CinemataCMS 2.1 - Interactive Playlists & Community Discovery for Filmmakers

New front page

We're excited to announce our biggest update yet! Discover fellow filmmakers in your region, upload in stunning 4K quality, and experience a faster, more connected Cinemata.

This update introduces a completely new Members page that helps you find and connect with filmmakers in your country, full 4K video support for ultra-high-definition content, new carousel-style featured playlists on the homepage, and performance improvements that make the entire platform faster.

✨ Better Homepage Experience

Carousel-Style Featured Playlists

Featured content on the homepage now appears in an interactive carousel format, making it easier to discover curated film collections.

What you'll see:

    • Smooth scrolling through featured playlists
    • Touch-friendly controls on mobile devices
    • More engaging visual presentation
    • Easier navigation through curated content

This makes it simpler to explore thematic collections, festival programs, and curated series that our team highlights.

🎬 Discover Your Film Community

Brand New Members Page

Finding fellow filmmakers just got easier! Our redesigned Members page helps you discover and connect with creators across the Asia-Pacific region.

What you can do now:

    • Search by name or location - Instantly find filmmakers you want to connect with
    • See local creators first - The "Members from Your Country" section highlights filmmakers in your region

Filter and sort - Find members by: 

    • Location (focus on specific countries or regions)
    • Most Active contributors
    • Recent members who just joined
    • Filmmakers with the most videos
  • Identify trusted members - Visual badges show verified contributors
  • Quick access to profiles - One click to see any filmmaker's work

Advocacy filmmaking is stronger when we work together. Whether you're looking for collaborators, want to learn from filmmakers tackling similar issues, or simply want to see what others in your region are creating, the new Members page makes connection effortless.

📹 Share Your Work in Stunning 4K

Full 4K Video Support

Your highest-quality work deserves the best possible display. We've fixed 4K (2160p) video encoding so you can now upload ultra-high-definition content.

What changed:

    • 4K videos now encode successfully
    • Full resolution playback available in the video player
    • Your audience can watch in crystal-clear quality
    • All the detail of your original footage preserved

⚡ Faster Platform Performance

Behind-the-Scenes Speed Improvements

We've implemented smart caching technology that makes popular pages load faster without you noticing anything different—it just works better!

What this means for you:

    • Homepage loads faster
    • Featured content appears quickly
    • Popular videos respond instantly
    • Smoother browsing experience overall

The platform automatically optimizes performance while keeping all content fresh and up-to-date.

🛠️ Additional Improvements

Visual Polish

  • Cleaner video titles - Removed distracting background colors for a more professional look
  • Better homepage layout - Featured videos display properly across all devices
  • Flexible year selection - "Other" option for films with uncertain or historical dates

For the Tech-Savvy

  • Developer documentation - New comprehensive guide helps contributors get started
  • Code improvements - Better structured code for easier customization
  • Performance optimizations - Smarter data handling throughout the platform

🌏 What This Means for Your Work

These updates reflect our commitment to making Cinemata the best platform for social justice filmmaking:

  • Build connections - Find collaborators and learn from filmmakers tackling similar issues
  • Share at highest quality - Your 4K footage now displays the way you intended
  • Reach more viewers - Faster loading means people can discover your work more easily
  • Join a growing community - Better tools for connecting mean stronger networks for change

💬 We're Here to Help

As always, we're here to support you:

  • Questions? Contact our support team
  • Technical issues? Use the feedback form
  • Want to connect? Explore the new Members page
  • Have ideas? We want to hear them!

🎥 Keep Creating, Keep Connecting

Thank you for being part of the Cinemata community. Every film you upload, every connection you make, and every story you share strengthens our collective work for social justice across the Asia-Pacific region.

The new Members page is designed specifically to help you find your people—the filmmakers working on similar issues, creating in your region, or pushing boundaries in ways that inspire you. We can't wait to see the collaborations and conversations that emerge.

- The Cinemata Team

📋 Technical Details

For developers and technically-minded users interested in contributing or understanding the platform better:

View Full Technical Release Notes →

Released: November 15, 2025 | Version 2.1