Joe Oliveto has over a decade of experience covering tech, physical media, and entertainment. His work has appeared in such digital publications as HuffPost, Thrillist, Yahoo!, Time, Elite Daily, Cracked, and numerous others. Along with collecting physical media, his hobbies include hiking, reading, going to concerts, and attending repertory film screenings throughout NYC.
We're pretty big fans of Blu-rays, DVDs, and 4K discs here. If you can relate, you might also be eager to observe this year's International Independent Video Store Day.
A multi-country celebration of the video store experience? It's easy to understand why physical media fans would appreciate the appeal and purpose of such a day. However, those in charge of organizing International Independent Video Store Day aim to do more than simply remind us of the pleasure a local DVD and Blu-ray shop can offer. It seems their goal is also to demonstrate how an independent video store can offer a cure for underwhelming content.
International Independent Video Store Day celebrates eclectic retailers
Physical media shops can offer an ideal space in which to discover new films and shows
Explaining the function and origins of International Independent Video Store Day, the team behind the event points out that the original video stores often were independent. When large corporations recognized the financial potential the home video market represented, they started edging out the smaller competition.
This arguably resulted in a problem for the types of people likely to spend their cash at these establishments. When major companies control the video store market, they get to decide what does and doesn't appear on shelves. Fans pay the price, as they lose the chance to organically discover obscure content that an indie shop owner might keep in stock.
The streaming and digital download era certainly hasn't helped matters. These companies are no more open-minded than the major video store corporations ever were, and they offer an experience that's essentially the exact opposite of the brick-and-mortar experience.
Luckily, some independent video shops still thrive. Given that physical media is making a comeback, we can only hope that even more will show up in our towns and cities as consumers increasingly recognize the value of owning a disc. While these establishments may currently be few and far between, their owners are often passionate film and TV obsessives. That passion translates into an electic selection of content that may be better than an algorithm for those interested in branching out.
What actually happens on International Independent Video Store Day?
The celebration involves sales, special releases, and more
This year's International Independent Video Store Day takes place on October 17. It marks the 16th year of the event, which has been held on the third Saturday of October every year since it started.
What does this celebration actually consist of? To some extent, that depends on where you shop for physical discs.
If you're a music fan, you may already be familiar with Record Store Day. Every year, this day coincides with the release of exclusive vinyl records solely available through participating retailers. Similarly, the organizers of International Independent Video Store Day have partnered with MVD Entertainment Group to release special editions of titles like The Tune, Dead Mountaineer's Hotel, and Cannibal Holocaust to mark the occasion.
That's just a small sampling of the titles getting special releases for International Independent Video Store Day. Be aware, in keeping with the idiosyncrasies of physical media fans, these special editions come in several forms. For example, Cannibal Holocaust is getting a special VHS release (which may particularly appeal to younger film fans), while Disturbing Behavior is being released with a unique slipcover.
Individual shops participating in International Independent Video Store Day may also observe the day with sales and promotions. For instance, in Brooklyn, New York, Night Owl Video is offering a 10% discount on all stock throughout the weekend. In addition, shoppers who make qualifying Criterion Collection purchases will receive complimentary Criterion tote bags.
International Independent Video Store Day offers a list of participating retailers. Check to see if any near you are joining in the festivities, and visit their website or socials to find out exactly what that looks like.
You can participate in International Independent Video Store Day without living near a video store
There are many ways to support indie video shops
Indie video shops were never exactly as widespread as supermarkets. They were always a niche business. That's particularly true these days.
Again, while there's reason to hope that video stores will make a bigger comeback, right now, not everyone has the luxury of living near one. That doesn't mean they can't participate in International Independent Video Store Day.
Remember, this day exists to promote indie video shops. Even if you don't live close enough to one to visit, many of these shops have websites you can order from. Consider this the next time you're thinking about placing an order from Amazon. You could spend the same money while supporting a small business whose mission you believe in.
The fact that International Independent Video Store Day has been going strong for more than a decade-and-a-half now is an encouraging sign. Rather than being marketing gimmicks, these types of celebrations can help shine a light on the reasons physical media is superior to streaming. It's also worth noting that shopping at a video store is only one of many ways to support physical media. If spending money at a nearby video shop or their website isn't an option, you can still make strategic choices about the formats through which you consume content.