematic voices from around the world. Their product portfolio consists of four interconnected offerings: (1) Film Distribution as the core product, acquiring and distributing films through theatrical releases and digital channels; (2) Blu-ray Releases offering limited edition physical media with extensive bonus features through their partnership with Vinegar Syndrome; (3) Soundtrack Releases featuring original scores on vinyl and digital formats; and (4) Streaming/VOD Distribution across multiple platforms. The company operates primarily as a digital-first distributor while maintaining a physical media presence for collector editions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Film Distribution Acquisition and distribution of independent and international films to U.S. audiences through theatrical release, streaming/video on demand licensing, and physical Blu-ray media for cinephiles and art house exhibition.
- Limited Edition Blu-ray Releases Limited edition Blu-ray releases of distributed films sold exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome, often featuring slipcovers (e.g., limited to 500 units), bonus features, audio commentaries, and collectible packaging for film collectors.
- Soundtrack Releases Vinyl and digital soundtrack album releases tied to distributed films, featuring original scores and source music for film soundtrack collectors and cinephile music enthusiasts.
- Streaming/Video on Demand Distribution Licensing and direct distribution of films across multiple streaming platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Mubi, Kanopy, Tubi, Shudder, Criterion Channel, YouTube, Fandango, and HBO Max for video on demand viewing.
Quantifiable outcome
- Films have been selected for major festivals including Berlin, Sundance, Locarno, TIFF, and Venice
Companies that use Dekanalog
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Dekanalog technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Dekanalog partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Vinegar SyndromecorePrimary retail partner for physical Blu-ray and DVD releases. Dekanalog sells limited edition slipcover releases and special editions through Vinegar Syndrome's online store and physical location.
- Collective Eye FilmsminorEducational sales partner for select titles, handling distribution to academic institutions and educational platforms.
- Alamo DrafthousecoreTheatrical exhibition partner for film releases across multiple locations including Austin, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Denver, and other major markets.
- Criterion CollectioncoreFor select titles like 'This Is Not A Burial, It's A Resurrection', distributed through Criterion Channel and physical Criterion releases.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Dekanalog competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses3 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Dekanalog social profiles
Digital presenceDekanalog financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dekanalog leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Dekanalog funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dekanalog M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dekanalog
What does Dekanalog do?
Dekanalog is a film and soundtrack distribution company that acquires and releases independent and international films in the U.S. market through theatrical exhibition at partner art house cinemas, streaming/video on demand licensing across major platforms, limited edition Blu-ray physical media via Vinegar Syndrome, and original vinyl soundtrack albums. The company curates distinctive international filmmaking voices and musical scores sourced from global festivals.
Is Dekanalog a public or private company?
Dekanalog is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Dekanalog founded?
Dekanalog was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Dekanalog based?
Dekanalog is headquartered in Brooklyn, United States, in the North America region.
How does Dekanalog make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Physical Media Sales are the primary driver. The others are streaming Licensing, theatrical Distribution and soundtrack Sales.
Does Dekanalog have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dekanalog.
What industry is Dekanalog in?
Dekanalog's product category is Independent Film Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAJAA, Theatrical Distribution (Domestic). Its NAICS code is 51212 and its SIC code is 7822.