New Frontiers is a five-part anthology of sci-fi films funded by cryptocurrency and produced and shared via blockchain technology, which begins production in 2018. To carry out this creative endeavor, SingularDTV teamed up with XYZ Films, Ground Control Entertainment, Producer Kyle Franke, and Directors Tyson Johnston, Ruairi Robinson, Stephan Zlotescu, and Zac&Mac.

SingularDTV is a blockchain-based entertainment studio that is “laying the foundation for a decentralized entertainment industry.” Along with these films, the launch projects on their Ethervision distribution platform include art, music, animation and non-profit endeavors. It will also be premiering a documentary directed by Alex Winter called Untitled Blockchain Film, which aims to explain blockchain, on its upcoming VOD platform.

The world in which the New Frontiers stories take place was created by Screenwriter Philip Gelatt, Producer Scott Glassgold and Ground Control Entertainment. The media site Futurism will also be an executive producer.

The five sci-fi films share a budget of about 9000 ether (the currency used on the Ethereum blockchain) or $5 million. The blockchain is a distributed network that secures data and transactions through cryptography, with Ethereum serving as an example which allows users to create decentralized applications in virtually any field. SingularDTV creates proprietary blockchain applications for the entertainment industry. Their first two apps, Tokit and LaunchPad, focus on helping filmmakers and artists manage their funding and project rights while enabling digital token crowdfunding. About 15 other SingularDTV blockchain apps are due to come in 2018.

“I’m very proud that SingularDTV is creating a new frontier of its own, with a peer-to-peer funding and distribution platform, connecting fans with the films and filmmakers that they love,” says SingularDTV Co-founder and President of Entertainment Kim Jackson. She points out that within a distributed system, creators and fans can choose to support content creation infinitely if they choose – so “there are no disappointed cancellations of beloved pilots or series.”

While the plots of these new films have not been revealed, SingularDTV generally plans to produce in sci-fi and adventure genres. Jackson explains their focus will be, “Promising, uplifting sci-fi rather than apocalyptic, dystopian stuff,” and that “As filmmakers, we have a responsibility to leave people in a place of possibility.” Her previous credits include Gun Hill Road and Blue Caprice, both of which have been featured in the Sundance Film Festival.

Jackson is proud of SingularDTV’s multimedia and genre-crossing content and thinks it makes sense for media companies to leave behind centralized, single-media production portfolios. “Specializing in only one medium is such a centralized way of thinking. Diversify and expand. This is what the blockchain is all about,” she says.