Hoosiers know how to support local restaurants, shops and music venues all over the state. It’s time to support the arts as well. Welcome to Hoodox.
The Hoodox website is a place to watch and support Hoosier documentaries. This streaming service is 100% Indiana focused, with films being made in Indiana or about Indiana. The Hoosier state is at the forefront on this streaming site.
Entrepreneurs and filmmakers Rocky Walls and Zach Downs founded Hoodox in 2021 because they saw a need for a place storytellers could showcase their work and build an audience. The website started with 20 nonfiction titles and now boasts over 100 movies to choose from.
“Hoodox is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support and promote Indiana storytelling that helps Hoosiers stay connected, spark conversations and create positive change,” Walls said.
The site brings together local storytellers and gives back to the community to create positive change. Every subscription goes back to the artists who are putting the stories in your hands. Like the big-name streaming companies, Hoodox has a small subscription price of $10 per month or $100 per year. This subscription gets you instant streaming access to hard-to-find local content all in one place.
“When I tell people about Hoodox, they are often surprised at how many incredible films are being made right here in Indiana,” Walls said. “I have to admit that I am still amazed by the breadth of stories represented on Hoodox. With over 100 titles available to our supporters for streaming, there are feature-length films, short films, student films, historical documentaries, stories about art and nature, and even stories about people and places from outside of Indiana told by Hoosier filmmakers.”
Not only can movie fans binge on films at watchhoodox.com, but local producers can also apply to have their own work on the site. Content on Hoodox is carefully curated, with all submissions going through an approval process through the programming committee. Hoodox welcomes applications from any nonfiction storytelling films or series.
“Hoodox had no seed funding, and we asked all of the filmmakers who licensed their films for streaming at the very beginning to allow us to license them at no cost, trusting that we would stay true to our mission and that financial support would come soon,” Walls said. “Since our founding, we’ve now given over $50,000 to filmmakers across Indiana and we’re aiming to grow that support even more in the coming years with the help of donors who support our mission.”
As Hoodox grows, the team has also partnered with several Indianapolis theaters, specifically Kan-Kan Cinema and Restaurant along with Heartland International Film Festival, to host their now-annual PitchDox documentary film competition.
“PitchDox is a documentary film competition that invites Hoosier filmmakers to submit their unfinished documentary projects – at any stage, from concept to post-production – for a chance to win a $10,000 financial award to support the production of their film,” Walls said. “The PitchDox main event is held during Heartland International Film Festival at the Kan-Kan Cinema and Restaurant. We’re fortunate to have both organizations as partners to help fulfill our mission.”
The 2024 PitchDox winner was the film “Bloom” produced by Malakai Tyne Bisel, Victoria Britton, and Derek Hockemeyer. “Bloom” tells the story of super gardener Alex Babich and his quest to grow America’s tallest sunflower, all while balancing the needs of his family and the challenges of nature.
“Making films isn’t easy, and Hoodox gives Indiana filmmakers a platform to showcase their hard work,” Britton said. “There are endless stories waiting to be discovered and shared with audiences. Having a destination for these narratives, and an audience ready to support you, is a filmmaker’s dream come true.”
There are a lot of creative Hoosier filmmakers who have partnered with Hoodox to bring their films to you. Hoodox has bridged the gap between artists and viewers so films are now easily accessed and supported. Film supporters can subscribe monthly or simply donate to keep Hoodox growing and giving back to the film community.
“I want to continue being a champion of Hoosier documentaries through Hoodox and our programs, and through our own films we produce at 12 Stars Media,” Walls said. “The past few years have been by far the most exciting in my nearly 20-year career, and I have a feeling this is just the beginning.”
Stay up to date on new films and events by following @watchhoodox on social media. Be on the lookout for 2025 PitchDox details as well. Most importantly, sign up and stream on any device at watchhoodox.com.
