Digital Content Pioneer Mario Niccolò Messina on Distributing a $10,000 Spaghetti Western to Millions of Viewers via Streaming: ‘I’d Like to Be the Roger Corman of the Third Millennium’

Digital distribution and production pioneer Mario Niccolò Messina set up shop in Los Angeles four years ago, after launching an innovative micro budget movies business model in his native Italy. He now has a bigger ambition: “I’d like to be the Roger Corman of the third millennium,” he says. Since establishing his L.A. operation called […] Home Film Global Feb 18, 2026 4:51am PT Digital Content Pioneer Mario Niccolò Messina on Distributing a $10,000 Spaghetti Western to Millions of Viewers via Streaming: ‘I’d Like to Be the Roger Corman of the Third Millennium’ His L.A.-based Insurgence Studios, that selects projects using a data-driven approach, has now bankrolled the bows of more than 100 filmmakers. By Nick Vivarelli Plus Icon Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent @NickVivarelli Latest Oscar-Winning ‘No Other Land’ Co-Director Hamdan Ballal Denounces New Attack by Israeli Settlers, Says Brother Hospitalized, Family Members Arrested 1 day ago DR Sales Boards Drama ‘The Best of Families’ Created by Maja Jul Larsen and Produced by ‘The Killing’s Piv Bernth (EXCLUSIVE) 2 days ago Branded Entertainment Executives Anthony Damianakis, Pete Fergusson Launch Dubai-Based Startup IPX to Connect Brands With Content (EXCLUSIVE) 2 days ago See All Courtesy Insurgence Digital distribution and production pioneer Mario Niccolò Messina set up shop in Los Angeles four years ago, after launching an innovative micro budget movies business model in his native Italy. He now has a bigger ambition: “I’d like to be the Roger Corman of the third millennium,” he says. Since establishing his L.A. operation called Insurgence (formerly V Channels Media) in 2021 Messina has been on a roll. Building on the YouTube distribution network he set up to monetize low-budget indie movies globally, his company has financed more than 200 titles with budgets under $200,000 that it first licenses to streamers, and then drops on its genre-specific YouTube channels. Related Stories ‘The Night Manager’ Creator Confirms the True Nature of Jonathan and Teddy’s Relationship, and Explains Why [SPOILER] and [SPOILER] Had to Die in the Season 2 Finale