You may have already seen some banners around Simply -- courtesy of the one and only Don Boose! -- but today is the YouTube release of the feature film Shifter.

Shifter is a no-budget, Vancouver-shot indie horror-comedy. I saw this film several years ago at a one-time screening in Vancouver and had a blast hooting and hollering at the screen with a bunch of other drunk young film enthusiasts. A few years later, and it's now my company California Balloon Films' first release as a third party distributor!

As no-budget filmmakers ourselves, we've desperately wanted to get into distribution and work with other similarly-minded artists for a while, so this is very exciting for us. We're all about releasing on YouTube and other free-to-watch platforms, keeping costs low, and just being able to make more films. Shifter's not the slickest or the biggest film around, but it's just the kind of film we want to support: a no-budget, high ambition feature from a first-time director.

Anyway, if you have a moment, check it out! If you're really bored, we've also got a few other films up ;D

Hey Chris, that is really great! I will definitely watch it. Once I've done so, I will have some questions for you about distribution. My goal is to make one feature film before I leave this crazy writing business behind and that one will absolutely be a low budget indie film. 8)

We filmed a cheesy short zombie thing a couple weeks ago.. have had some interest in it as a feature... but man, this inspires me. I love how you guys did the kills... I"m only 15 minutes in but saved to watch when I have time tomorrow. Love this... makes me want to do something bigger than a short! You think you guys would have interest in zombie cheeze if we do the feature?? Or series??

Looks cool man. I watched pretty much the whole thing. Fun stuff. I wanna watch it again with beer.

Thanks very much for checking it out, y'all!

Pia, I am very stoked to see your eventual feature film. I am suspicious that we'll see a few from you, before you're done... ;D

Dena, I would think absolutely! I saw some pictures from the shoot, it looked like you guys had a blast. I love that so many people on Simply are producing finished films as well.

Mark, appreciate it!! It's amazing how hard it is to get people to check out even a free feature...we're spoiled for choice in the streaming age. So thanks for giving us a chance!