Annalisa Shoemaker founded Suncatcher Productions in 2023 to amplify intentional, representative stories that awaken audiences, particularly about women, people with disabilities & the environment.
Suncatcher is a woman-led boutique film distribution company that empowers purposeful, illuminating films of all languages and formats. Our team collaborates closely with filmmakers to craft marketing, distribution, and audience engagement strategies through both consultation and execution.
Why Suncatcher?
Suncatcher is for filmmakers who are looking for an empowering option to their film’s release strategy. Think of us as hiring a movie marketing and distribution expert to your team. Creative thinking, authentic relationships, and 1:1 attention to projects is at the heart of what we do.
What sets us apart from traditional distributors? 1) We never take rights to your film. 2) We negotiate a revenue share model, meaning no four walls or rental fees. 3) We believe you know your film best, so you have final say in all marketing decisions.
Whether starting pre-production or your festival run, Suncatcher believes developing a strategy for distribution provides filmmakers with alternative opportunities in an evolving marketplace. We look forward to partnering with you to accomplish your unique goals.
Annalisa Shoemaker | Founder & CEO
Annalisa (she/her) is the founder and CEO of Suncatcher Productions. Since Suncatcher’s inception, Annalisa has led the theatrical execution for eight feature films including TO KILL A TIGER, an Academy Award® nominee for Best Documentary Feature. Annalisa also released the disability themed rom-com GOOD BAD THINGS in over 50 theaters before licensing home entertainment rights to Music Box Films and streaming rights to Hulu.
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Prior to Suncatcher, Annalisa spent over a decade working on theatrical distribution campaigns at Amazon Studios (SOUND OF METAL, THE BIG SICK, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA) and Focus Features (DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING, MOONRISE KINGDOM).
Annalisa is the co-leader of the Filmmaker Distribution Collective and she is a proud member of Film Independent (2023 Producing Lab Fellow), FWD-Doc, and The Gotham. Annalisa is currently producing her first fictional feature CINEMA AMERICANA and co-writing her first book Field Notes: A Practical Guide to Independent Film Marketing, Distribution, and Audience Engagement. Born with a limb difference, she enjoys spending time with and advocating for her disability community. When she’s not at the cinema, you can find her playing tennis, practicing yoga, and mothering her cats.
2025 Activities & Leadership
Easterseals Disability Film Challenge
Jury
EDFC Adobe Filmmaker Grant
Jury
Milwaukee Film Festival
Jury
Slamdance Film Festival
Market Monday Co-Programmer
Sundance Institute
Catalyst workshop on Marketing & Distribution