MUMBAI: TheMoviesClub.com, a co-operative built on a community business model, has created a new microfinance movie co-operative that is managed online.

The club will acquire completed independent movies and enable its members to invest directly in those movies and share in their financial success. Movies will be acquired only on the basis that the purchase provides a controlling stake of at least 51 per cent of the movie, if not 100 per cent.

Furthermore, the site also plans to provide its members a discussion forum and give them an equal vote opportunity on movie selection, acquisition, marketing and promotion.

Director Alan Parker stated, "The future of the movie industry lies in the evolving of distribution and this is the first step for a different business model to take the industry away from reliance on major studios for successful movie releases. The movie market can be profitable on modest sales based on this model, and enables TheMoviesClub members the opportunity to also make money out of it as well."

TheMoviesClub.com, launched in March '08, hopes to acquire its first movie in summer. Frequent site updates will follow during April and May, and a launch event will follow in Edinburgh International film festival.