The Digital Souvenir
POAP (pronounced ‘po-ap’) stands for Proof of Attendance Protocol. It’s a system for creating and distributing NFTs that serve as verifiable mementos of a shared experience, whether physical or virtual. Unlike high-value art NFTs, POAPs are typically given away for free and their value is social and sentimental rather than financial.
They function as a digital scrapbook, allowing individuals to build a collection of unique badges that represent the events they’ve been a part of. Each POAP is a unique ERC-721 token, visually represented by a small piece of digital art, and contains metadata about the event: its name, date, and location.
How POAPs are Distributed
Event organizers can easily create a POAP drop for their attendees. The distribution is usually simple and designed for a non-crypto-native audience:
- At a Physical Event: A QR code might be displayed on screen after a film screening or placed on a poster in the lobby of a premiere. Attendees scan the code with their smartphone to mint and claim their POAP.
- At a Virtual Event: During a livestreamed Q&A or an online screening, a secret link or code might be shared in the chat, allowing viewers to claim their POAP.
The Future of Fan Engagement in Film
POAPs offer a powerful new tool for studios, festivals, and filmmakers to engage with their audience:
- Collectible Memorabilia: Attending the Sundance premiere of a breakout hit could come with a unique POAP, a digital collectible that proves ‘I was there.’
- Building a Fan Graph: A studio can use POAPs to identify and reward its most dedicated fans. For example, they could offer an exclusive piece of content to anyone whose wallet contains POAPs from the premieres of all three films in a trilogy.
- Gamification: POAPs can be used to gamify film festival attendance, rewarding attendees who visit certain panels or screenings with unique digital badges.