Can Apeflix build a smarter streaming experience?

Streaming platforms are stuck in the past – but Zach Rothwell has a plan to change that. At the heart of Apeflix is a vision to make film discovery smarter, fairer, and more community-driven.

He’s spent more than 14 years in the film industry, working his way from digital distribution to international sales, where he built a global network of buyers and rubbed shoulders at major film festivals. Now, he’s taking that experience and channeling it into a platform that blends AI, community input, and innovative content discovery to challenge the streaming status quo.

Speaking to The Crypto Radio, Rothwell explained how Apeflix is reimagining film streaming by putting transparency and audience involvement at its core. His vision centers on revolutionizing how films are discovered, rated, and consumed – creating a space where creators and viewers shape the ecosystem together.

How Apeflix flips the streaming script

Unlike subscription models, Apeflix incentivizes viewers through a unique rewards system. Rothwell described the concept as a complete rethinking of how audiences engage with content:

"Apeflix is an AI-powered, ad-supported streaming platform that flips the script on how we discover content, how we rate it, and how we consume that content. Our mission is to create the most transparent and intelligent film discovery experience in the world by combining AI-driven recommendations with community-powered reviews."

By leveraging artificial intelligence and community input, Apeflix aims to challenge the way audiences interact with film content. Rothwell believes that outdated streaming models don’t give enough power to viewers or creators – something he’s determined to change.

The platform’s ad-supported model is designed to be user-centric. Instead of simply monetizing viewers’ attention, Apeflix rewards them for their time. Rothwell explained that users can watch films interspersed with adverts, earning experience points as they go.

These points aren’t just digital tokens with limited value – they can be redeemed at more than 2,500 household brands, offering tangible benefits for audience engagement.

Restoring trust with transparent ratings

Transparency is also at the heart of Apeflix, tackling one of the most persistent issues in the film industry. Rothwell believes that traditional rating platforms such as Rotten Tomatoes have lost credibility.

"There's just no authenticity in the industry at the minute. I mean, even if you take the likes of Rotten Tomatoes, for example, everyone thinks that's the sort of authentic gold standard, but they're their own man."

To address this, Apeflix leans on community-driven reviews and AI-powered curation to foster a more genuine and transparent film discovery experience.

AI-driven engagement: meet Caesar

Another of Apeflix’s innovative features is its AI chatbot, Caesar. Designed to enhance the viewing experience, Caesar acts as a real-time guide, answering questions about cast members, plot points, or even movie trivia. Rothwell shared the inspiration behind it:

"When I'm watching movies, my wife, oh my gosh, the amount of questions that I get asked. So I'm hoping the sort of vision for this is she can just pause it and ask Caesar what's going on. Who the cast member is, what that meant in the film, whatever it may be."

This interactive AI companion keeps viewers engaged without breaking immersion, offering a layer of assistance rarely seen in traditional streaming services.

Content sourcing also benefits from Rothwell’s long-standing industry connections.

"In the first instance, I will be relying on the network that I've built up over 14 years. And I'm second generation. So I was born into this industry. My father was Head of Sales at 20th Century Fox."

This generational expertise offers a strategic advantage for sourcing high-quality content and forging partnerships that bolster the platform’s credibility.

Making web3 accessible to everyone

Accessibility is key to Apeflix’s mission. Acknowledging that many users might be unfamiliar with web3, Rothwell has prioritized a simple onboarding process that doesn’t require a crypto wallet.

"We're going to make things as seamless as possible. If you don't know web3, you're not going to need a wallet to sign into the platform. You can sign in via email, and we're using terminology that you understand."

Apeflix is also joining forces with other innovators through a web3 streaming alliance. This collaboration with several companies aims to strengthen marketing strategies and boost utility for community members. The platform itself will launch on Solana, chosen for its scalability and efficiency, allowing Apeflix to handle high transaction volumes without compromising speed.

While Rothwell’s vision is ambitious, he remains pragmatic about the challenges ahead.

"I'm never going to be one of those founders that says we're going to be bigger and better than Netflix. I totally understand that this is going to be an uphill battle, and we are building for the long term."

His grounded approach underscores a commitment to creating a sustainable platform rather than chasing rapid, unsustainable growth.

As Rothwell and his team prepare for the platform’s official launch, excitement is building among early adopters and the broader film community. Apeflix’s combination of cutting-edge AI, community empowerment, and innovative streaming strategies positions it as a potential game-changer in entertainment. Whether it can truly rival mainstream streaming giants remains to be seen, but one thing is clear – Apeflix is determined to chart its own path, driven by transparency and community involvement.

Listen to the whole interview on The Crypto Radio's live player or the Token Files podcast.