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Some big things have come from sharks — Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, Steven Spielberg’s career and “Sharknado,” to name a few. Showbiz mogul Byron Allen used one to launch his theatrical distribution company, Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures.

“I studied all of the release patterns, genres and movies, and noticed that a shark movie opening in the summer never fails,” Allen says. So less than a year after his company purchased vet distributor Freestyle Releasing in 2015, he walked down the beach to his Malibu neighbor Bob Weinstein, having heard that Dimension’s “47 Meters Down” was having trouble getting released, and went in for the kill.

“I said, ‘If I [offer] 3 million bucks, are we done?’ Next thing I know, he calls and says, ‘You know that movie you bought from me on the beach? There are 10,000 DVD units on trucks heading to video stores all across America.’ ”

Allen wired the payment,...

Byron Allen’s theatrical arm Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures acquired the U.S. rights to animated feature “Arctic Dogs,” the company announced Monday.

The film, previously titled “Arctic Justice,” was picked up by Entertainment Studios at the American Film Market and will be scheduled for wide theatrical release on over 3,500 screens in 2019.

“Arctic Dogs” was written by Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen. It was was produced by Monika Bacardi and Andrea Iervolino, and executive produced by Byron Allen, Jennifer Lucas, Carolyn Folks, A.K. Madhavan, Danielle Maloni, and Francesca Silvani. Giovanni Cova is co-executive producer.

Also Read: Mark Borde Exits as Movie President of Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios

“Arctic Dogs” tells the story of Swifty the Arctic fox (Jeremy Renner), who stumbles upon a dark scheme to melt the Arctic. Swifty decides he must team up with his ragtag group of friends to try and save the day. The film also...

Entertainment Studios boss Byron Allen is seriously interested in buying Tribune Media, The New York Post reports.

Allen shelled out $300 million for the Weather Channel in April, and he’ll be up against three other bidders for Tribune. It’s the company’s second go-round on the auction block.

The FCC blocked Tribune’s sale to Sinclair Broadcasting three months ago in what was to be a $3.9 billion deal. The market cap for Tribune, which includes New York-based Wpix-tv and Chicago’s Wgn, is at $3.4 billion.

Tom Hicks Jr., the head of private equity firm Hicks Equity Partners, and head of America First, a super Pac connected with President Trump, has submitted a joint bid for Tribune with Cerberus Capital. The Post reports that Allen’s rival bid has backing from Citigroup and Goldman Sachs.

Also vying for Tribune Media is Nexstar Media Group and Leon Black’s Apollo Global Management.

Longtime distribution executive Mark Borde is leaving his post as president of Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures.

Borde held the post for three years following the 2015 sales of his Freestyle Releasing to Allen who then formed Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures. The distributor’s top performers have been shark thriller “47 Meters Down,” which grossed $44 million domestically; Christian Bale’s western “Hostiles” ($29.8 million); and Ted Kennedy drama “Chappaquidick” ($17 million).

Borde has been a part of the independent movie business as a distributor, a film producer, a theater owner, and as a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences in the Producers Branch.

“Mark Borde, a second-generation movie distribution entrepreneur, co-founded Freestyle Releasing over 17 years ago with the late, great Susan Jackson,” Allen said. “One day at lunch in 2015, Mark graciously agreed to sell me the company, instantly putting our corporation into the movie business. Since acquiring Freestyle,...

Mark Borde, president of the theatrical motion picture distribution unit at Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios, is leaving the company after three years in the position, the company announced Monday.

In 2015, Borde sold his Freestyle Releasing to Allen, who then formed Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures. Borde was an executive producer behind Entertainment Studios’ “47 Meters Down,” Christian Bale’s “Hostiles” and the Ted Kennedy thriller “Chappaquiddick.”

Back in October, TheWrap reported that Entertainment Studios was “aggressively” pursuing mergers after launching an international sales and distribution division and raising $500 million in credit facilities. The company said the money raised would be used for general business purposes: productions, co-productions and acquisitions.

Also Read: Mel Gibson's 'Boss Level' Lands at Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios

Borde has been a part of the independent movie business as a distributor, a film producer, a theater owner, and is a voting member of the Academy.

Mark Borde, for the past three years president of theatrical distribution at Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios, is leaving the company, it said Monday.

In 2015, Borde sold his Freestyle Releasing to Allen, who then formed Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures. Among Es’ highlights have been 47 Meters Down, a film it rescued from Dimension, which originally had plans to put the Mandy Moore movie straight to video. Allen stopped the trucks from delivering the pic’s DVDs to Walmart and ultimately released the movie in June 2017, where it made $44.3 million.

Following that, Entertainment Studios released its Toronto acquisitions Hostiles and Chappaquiddick which grossed $29.8M and $17.4M stateside, respectively. Entertainment Studios’ next release will be the Keanu Reeves sci-fi pic Replicas opening January 11.

The company recently played its documentary Hondros at the Un on Friday. The doc won the Albert Maysles New Documentary Director Award – Special Jury Mention at the Tribeca Film Festival last spring.

Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures’ Byron Allen will take center stage at CinemaCon April 25. He’s scheduled to welcome the National Association of Theatre Owners to the 28,000-square-foot Palace Ballroom for an early breakfast and keynote address.

Unless, you know, he doesn’t.

“I think I’m going to go,” said Allen April 17 from the Culver City set of “Funny You Should Ask.” He produces the gameshow that’s broadcast on his Comedy.TV, one of eight 24-hour networks he owns. That afternoon, he served as audience cheerleader and unofficial director, not only anchoring its quintet of comedian-panelists but also instructing “Baskets” Emmy-winner Louie Anderson and “Saturday Night Live” veteran Jon Lovitz to deliver their set-ups and punchlines again, from the top.

Presuming he does find himself in Vegas, he should find a rapt audience. People want to hear from Allen, if only to figure out what the hell he’s driving at.

The surprise success of shark movie “47 Meters Down” may be the best thing that ever happened to Byron Allen — or, the worst. His Entertainment Studios bought the title moments before Dimension Films shipped the inventory for its DVD premiere, and — with the help of some $30 million in P&A — it made $43 million at the box office this summer.

Now, Allen has spent the last month on a spending spree. Most recently, it’s “Hostiles,” Scott Cooper’s $50 million-budgeted Western starring Christian Bale that premiered at Toronto. The purchase price is unknown, but he’s reportedly committed to an Oscar-qualifying December release and about $15 million in P&A. That’s in addition to “Chappaquiddick,” another Toronto-Oscar title ($4 million acquisition, $16 million P&A) and Keanu Reeves’ sci-fi thriller “Replicas,” which cost $4 million for North America and is not an Oscar title, but comes with the promise of a wide release.

For the struggling indie film market,...

Several years after unleashing clever zombies with an appetite for brains in The Return of the Living Dead, Dan O'Bannon turned his attention to H.P. Lovecraft with The Resurrected, coming to home media in high definition on September 12th, and we've been provided with three Blu-ray copies to give away to lucky Daily Dead readers.

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Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) Blu-ray copy of The Resurrected.

How to Enter: We're giving Daily Dead readers multiple chances to enter and win:

1. Instagram: Following us on Instagram during the contest period will give you an automatic contest entry. Make sure to follow us at:

https://www.instagram.com/dailydead/

2. Email: For a chance to win via email, send an email to contest@dailydead.com with the subject “The Resurrected Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Entry Details: The contest will end at 12:01am Est on September 18th.

Several years after unleashing clever zombies in The Return of the Living Dead, Dan O'Bannon turned his attention to H.P. Lovecraft with The Resurrected, coming to Blu-ray on September 12th with a final list of bonus features that have just been revealed by Scream Factory:

Press Release: Loyal fans of visionary writer/director Dan O’Bannon (The Return of the Living Dead) know well the terrifying thriller from his 1991 cult classic The Resurrected, based on the story by H.P. Lovecraft. The film stars John Terry (Zodiac, Full Metal Jacket), Jane Sibbett (Arrival II), Chris Sarandon (Fright Night), Laurie Briscoe (Breaking Point) and Robert Romanus (Fast Times at Ridgemont High). On September 12, 2017,Scream Factory™ Home Entertainment is proud to presentTHE Resurrected on home entertainment shelves. Available for the first time on Blu-ray™, this definitive release features new 2K transfer, interviews and revealing extras. A must-have for movie collectors, horror enthusiasts and loyal fans,...

Summer is rarely the kindest season for indie film, but this year one title stood out: “47 Meters Down,” released by Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios. The Mandy Moore shark movie, which the distributor rescued from Dimension Films moments before it went direct to DVD, has earned over $42 million in its domestic release. It’s impressive — but Allen scoffed at the idea of becoming the new king of independents.

“I’m not chasing independence, I’m chasing Walt Disney,” he said. “I’m looking for a large piece of that box-office pie, not a tiny piece of that box-office pie.”

Allen, who began as a stand-up comedian, has the ambition to be a modern-day Walt Disney — or, he could be a 21st-century Don Quixote. As founder, chairman, and CEO of Entertainment Studios, Allen makes over $100 million annually syndicating and selling ad time on low-budget shows like “Comics Unleashed” and “We the People With Gloria Allred,...

Want to go to Hell and back without the, you know, going to Hell part? Daily Dead's Hell and Back DVD contest details are after the jump. Also in this round-up: a teaser trailer for The Harvesters, details on the Netflix series Gypsy, and an update on the release of The Abandoned.

Hell and Back DVD Contest: Prize Details: (5) Winners will receive (1) DVD copy of Hell and Back.

How to Enter: For a chance to win, email contest@dailydead.com with the subject “Hell and Back Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Entry Details: The contest will end at 12:01 am Est on January 12th. This contest is only open to those who are eighteen years of age or older that live in the United States. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

Press Release: "Los Angeles, CA (December 3, 2015) – Freestyle Digital Media announced today that...

Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios, Inc., which produces, distributes 38 TV programs worldwide, and owns eight 24-hour HD cable networks, has announced its acquisition of the Los Angeles-based independent film distribution company Freestyle Releasing. Freestyle Releasing is a full-service, theatrical motion picture distribution company that specializes in representing independent films. Co-founded by Mark Borde and the late Susan Jackson, Freestyle Releasing distributes theatrical motion pictures, digital media content through Freestyle Digital Media, and also represents independent film and television producers through its producers representation division, Turtle’s...

Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios, Inc. has acquired indie film distributor Freestyle Releasing, the producer announced Thursday. Es, an entirely African-American owned company, closed the deal for a high eight figures. All 25 FreeStyle employees will remain under the new ownership. Freestyle is a multi-platform effort co-founded by Mark Borde and the late Susan Jackson, with theatrical, VOD and digital streaming arms. The company also has a boutique agency representing film and TV producers called Turtle’s Crossing. Also Read: Judge Reopens Byron Allen's $20 Billion Discrimination Lawsuit Against Al Sharpton, Comcast “We could not be more excited to have Byron Allen add Freestyle Releasing.

Freestyle Releasing, the company co-founded by Mark Borde and the late Susan Jackson, has just been bought by Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios. The acquisition is significant in that Freestyle has an output deal with Netflix and is the distributor behind such faith-based fare as God’s Not Dead and Woodlawn. The company said will distribute about 15 to 20 films per year. Borde and his staff of about 25 are staying on board, which makes sense because the label is Borde…...

Taking the Audience Award at the Austin Film Festival, and the Grand Jury Prize at the Dances With Films Festival, "The Suicide Theory" is a success that has caught the eye of Freestyle Releasing. The independent distributor behind the smash hit "God's Not Dead" has acquired the Australian thriller for a summer release and today we have an exclusive clip from the film. Read More: 5 Australian Directors Of Australian New Cinema Directed by Dru Brown, and starring Steve Mouzakis and Leon Cain, the genre pic brings with it a twisty premise: A despondent man hires a demented killer to assist him in suicide, but for some reason, miraculously survives each attempt on his life. And as you'll see in the scene below it's an eerie situation. “The Suicide Theory is one of those special films that comes along,” said Mark Borde, President of Freestyle. “With outstanding performances and an incredible script,...

Indie distributor Freestyle Releasing will have one of stranger double bills at the box office this weekend, rolling out the Christian drama “Do You Believe?” and the horror comedy “Zombeavers” on Friday. “Imagine the cross-promotions we could have done,” said Mark Borde, distribution chief at Freestyle, which is providing support for that film’s distributor Pure Flix. “Zombeavers Will Dam You to Hell” is the racy romp’s catch phrase, so the marketing team wasn’t far off that, but it’s hard to imagine two more different target audiences. “Do You Believe?” is the follow-up to another faith-based Pure Flix film,...

The weekend is chalk full of new Specialty releases, though most will likely be low performers in terms of dollars at the box office. Entertainment One is opening Nicolas Cage and Hayden Christensen starrer Outcast with limited runs and will likely find tepid returns at the theatrical box office, though it may shine in the digital/on-demand space where it will also bow this weekend. Documentary Ballet 422 (Magnolia Pictures), meanwhile, has had solid buzz heading into the weekend and should score well in its niche market. Monterey Media is hoping to have traction with stars Wes Bentley, Vincent Piazza and Amber Tamblyn as it opens 3 Nights In The Desert in theaters and on-demand, while Freestyle Releasing is targeting the rom-com crowd for its debut, One Small Hitch. Other Specialty openers this weekend include First Run Features’ doc The Other Man: F.W. de Klerk And The End Of Apartheid In South Africa,...

A decade ago, when the Afm forged in to replace Mifed in November, it was a bastion of B-movies with B-List stars hawking themselves in multiple films, and a slew of deals that often didn’t result in anything. Now, with studios only wanting to finance sequels and superhero movies, and requiring partners to fully fund or partly pay for everything else on their slates, indie companies have new currency and are dealing with some of the biggest films in the business, with everyone from Gary Ross (The Free State Of Jones) to Quentin Tarantino (The Hateful 8) in Santa Monica courting foreign buyers.

As it sheds the schlockfest stigma the Afm once bore, attendees are focused on the increased importance of offshore returns and a more disciplined approach to the business. There’s a lot of money in the market, but rigor is key while packaging has become tougher as...

Veteran distributor Susan Jackson, who co-founded indie film distribution label Freestyle Releasing in 2004, died Tuesday morning in Los Angeles after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 54. The UK-born Jackson dove into the distribution game after serving in exec positions in sales, acquisitions and marketing at the Samuel Goldwyn Co, Vestron, Goodtimes, BMG/Bertelsmann, Sony and the BBC. She headed BMG Independents, snagging rights to indie titles for BMG’s North American Video and DVD collection.

In 1999, she founded independent sales company Turtles Crossing in Los Angeles. Three years later, she became more directly involved in filmmaking as executive producer of Eli Roth’s Cabin Fever, which she helped finance and sold to Lionsgate out of the Toronto Film Festival. Similarly, she helped finance, co-produce and sold the Juno Temple starrer Dirty Girl in 2010 out of Tiff.

Jackson co-founded Freestyle Releasing in 2004 with partner Mark Borde, and the company...

The co-founder of Freestyle Releasing and executive producer on Cabin Fever died on Tuesday (October 14) following a long battle with breast cancer. She was 54.

UK-born Jackson, formerly Rosenberg, was surrounded by family and friends in her last days.

Jackson was in distribution for 20 years and served in senior executive roles at The Samuel Goldwyn Company, Vestron, Goodtimes, BMG/Bertelsmann, Sony and the BBC.

Her last corporate job before launching her own company was heading up BMG Independents in New York.

Jackson moved to Los Angeles in 1999 and founded the sales company Turtles Crossing.

Five years later she co-founded with Mark Borde Freestyle Releasing. Some of Freestyle’s most successful releases include The Illusionist, The Haunting Of Molly Hartley, The Collector and most recently the faith-based hit God’s Not Dead. Nicolas Cage starrer Left Behind is currently in theatres.

In 2010, Jackson and Borde launched VOD aggregator Freestyle Digital Media. Freestyle’s business and release pipeline will not...

“Please do not bring unbelievers to this movie,” the Anti-Christ is quoted as saying on the Facebook page for “Left Behind,” the Nicolas Cage thriller about the Biblical Rapture that opens nationwide Friday. It's hard to say at this point, but it appears Satan is going to get his wish. “Left Behind,” a remake of the 2001 film starring Kirk Cameron, is expected to draw a mainly Christian crowd this weekend when it rolls out in 1,785 theaters. An opening in the $10 million range would be heavenly, according to Mark Borde, distribution chief at Freestyle Releasing. Also read: ‘Gone Girl’ Advance Sales.

It seems necessary to begin every post about Jinn by clearing up that it's a different film than Tobe Hooper's next, Djinn. With that out of the way, check out the brand spankin' new teaser art for Jinn - without a "D" - along with a fiery still!

From the Press Release

Detroit-based Exxodus Pictures and Freestyle Releasing announce a North American wide theatrical release date of April 4, 2014, for Jinn, a tension-filled supernatural thriller. The film, written and directed by Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad, was produced by Ahmad, Benjamin Dresser, and Alan Noel Vega and stars Dominic Rains (Flight 93), Serinda Swan (USA’s “Graceland”), Ray Park (Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace), Faran Tahir (Elysium), and William Atherton (Die Hard). Richard Mandell, Najam Syed, and Shahid Syed executive produced the film for Exxodus.

The amazing story of Jinn involves ancient mythological beings that have rarely been explored in Us cinemas.

Just in time for Halloween (how we are starting to Hate that grouping of words) comes a new image from the upcoming flick Jinn, which is not to be confused with Tobe Hooper's Djinn. Check it out right now.

From the Press Release

Detroit-based Exxodus Pictures and Freestyle Releasing announce a North American wide theatrical release date of April 4, 2014, for Jinn, a tension-filled supernatural thriller. The film, written and directed by Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad, was produced by Ahmad, Benjamin Dresser, and Alan Noel Vega and stars Dominic Rains (Flight 93), Serinda Swan (USA’s “Graceland”), Ray Park (Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace), Faran Tahir (Elysium), and William Atherton (Die Hard). Richard Mandell, Najam Syed, and Shahid Syed executive produced the film for Exxodus.

The amazing story of Jinn involves ancient mythological beings that have rarely been explored in Us cinemas. The premise of the jinn concept, known...

Not to be confused with Tobe Hooper's Djinn, word has come this morning that another horrific genie is being let out of the proverbial bottle, and will be wreaking havoc at a theatre near you.

From the Press Release

Detroit-based Exxodus Pictures and Freestyle Releasing announce North American wide theatrical release date of April 4, 2014 for Jinn, a tension filled supernatural thriller. The film, written and directed by Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad was produced by Ahmad, Benjamin Dresser, Alan Noel Vega and stars Dominic Rains (“Flight 93”), Serinda Swan (USA’s “Graceland”), Ray Park (“Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace”), Faran Tahir (“Elysium”) and William Atherton (“Die Hard”). Richard Mandell, Najam Syed and Shahid Syed executive produced the film for Exxodus.

The amazing story of Jinn involves ancient mythological beings that have rarely been explored in Us cinemas. The premise of the jinn concept, known to over 1 billion people around the world,...

Exxodus Pictures and Freestyle Releasing have announced that Jinn will receive a North American wide theatrical release in early 2014:

“Los Angeles, CA (October 15, 2013) – Detroit-based Exxodus Pictures and Freestyle Releasing announce North American wide theatrical release date of April 4, 2014 for Jinn, a tension filled supernatural thriller. The film, written and directed by Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad was produced by Ahmad, Benjamin Dresser, Alan Noel Vega and stars Dominic Rains (“Flight 93”), Serinda Swan (USA’s “Graceland”), Ray Park (“Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace”), Faran Tahir (“Elysium”) and William Atherton (“Die Hard”). Richard Mandell, Najam Syed and Shahid Syed executive produced the film for Exxodus.

The amazing story of Jinn involves ancient mythological beings that have rarely been explored in Us cinemas. The premise of the jinn concept, known to over 1 billion people around the world, involves ghost-like entities and revolves around creation mythology.

Synopsis: In the beginning, three were created.

Last week, Freestyle Releasing acquired the theatrical rights to Jinn, a supernatural thriller that stars Ray Park (Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, X-men) as Gabriel, an awesome looking creature based on folklore. We also have the Firebreather, a “V8, 618 horsepower super exotic American muscle car with 50 limited editions being produced as the exact replica of the vehicle in the film” and based on a fifth generation Chevy Camaro. The film comes from Exxodus Pictures, a Detroit based company, so the car is an ode to the Detroit automobile industry.

Anywho, we have the press release announcing Freestyle’s purchase of Jinn for you below. The movie definitely bears watching.

Los Angeles, CA -Freestyle Releasing has acquired the domestic theatrical rights to Jinn, a tension filled supernatural thriller from Detroit-based Exxodus Pictures. The film, written and directed by Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad, was produced by Ahmad and Benjamin Dresser,...

Los Angeles, CA – Freestyle Releasing has acquired the domestic theatrical rights to Jinn, a tension filled supernatural thriller from Detroit-based Exxodus Pictures. The film, written and directed by Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad, was produced by Ahmad and Benjamin Dresser, and stars Ray Park (“Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace”), Faran Tahir (“Iron Man”, “Star Trek”), William Atherton (“Die Hard”, “Ghostbusters”), Serinda Swan (A&E’s “Breakout Kings”), and Dominic Rains (“Flight 93″). Richard Mandell, Najam Syed and Shahid Syed executive produced the film for Exxodus. A release date for the film will be announced in the forthcoming weeks.

The amazing story of Jinn involves ancient mythological creatures who have never been seen in U.S. cinemas before. The premise of the jinn concept, known to over 1 billion people around the world, involves supernatural entities and revolves around creation mythology: In the beginning, three were created; man made of clay; angels...

It has been announced that Freestyle Releasing has acquired Us theatrical rights to the supernatural thriller, Jinn:

“Freestyle Releasing has acquired the domestic theatrical rights to Jinn, a tension filled supernatural thriller from Detroit-based Exxodus Pictures. The film, written and directed by Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad, was produced by Ahmad and Benjamin Dresser, and stars Ray Park (“Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace”), Faran Tahir (“Iron Man”, “Star Trek”), William Atherton (“Die Hard”, “Ghostbusters”), Serinda Swan (A & E’s “Breakout Kings”), and Dominic Rains (“Flight 93″). Richard Mandell, Najam Syed and Shahid Syed executive produced the film for Exxodus. A release date for the film will be announced in the forthcoming weeks.

The amazing story of Jinn involves ancient mythological creatures who have never been seen in U.S. cinemas before. The premise of the jinn concept, known to over 1 billion people around the world, involves supernatural entities and...

Mythological creatures. Hot cars. William Atherton. Yep, we're sold. Read on for the first details and images from the new flick coming our way from the lovable loonies over at Freestyle Releasing, Jinn!

From the Press Release

Freestyle Releasing has acquired the domestic theatrical rights to Jinn, a tension filled supernatural thriller from Detroit-based Exxodus Pictures. The film, written and directed by Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad, was produced by Ahmad and Benjamin Dresser, and stars Ray Park ("Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace"), Faran Tahir ("Iron Man", "Star Trek"), William Atherton ("Die Hard", "Ghostbusters"), Serinda Swan (A & E's "Breakout Kings"), and Dominic Rains ("Flight 93"). Richard Mandell, Najam Syed and Shahid Syed executive produced the film for Exxodus. A release date for the film will be announced in the forthcoming weeks.

The amazing story of Jinn involves ancient mythological creatures who have never been seen in U.S. cinemas before.

Freestyle Digital Media and Hawaii Film Partners Distribution have joined forces to release the new tropical adventure-comedy-romance You May Not Kiss The Bride, written and directed by Rob Hedden (.Clockstoppers.). The film, which was produced by Rann Watumull, Gina Watumull, David Jackson and Shauna Shapiro Jackson, stars Katharine McPhee (.Smash.), Dave Annable (.Brothers and Sisters.), Rob Schneider (.Grown Ups.), Mena Suvari (.American Beauty.) and Kathy Bates (.Midnight in Paris.). You May Not Kiss The Bride is slated for a red carpet destination premiere in Honolulu, with its U.S. mainland theatrical release to follow in additional markets including Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas.

You May Not Kiss The Bride is a charming tale of adventurous high jinx and budding romance involving an unassuming pet photographer (Annable) who is thrown head first into a series of unforeseeable events when he’s forced to marry a Croatian mobster.s daughter (McPhee) and...

Freestyle Releasing has acquired U.S. rights to Yam Laranas’ horror film The Road, which it will release day-and-date in theaters in 16 markets and on digital platforms on May 11. Photos: Europe's Horror Fetish The film, in Filipino and English, involves the investigation into a 12-year-old case that is reopened when three teenagers vanish on an abandoned road. The deal was brokered by Mark Borde, Co-President of Freestyle Releasing and Susan Jackson, CEO of Freestyle Digital Media with Annette Gozon-Abrogar of Gma Films and Laranas, who is also a producer of the film.

read more...

Freestyle Releasing and Freestyle Digital Media will give Filipino thriller "The Road" a day-and-date theatrical and VOD release May 11. Directed by Yam Laranas ("Sigaw"), "The Road" begins when three teenagers vanish on an infamous abandoned road. Investigators unearth the road’s past that includes a two-decade history of abduction, crimes and murder. "The Road" is an official selection at the 30th Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, which begins April 5. Mark Borde, co-president of Freestyle Releasing, and Susan Jackson, CEO of Freestyle Digital Media, made the deal with Annette Gozon-Abrogar of Gma Films and Laranas.

Freestyle Digital Media (Fdm) has set March 6, 2012 for the Us release of Deadheads, the Best Horror Film Winner at the Traverse City Film Festival 2011 and Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking Winner at the Newport Beach Film Festival 2011. Brett and Drew T. Pierce wrote and directed the film, as well as produced alongside Andy Drummond and Kevin Van Hagen. Deadheads will be available via Fdm.s distribution partners that include the iTunes. store, Amazon, Vudu, DirecTV, Dish Networks, Blockbuster.com, Best Buy CinemaNow, Sony Psn, YouTube, and most cable VOD services. Available for DVD rental at Blockbuster and Family Video.

Deadheads’, starring Michael McKiddy and Ross Kidder, is a return to the great comedy/adventure films of the 80′s. The story follows two zombie slackers, Mike and Brent, who find themselves surprisingly reborn from the dead amid a disastrous zombie outbreak. After discovering an engagement ring in his coat pocket, Mike enlists his new found zombie pal,...

by MoreHorror.com

From we've seen so far, the upcoming dark thriller Donner Pass looks to take a fresh twist on the old legend.

If you are interested in screening this flick via a "virtual online movie theater" with talent and filmmakers, then you might be interested in this.

Check out all the details below, seems promising.

From The Official Release:

Constellation TV, Freestyle Digital Media & Arroyo Filmworks are pleased to announce five special screenings of the dark thriller, Donner Pass. Beginning January 11th, a special five-day series of event screenings willtake place on Constellation (www.constellation.tv), the leading innovator of virtual online movie theater experiences.

This unique concept is delivering on Freestyle’s mandate to reach every corner of the market by leveraging “FreeStyle Social Cinema” using social network platforms and capitalizing on the power and reach of web-connected video. Donner Pass is one of several titles included...

Ray Grigg's politically charged documentary "I Want Your Money," will be receive a U.S. nationwide theatrical roll-out this fall via Freestyle Releasing. In a stragetic move, Freestyle plans to release the film on October 15, when election season shifts into high gear. “With a plethora of left wing documentaries it’s great to be able to offer the public the other point of view," said Freestyle Releasing Presidents and Co-Founders Mark Borde ...

Expanding from its rent-a-system roots, Freestyle Releasing has splashed out a seven-figure sum for U.S. distribution rights to assassin thriller "Wild Target," starring Bill Nighy and Emily Blunt.

Directed by Jonathan Lynn ("The Whole Nine Yards"), "Target" was produced by Martin Pope and Michael Rose via U.K.-based CinemaNX. The acquisition is Freestyle's first all-u.S. rights acquisition, on which it partnered with Joanne Storkan of Honest Engine Films.

Freestyle will begin the pic's platform rollout on Oct. 8.

"Target" follows the story of a middle-aged assassin (Nighy) drawn to one of his intended victims (Blunt). Additional cast include Rupert Everett and Rupert Grint, best known for his recurring role in the "Harry Potter" film series.

Freestyle co-toppers Mark Borde and Susan Jackson said in a statement the deal signals the company's diversification into film acquisition and distribution after a six-year history as a distributor-for-hire.

Borde negotiated the deal...

Zac Efron as a serious young dramatic actor? If you've only seen him in the High School Musical series or Hairspray or 17 Again, then you'll probably think I'm joking. But Efron (currently ranked # 23 at the Top 50 Hitlist) is apparently trying to be just that. As one of the most popular young Hollywood stars, he certainly got the access to read some fantastic and career-defining roles and all he has to do is make it happen - that is, make sure he got the part and played the role to a T. Not so easy right? Yeah, it's not and the one film that would allow him to show everyone that he means business has yet to be released.

- - -

- - - That problem appeared to be solved already. Says the La Times:

A year ago, when "Me and Orson Welles" made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival,...

Zac Efron as a serious young dramatic actor? If you've only seen him in the High School Musical series or Hairspray or 17 Again, then you'll probably think I'm joking. But Efron (currently ranked # 23 at the Top 50 Hitlist) is apparently trying to be just that. As one of the most popular young Hollywood stars, he certainly got the access to read some fantastic and career-defining roles and all he has to do is make it happen - that is, make sure he got the part and played the role to a T. Not so easy right? Yeah, it's not and the one film that would allow him to show everyone that he means business has yet to be released.

- - -

- - - That problem appeared to be solved already. Says the La Times:

A year ago, when "Me and Orson Welles" made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival,...

Zac Efron as a serious young dramatic actor? If you've only seen him in the High School Musical series or Hairspray or 17 Again, then you'll probably think I'm joking. But Efron (currently ranked # 23 at the Top 50 Hitlist) is apparently trying to be just that. As one of the most popular young Hollywood stars, he certainly got the access to read some fantastic and career-defining roles and all he has to do is make it happen - that is, make sure he got the part and played the role to a T. Not so easy right? Yeah, it's not and the one film that would allow him to show everyone that he means business has yet to be released.

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- - - That problem appeared to be solved already. Says the La Times:

A year ago, when "Me and Orson Welles" made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival,...

Zac Efron as a serious young dramatic actor? If you've only seen him in the High School Musical series or Hairspray or 17 Again, then you'll probably think I'm joking. But Efron (currently ranked # 23 at the Top 50 Hitlist) is apparently trying to be just that. As one of the most popular young Hollywood stars, he certainly got the access to read some fantastic and career-defining roles and all he has to do is make it happen - that is, make sure he got the part and played the role to a T. Not so easy right? Yeah, it's not and the one film that would allow him to show everyone that he means business has yet to be released.

- - -

- - - That problem appeared to be solved already. Says the La Times:

A year ago, when "Me and Orson Welles" made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival,...

Universal's "Funny People," a film about stand-up comics with serious problems, staged a good-humored weekend bow estimated at $23.4 million.

But that was on the lower end of industry expectations for the Adam Sandler-starring dramatic comedy, which will be watched for drawing power during coming weeks. Industry consensus maintains summer-laggard Uni needed not only to open the R-rated "Funny" well but also to sustain positive word-of-mouth.

Its first-frame tally gains luster when viewed among lackluster results elsewhere in the limp boxoffice session. The weekend's top 10 rung up $106 million, or 25% less than top performers in the same frame last year, according to Nielsen Edi.

As for the other openers, Fox's "Aliens in the Attic" arrived in fifth place with $7.8 million, down in the cellar of prerelease forecasts for family action fantasy, and Freestyle Releasing's R-rated horror film "The Collector" missed the top 10, collecting just $3.6 million.

After topping the previous weekend's rankings,...

The boxoffice weekend is shaping up as a tale of two genres.

A trio of studios will be singing "We Are Family" again this weekend at domestic multiplexes. But the No. 1 pic is likely to be "Funny People," an R-rated comedy in a continuation of another recent theatrical trend.

The family-friendly films "G-Force," "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" nabbed three of the top five spots in the most recent boxoffice rankings, so one might think that the moms-and-kids segment is saturated. But so far this summer, parents have shown boundless enthusiasm for rounding up the tots for a couple hours of air-conditioned diversion.

Fox's family-targeting adventure fantasy "Aliens in the Attic," which opens Friday, mixes CGI extraterrestrials into predominantly live-action shenanigans. Originally scheduled for a spring bow, "Aliens" -- then titled "They Came from Upstairs" -- was delayed after the studio decided...

Fox's remake of the sci-fi classic "The Day the Earth Stood Still" survived critics' toxic attacks in weekend-winning style, as the Keanu Reeves starrer landed atop the domestic boxoffice with an estimated $31 million in opening grosses.

Overture's urban laugher "Nothing Like the Holidays" debuted much more modestly, with $3.5 million in seventh place. And Freestyle's animated adventure "Delgo" never got started, debuting with just $916,000.

Warner Bros.' comedy "Four Christmases" nabbed second place over its third outing with $13.3 million and an $88 million cume. Summit's vampire romance "Twilight" finished third over its fourth frame with an $8 million performance and a $150.1 million cume.

Two wide releases tumbled from the top 10 during their second weekends. Sony's Chess Records musical "Cadillac Records" fell 54% to $1.6 million for a 10-day cume of $5.9 million, while Lionsgate's action sequel "Punisher: War Zone" slid a big 68% to $1.7 million with a $7 million cume.

Industrywide, the weekend's $93 million in collective grosses marked...

Talk about having to work harder just to keep ahead.

Disney's teens-and-tweens phenom "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" this weekend again topped the boxoffice class but marked a big 64% decline from its week-earlier opening grosses. The Zac Efron starrer registered an estimated $15 million sophomore session for a 10-day domestic cume of $61.8 million.

Halloween activities hurt all comers, inflicting even more pain than some distributors anticipated. Three films were tightly grouped around second place in preliminary rankings:

-- The Weinstein Co.'s R-rated comedy "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, opened with $10.7 million.

-- Lionsgate horror sequel "Saw V" saw a bloody 66% drop over its second weekend, to $10.1 million and a $45.8 million cume.

-- Universal expanded wide Clint Eastwood's Angelina Jolie starrer "Changeling" to fetch $9.4 million, with a $10.1 million cume.

Elsewhere, Freestyle Releasing's PG-13 horror film "The Haunting of Holly Hartley" bowed with $6 million in fifth place.

Once more with feeling?

Friday's trick or treating could tie up a few prospective movie patrons, but it's hard to see how Disney's "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" can be kept from repeating atop the weekend boxoffice. A 50% drop would see "HSM3" fetch $21 million this session, and it's unlikely either of the frame's wide openers will top that.

The Weinstein Co.'s R-rated comedy "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" seems to be tracking well enough in prerelease surveys of prospective patrons to produce an opening in the teen millions. But it appears Freestyle Releasing's PG-13 horror film "The Haunting of Molly Hartley" could be hurt enough by Halloween diversions that even a $10 million opening proves out of reach.

Meantime, Lionsgate's "Saw V" is likely to drop at least a bit further than 50% from last weekend's $30 million debut. The R-rated sequel still could grab second place during its sophomore...

Lionsgate has signed a three-year production and distribution deal with After Dark Films, the company from filmmaker Courtney Solomon and financier Allan Zeman, who produced the indie boxoffice hit An American Haunting. The deal calls for ADF to supply Lionsgate with multiple wide release films each year and as many as two specialty films a year, with ADF putting up the P&A expenses. Lionsgate will retain ancillary rights to all the films. Also, as ADF ramps up its production operations, Lionsgate and After Dark also will co-produce films with P&A to be determined for each film. ADF also will produce and acquire its own films for wide release through its alliance with Mark Borde and Mike Doban's Freestyle Releasing, which will serve as ADF's distribution arm. Lionsgate will retain all ancillary rights to this product as well. ADF will manage its own P&A and marketing for these films under the leadership of Solomon and vp creative affairs Stephanie Caleb.

Freestyle Releasing, the fledgling independent distribution and marketing company started late last year, announced its first slate of theatrical releases Wednesday for the spring. Founded by Susan Jackson, Mark Borde and Mike Doban, Freestyle's first release will be Dot the I set to bow Friday. The film, starring Gael Garcia Bernal, is a suspense drama set in London. The film opened in late 2003 to decent grosses in Spain and Mexico. "There is not a huge amount of P&A available for films released outside of the studio system," Jackson said. "We are trying to find films with target audiences that we can reach in a smart way." The executive called Dot the I a stylish art house release that will reach the Latino market.

Freestyle Releasing -- a Santa Monica-based domestic theatrical distribution and marketing company recently formed by Susan Jackson, Mark Borde and Mike Doban -- has acquired all North American distribution rights to Fighting Tommy Riley, the feature directorial debut of Eddie O'Flaherty. The film, which stars J.P. Davis and Eddie Jones, picked up the Kodak Award for Cinematography for Michael Fimognari's work at the just-concluded 2004 Hamptons International Film Festival. Based on a screenplay written by Davis, the film was financed and produced by Bettina Tendler O'Mara's Visualeyes Prods. and Jellyworks. Sales in the foreign market are being handled by CURB Entertainment.