In this episode of the Marketing and Distribution Podcast, host Alex Stolz is joined by Ana Maria Jipa and Malcolm Wood, co-founders of Olyn, a new digital platform aiming to redefine how independent films are released and monetized.

Drawing on their backgrounds in technology, entrepreneurship, and film production, Ana and Malcolm discuss how Olyn seeks to provide filmmakers with direct-to-consumer tools — enabling them to maintain ownership, access audience data, and control the viewing experience. The conversation covers core platform functionalities, including custom landing pages, geo-blocking, revenue splits, and scarcity-based release strategies.

The episode also explores broader shifts in the film industry: the growing demand for alternative distribution models, the role of audience data in decision-making, and how creators are beginning to apply startup thinking to their release strategies. Ana and Malcolm share examples of early user behavior, evolving filmmaker mindsets, and the rationale behind their  business model.

This conversation provides a detailed look at the evolving digital infrastructure for independent film — and how tools like Olyn could help bridge the gap between creation, monetization, and long-term audience engagement.

About Ana Maria Jipa and Malcolm Wood

Ana Maria Jipa is co-founder of Olyn, a media-fintech company transforming how digital content is monetized and distributed. An entrepreneur since the age of 19, Ana built her career across investment funds, public institutions, and global tech platforms—spanning San Francisco to Europe. Renowned for her expertise in product development, fintech infrastructure, and API systems, she has consistently championed equitable value exchange models that allow consumers to earn through participation.

Olyn has raised Silicon Valley capital and secured strategic partnerships with global studios, positioning the company at the forefront of creator-led media distribution. 

Malcolm Wood is the co-founder of Olyn, a successful entrepreneur, award-winning film  producer, and environmental advocate with a strong track record in market expansion and global media ventures. Recognized as one of Asia’s most influential figures by Tatler, Malcolm has led multimillion-dollar projects across Media, Technology, Hospitality, and Sustainability. His film credits include A Plastic Ocean, described by Sir David Attenborough as “the most important film of our time”, The Last Glaciers, an IMAX documentary spotlighting the global climate crisis and his most recent environmental documentary with Oscar winner James Reed from my Octopus Teacher, The White Mountain. Malcolm blends business with a commitment to making a positive impact. At Olyn, Malcolm brings deep industry insight and a relentless focus on impact for global growth—reimagining film distribution to empower filmmakers with ownership, direct monetization, and freedom from gatekeepers.

Find out more about Olyn at www.Olyn.com