The American Film Market is buzzing with an unusual pitch this year — not just another streaming service, but one that promises to weave brand partnerships directly into the viewing experience. Hollywood Expansion Corporation (HEC) has officially put out the call for film submissions, signaling that its 2027 platform is moving from concept to reality.
Based in Chicago, HEC is known for working with major motion picture teams across financing, production, sales, and distribution. Now the company wants to add a new layer: interactive features that let viewers explore products and destinations tied to the films they watch. At AFM in Los Angeles, HEC is actively inviting filmmakers and rights holders to submit their projects for consideration on this planned platform.
“We built HEC to connect the steps filmmakers need to take a project from financing through distribution,” said Stephanie Garvin, founder and CEO of Hollywood Expansion Corporation. “By bringing brands that belong in the story together with interactive ways for audiences to engage, we can create new revenue opportunities for productions.”
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The company’s vision goes beyond typical product placement. Through its HEC Brands division, it works with film teams and businesses to forge partnerships that can start during production and extend through a film’s release. These might include on-screen product integration, premiere events, retail relationships, activations, and film-inspired merchandise.
Marie Ralston, co-founder and chief marketing officer, explained the philosophy: “We look for brands that belong in the story. When we get that right, the brand can become part of what audiences remember long after a typical ad campaign ends. People come back to the movies they love.”
Filmmakers and rights holders interested in submitting can visit HollywoodExpansionCorporation.com and use the Partner With Us form on the homepage. HEC asks that film inquiries include a brief synopsis, the project’s current status, available rights and territories, and a private screener link if one is available. The company also welcomes inquiries from industry partners, brands, and agencies through the same form.
HEC Media Relations
Hollywood Expansion Corporation
info@hollywoodexpansion.com
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Why it matters: As streaming giants battle for subscribers with price hikes and content cuts, HEC is betting that interactive brand integration — not just passive viewing — can unlock new revenue for filmmakers. If successful, this model could reshape how films are financed and how audiences engage with the stories and products they love.
