Joss Whedon is releasing a film he wrote as a $5 US digital download, bypassing the normal channels of independent film distribution.

In a video announcement Sunday following the premiere of the supernatural romance In Your Eyes at the Tribeca Film Festival, Whedon says the film will immediately be released online via Vimeo On Demand and InYourEyesMovie.com.

Starrings Zoe Kazan and Michael Stahl-David, the film was written and produced by Whedon and directed by Brin Hill.

The release will be the second film release for Whedon's "micro studio" Bellwether Productions, following last year's adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.

Whedon has experimented previously with digital releases. His 2008 miniseries Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog was among the first high-profile web series. He is currently working on the Avengers sequel Age of Ultron to be released next year.

The low-cost digital release follows similar initiatives that have seen creators take on distribution themselves, notably after hit comedian and show creator Louis C.K. found success with his digital concert film Live at the Beacon Theater in 2011. So far, the strategy has worked largely for creative individuals, teams or projects that already have amassed a significant fanbase or following.

On mobile? Watch Joss Whedon's announcement here.

A Special Announcement from Bellwether Pictures on Vimeo.