This summer, while our iconic Southgate (first famed after it’s premiere in Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands) was the backdrop for the upcoming Disney film The One & Only Ivan, Tampa was premiering its own film, No Postage Necessary.

Graduate of Lakeland’s Harrison School of Performing Arts and Florida Southern College, Charleene Closshey stars in and produced the romantic indie comedy. A story of a convicted computer hacker (fitting for a film the first of its kind) turned twistee treat employee who falls in love with a war widow. No Postage Necessary is the first film available to purchase through bitcoin, released through the blockchain-based video app Vevue.

So what exactly is bitcoin? A bitcoin is digital currency (made up a of a unique set of numbers a.k.a blockchain) exchanged between two people anonymously without a middleman. Bitcoin is the first + largest cryptocurrency (there are more than 1,500 currencies in circulation right now) with a price tag of $7,367 up from just $1 in April 2011. While cryptocurrency is a bit more complex than merely that, we’re going to let the pros give you the details. Check out The Wall Street Journal’s video Bitcoins 101.

Now back to the movie. Director and writer, Jeremy Culver explains his motivation to be the first to premiere a film through blockchain technology has much to do with his fascination with the future of digital currency. Admittingly hooked on the new technology Culver explains in the interview, “It’s a pretty strong word, but it’s happening,” he says. “The world is changing.” Culver believes bitcoins to be a game changer for world currency and decentralization, a concept Hollywood is just beginning to warm up to.

The Tampa premiere presents an exciting launch for what could be a new turn for the media and the entertainment industry. 🎥

So, what made F.L. the perfect place for the first movie available via Bitcoin? And, how can you watch it if you’re not in the Blockchain game? We have the answers for you right here. ⬇

Named one of the most bitcoin friendly cities in the world, Tampa’s active digital currency came under the spotlight when BitPay sponsored the St. Petersburg college football bowl game and then became named the Bitcoin St. Pete Bowl.

The booming bitcoin-buying community in the Tampa Bay Area is growing strong. Tap into the Tampa Bay Bitcoin Meetup and join the world of digital currency from Blockchain Enthusiasts to Cryptocurrency 101.

Coming on Blu Ray + DVD September 2018.

Not sold on the future of bitcoins enough to buy a few of your own just yet? No worries. You can still see No Postage Necessary without making the digital dive.

No judgement here.

via GIPHY

-Kristin