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 July 3, 2008 "Ballast" Steadies Course Alone: Sundance Winner Chooses Self-Distribution
Lance Hammer is going solo, of sorts, with his 2008 Sundance stunner "Ballast." The producer-director-writer, whose powerful debut wowed critics at January's prestigious Park City festival and won prizes for best director and cinematography, pulled out of a distribution deal with IFC Films in order to retain rights to the movie himself. Now the film's production entity, Alluvial Film Company, along with Steven Raphael's Required Viewing, will release "Ballast" at New York's Film Forum on October 1, followed by a national rollout. [ read more in Biz ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Lead Story, Trends ] June 30, 2008 iW BOT | Kit Kittredge' Keeps Picturehouse On Top; 'Last Mistress' Seduces NY
Box Office coverage presented by Rentrak Theatrical [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Box Office ] June 26, 2008 DISPATCH FROM LOS ANGELES: Insiders, Observers, and Many Others Wonder: Is the Sky Really Falling?
Los Angeles Film Festival coverage sponsored by Stella Artois. [ read more in Biz ] [ 2 comments ] [ filed under Lead Story, Los Angeles Film Festival, Trends ] June 25, 2008 Zeitgeist Films at 20 Years: Building a Boutique Brand
"One thing we didn't have was a business plan, per se," recalled Zeitgeist Films co-president Emily Russo, "or deep pockets." Last week, she was seated alongside co-president Nancy Gerstman on a small sofa inside the compact but quite comfortable Lower Manhattan office where the two women have run the successful film distribution company together. Back in 1991, Gerstman and Russo moved to their Centre St. location -- into a space with large desks facing each other -- from a Waverly Place spot, and they've been there ever since. Zeitgeist's full-time staff, made up mostly of women, includes another eight people who handle the five or so films that the company releases each year. Most are documentaries these days, some are foreign language films, and a few additional titles are acquired each year for their home video label. [ read more in Biz ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Companies, Lead Story ] June 23, 2008iW BOT | Picturehouse On Fire Thanks to "Kit Kittredge" and "Mongol"
Box Office coverage presented by Rentrak Theatrical [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Box Office ]  Alex Gibney v. ThinkFilm: Claiming Botched "Taxi" Release, Oscar Winning Filmmaker Seeking $1 Million From Distributor
Documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney is seeking more than $1 million in damages from ThinkFilm, distributor of his recent Oscar-winning film, "Taxi to the Dark Side." Late last week X-Ray Productions, producers of Gibney's film, charged that ThinkFilm fradulently hid the fact that it could not properly release the film in theaters, in a complaint filed with the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), the organization agreed upon by both sides to arbitrate any dispute. Responding to Gibney's claims and the request for arbitration, ThinkFilm president Mark Urman this weekend defended his company and its work on the film and sharply criticized Gibney. [ read more in Biz ] [ 7 comments ] [ filed under Companies, Documentary, Lead Story ] June 22, 2008 FIRST PERSON | Film Department's Mark Gill: "Yes, The Sky Really Is Falling."
Los Angeles Film Festival coverage sponsored by Stella Artois. [ read more in Biz ] [ 6 comments ] [ filed under Lead Story, Los Angeles Film Festival, Trends ] June 19, 2008 As ThinkFilm's Cash Crunch Continues, Urman and Company Try to Keep Filmmakers, Creditors at Bay
"May you be in heaven a full half hour before the devil knows you're dead." The Irish saying, which inspired the title of ThinkFilm's highest-grossing release "Before the Devil Knows Your Dead" is an apt one for the specialized distributor, which is currently facing the worst financial crisis of its seven-year history. If last year's release of the acclaimed Sidney Lumet drama marked the heavenly highpoint of the company's career, now Lucifer appears to be breathing down its neck. [ read more in Biz ] [ 4 comments ] [ filed under Companies, Lead Story ] June 16, 2008 iW BOT | "Mongol" Continues Its Summer Invasion
Box Office coverage presented by Rentrak Theatrical [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Box Office, Lead Story ] June 9, 2008 iW BOT | Crowds Storm To Arthouses For "Mongol"
Box Office coverage presented by Rentrak Theatrical [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Box Office, Lead Story ]  New Digital Revenue Stream? TFI Unveils Ambitious Online Outlet: Reframe
Hoping to launch a viable new revenue stream for a wide swath of independent films and filmmakers, the Tribeca Film Institute has unveiled Reframe, a curated online outlet with its sights set on filtering some 10,000 films and videos via the Internet. Opening its digital doors today, Reframe is backed by a million dollars in grants from the MacArthur Foundation, and includes a partnership with CreateSpace and Amazon aimed at digitizing and delivering -- on DVD or via Amazon's Unbox service -- films from leading indie, documentary, foreign and experimental filmmakers. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Lead Story, Trends ] June 2, 2008 iW BOT | Julianne Moore Rides 'Savage Grace' to Top of the Specialty Charts
Box Office coverage presented by Rentrak Theatrical [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Box Office, Lead Story ] May 27, 2008 iW BOT | "War Inc." Hits Specialty Chart Bulls-Eye; "Edge of Heaven" Wows NY Auds
Box Office coverage presented by Rentrak Theatrical [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Box Office, Lead Story ] May 21, 2008CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | Film Department's Gill and Sacker Chat At AmPav, Arthouse Deals With Fortissimo, Jaman Takes Two, and More
Continuing coverage of the Marche du Film in Cannes, indieWIRE reports on the latest deals and news from the Croisette. The Film Department's Mark Gill and Neil Sacker sat down with Mike Goodridge at the American Pavilion to update on the nearly one-year-old company's progress, Arthouse Films signs an exclusive deal with Fortissimo, both First Look Studios and Magnolia Pictures sign with Jaman.com, and more. [ read more in Biz ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies ] May 20, 2008 CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | Spike Lee's "Miracle," Young Europeans, Cyrte Buy, Fortissimo and John Woo, and More
Continuing coverage of the Marche du Film in Cannes, indieWIRE reports on the latest deals and news from the Croisette. Tuesday saw Spike Lee discussing his latest film, "Miracle at St. Anna," Zentropa announcing their "Young Europeans" project, Holland's Cyrte and their new worldwide label, Fortissmo's plans for a new John Woo film, and more. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies, Lead Story ] May 19, 2008 iW BOT | Miramax's Norwegian Drama 'Reprise' Wows NY and LA; 'Visitor' Crashes Top Ten
Box Office coverage presented by Rentrak Theatrical [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Box Office, Lead Story ]  CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | Europe Day, Another Pick-Up For IFC, Optimum Takes "Whiteout," Celluloid Options "UBIK," The Hungarian Pavilion, and More
Continuing coverage of the Marche du Film in Cannes, indieWIRE reports on the latest deals and news from the Croisette. Monday afternoon saw the 6th Europe Day program take place, IFC acquired the North American rights to "The Chaser," Optimum Releasing announced plans to release "Whiteout," Celluloid Dreams options the right to Phillip K. Dick's "UBIK," Lightning Media acquires the rights to Amy Redford's "Guitar," a look at the Hungarian Pavilion, and more. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies, Lead Story ] May 18, 2008 CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | Weinstein Takes "The Alchemist," Reliance Gives Funding To Hollywood, MGM Discusses New Plans, the Korean Pavilion, and More
Continuing coverage of the Marche du Film in Cannes, indieWIRE reports on the latest deals and news from the Croisette. The Weinstein Company buys the rights to best-selling book "The Alchemist," Reliance announced plans to fund Hollywood production companies, IFC Films takes "L'Aventure," MGM heads discuss the company's future at the American Pavilion, a look at the Korean Pavillion, and more. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies, Lead Story ] May 17, 2008 CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | IFC Takes Two More, WMA Launches $100M Fund, Celluloid Gets Animated & Scandinavian, Seville Evolves, Unifrance's Pavilion, and More
IFC continued to be among of the busiest dealmakers in Cannes, announcing today deals for both Olivier Assayas' "Summer Hours" and Anna Melikyan's "Mermaid." William Morris joined with Screen Capital International to unveil Incentive Filmed Entertainment, LLC (Incentive), a new production and financing vehicle for films under $15 million, while Celluloid Dreams announced deals for four new prokjcts, two of them animated and two from Scandinavian directors. Also, a closer look at the evolving Canadian-based Seville Pictures and , indieWIRE takes a look at the Unifrance Pavillion as biz coverage in Cannes continues. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies, Lead Story ] May 16, 2008 CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | Reliance Talks Big Numbers, Weinsteins Acquire "Lake" & Make Asian TV Deal, GreeneStreet Takes "Long Time," The Argentine Pavilion, and More
Continuing coverage of the Marche du Film in Cannes, indieWIRE reports on the latest deals and news from the Croisette. India-based media company Reliance Big Entertainment commits to a $1 billion slate, the Weinsteins acquired "Eden Lake," and inked a pan-Asian deal with TV network STAR, Greenstreet nabs the international rights to "Long Time Gone," Flip Video puts on a shorts competition at Cannes, the Argentina Pavilion celebrates a full slate at the Festival, and more. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies, Lead Story ] May 15, 2008 CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | Update: Hyde Park Million Dollar Asian Fund; Celluloid Follows "Prophet," MTV Wants Their Elephant Eye, Canadians All Business, and More
Continuing coverage of the Marche du Film in Cannes, indieWIRE reports on the latest deals and news from the Croisette. Hyde Park hypes a multi-million dollar fund for Singapore productions, MTV acquires "Planet B-Boy from Elephant Eye, Celluloid Dreams begins pre-sales of Jacques Audiard's latest, Jada Pinkett- Smith brings her directorial debut to Cannes, Origin Pictures will launch in June, a look at the Canadian pavillion, and more. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies, Lead Story ] May 14, 2008 CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | IFC Takes Two, Salt Launches, Fortissimo Busy, Delpy Pre-Sales, Ukranian Pavilion, and More
Continuing coverage of the Marche du Film in Cannes, indieWIRE reports on the latest deals and news from the Croisette. IFC has acquired a pair of Cannes festival entries, Arnaud Desplechin's "A Christmas Tale" and Josh Safdie's "The Pleasure of Being Robbed." Meanwhile, Fortissimo has had a busy round of sales leading up to the festival, while Salt launches for its first market after being re-branded. Finally, Julie Delpy inks pre-sales for her passion project, a look at the Ukranian pavillion, and more. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies, Lead Story ] May 13, 2008 CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | Cannes Market Kickoff, Fortissimo Gets Killer Film, AmPav Turns 20, and More
In the first of a series of daily dispatches focusing on the business side of the 2008 Cannes Film Festival: indieWIRE talks to Marche du Film director Jerome Paillard; Fortissimo acquires the rights to "Gigantic;" TFI is set to show some of Spike Lee's "Miracle at St. Anna," Arthouse Films acquires "Louise Bourgeois, Echo Bridge debuts a new slate, and the American Pavilion celebrates twenty years. [ read more in Biz ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies, Lead Story ] May 12, 2008 iW BOT | Finger Licking Good Debut puts 'Poultrygeist' Atop Indie Charts
Box Office coverage presented by Rentrak Theatrical [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Box Office ] May 8, 2008 Sign of the Times? Insiders React To Picturehouse, Warner Indie Closures
The tragedy was in plain sight, but nobody thought it would hit this hard. As word spread today that Warner Bros. planned to close its specialty divisions Picturehouse and Warner Independent Pictures, shifting all projects currently in development to the larger studio and its recently absorbed subdivision New Line, a mournful tone took hold of the independent film industry. "It is a sad day when any film company, large or small, bites the dust," said President of THINKfilm Mark Urman. "One had heard and one had even considered that this was a possible scenario. It's still surprising when you see it in print." [ read more in Biz ] [ 2 comments ] [ filed under Companies, Indiewood, Lead Story ] May 7, 2008 BIZ | Cablevision Stretches its Rainbow to Sundance Channel
Rainbow Media announced today a plan to purchase the Sundance Channel for $496 million. Confirming reports that the network was seeking a buyer and Rainbow Media was the lead contender, the deal finds Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC, a programming subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation, buying the channel from its current owners NBC Universal, CBS, Showtime Networks and Robert Redford. The Sundance founder, meanwhile, will continue his role as the network's creative director, in addition to recieving just under $50 million from the deal, with the rest of the money divided up between the other owners. [ read more in Biz ] [ 2 comments ] [ filed under Companies, Lead Story ] May 5, 2008 iW BOT | Chart-Topping 'Mister Lonely' Makes Harmony Korine the Comeback Kid
Box Office coverage presented by Rentrak Theatrical [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Box Office, Lead Story ] May 2, 2008 DOC COLUMN | Arts Engine Celebrates 10 Years
Ten years can either be a blip or an eternity depending on your perspective. The year 1997 saw President Bill Clinton inaugurated for his second term, James Cameron's "Titantic" was the top movie and a book about a young wizard named Harry Potter first hit shelves. It was before the Internet stock bust and "information superhighway" was still a promise. The world of documentary in the U.S. was one of foundation funding, public television broadcast and educational distribution with precious few docs breaking into any kind of commercial success. It was in that entrenched world that then-new filmmakers Katy Chevigny and Julia Pimsleur felt like they had little opportunity. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Documentary, Lead Story, Trends ] April 28, 2008 iW BOT | Chinese Dam documentary "Up the Yangtze" Floods NY; Abu Ghraib film "Standard Operating Procedure" Fails to Catch Fire
Box Office coverage presented by Rentrak Theatrical [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Box Office, Lead Story ] April 27, 2008 Nonfiction Campaign: Can Errol Morris's "Standard Operating Procedure" Break the Political Doc Deadlock?
Election years are typically strong for political documentaries. Capitalizing on citizens' hunger for issues that the mainstream media is either ignoring or mishandling, audiences flock to theaters to get a deeper sense of what's going on in the world. At least that was the thinking in 2004, with the blockbuster sales of "Fahrenheit 9/11" and also given the multi-million-dollar grosses of "The Fog of War," "Control Room," "Super Size Me," and "The Corporation." Even "Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry" wasn't swift-boated in theaters, earning more than $614,000. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Documentary, Lead Story, Trends ] 
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