TheBacklight
Maida Lynn, Multitude Films, Anya RousObservations of the independent film ecosystem from the vantage point of a career in the nonprofit sector
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 12 | Founded | 6 months ago | Last Issue | 8 days ago |
| Active | |||||
Read this Newsletter
thebacklight.orgLatest Issues
Peak Board
Members of The Roxie board and Executive Director Lex Sloan celebrate winning the 2025 SFFILM Mel Novikoff Award. Photo Credit: Drew Altizer
March 31, 2026 was my last day on the board of San Francisco’s iconic Roxie Theater, marking the e...
From Passion Project to Public Trust
The money isn’t yours.
This is the one sentence I wish I’d heard when my philanthropy journey began in 2013.
Back then, “strategic philanthropy” was the hot trend, thanks in large part to the publication of a seminal book on the subject:...
Why Multitude Films Became a Nonprofit
(Note: I am delighted to share this essay by my friend and collaborator, Multitude Films President and Co-Founder Anya Rous. I have long admired — and, in full transparency, previously funded — the work of Multitude Films for their commitme...
Cheerleader in Chief
Over the past twelve years, I have financially contributed to somewhere in the ballpark of thirty films; mostly feature docs and a handful of doc shorts. On most of those, I am a credited executive producer, or as I’ve come to call it, Chie...
On Transitions
I’m just home from eight days of what I called “Tribeca adjacent” activity: gatherings and one-on-one time with friends and collaborators both long-standing and new. Most of these people live in New York, and it’s a gift to spend time with...
Key Facts
Audience Metrics
Subscribers, engagement, traffic and sponsorship for TheBacklight.
| Subscribers | Engagement | 72 | Monthly Web Visits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accepts Sponsors | Estimated Cost per Ad | ||||
Chart Rankings
How this newsletter ranks in the official Substack charts.
| #177 |
Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Maida Lynn is the founder of Facet (https://facet.ltd/), board co-chair of The Roxie Theater, and fascinated by the nonprofit NonDē film world.
Dedicated to transformative culture change through nonfiction storytelling.
Anya Rous is an Emmy-winning producer and the President and Co-Founder of Multitude Films, a team dedicated to transformative culture change through nonfiction storytelling, www.multitudefilms.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I access the email archive for TheBacklight?
You can find recent issues that have been published by TheBacklight on Reletter by scrolling up to where it says Latest Issues. Tap on the link for any of the most recent emails or hit More Issues to see older ones.
How many subscribers does TheBacklight have?
To see how many people subscribe to TheBacklight, simply upgrade your Reletter account. We provide readership numbers and lots of other stats for this newsletter so you can decide if it's worth reaching out to.
How can I advertise in TheBacklight?
Newsletter advertising can be extremely effective when it's done right. Before you pitch TheBacklight as a potential sponsor or partner, make sure that you've done your research and checked its newsletter stats with Reletter.
Then, personalize one of our winning pitching templates and send it to the right person using the contact info provided.
How much does it cost to sponsor a publication like TheBacklight?
Newsletter ad rates (or CPM) vary depending on many factors, including industry, number of subscribers, open rate, ad placement and more.
To find out how much an ad will cost, contact TheBacklight using the contact information provided and ask for a copy of their media kit.
How can I find newsletters related to TheBacklight?
Scroll up to where it says Related Newsletters to see other publications like TheBacklight. You can also search our email newsletter directory to discover other newsletters that cover the topics you're interested in.
How do I contact TheBacklight?
Reletter provides this newsletter's website URL above, where you will often find their contact information. We also provide links to associated social media accounts and pitching templates so you can reach out fast.