Two years ago I started b-side because I wanted to bring great independent films to an audience beyond film festivals. But building a web site where filmmakers can sell their films is only one part of the puzzle. The real trick is helping people find something they’re going to love, even though they’ve never heard of it before.

Most people are drawn to the familiar. One look at this year’s top-grossing movies makes that pretty clear. As of today:

1. Spider-Man 3
2. Shrek the Third
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
4. Transformers
5. 300
6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Now that’s some out of the box thinking.

In other words, the top 3 are 3rd installments of massive franchises, the 4th is a toy line and a tv series, and the 6th is the 5th installment of the biggest book/movie franchise of all time. Only 300, which was a wildly popular graphic novel, required audiences to actually pause and evaluate a new idea before deciding to plunk down their $8.50.

b-side is all about the other side. Things you haven’t seen before. Something where you don’t know exactly what you’re in for when the lights go down. But something we know you’ll love.

If you’re here reading this, odds are pretty good you’re already interested in finding something new. But that doesn’t mean you’re less discerning with your time — or money.

So we’re going to make it a bit easier for you to make that leap. For the next two weeks, anyone who registers with b-side will receive a free Portable download. Just sign up, and we’ll send you a $2.99 gift certificate that can be used to download any film on the site.

It’s that simple. The first round is on us. We think you’ll like what you see.

- Chris