News

On the eve of the EFM Screen has learned that US distributor Giant Pictures is launching an international sales division.

Giant Pictures general manager, Nick Savva, Tom Bairstow formerly of Sony Pictures Television Europe, and former Cinedigm president Bill Sondheim will lead the new venture and head to Berlin with an inaugural slate that includes Alex Braverman’s 2023 Venice and Telluride Andy Kaufman documentary Thank You Very Much.

The sales roster includes martial arts action title Absolute Dominion from Green Street Hooligans director Lexi Alexander, 2023 Lido selection and boxing drama The Featherweight from Robert Kolodny, and absurdist comedy and 2024 Fantastic...

Exclusive: Here’s your first trailer for thriller The Most Dangerous Game, a remake of the 1930s classic.

Starring are Tom Berenger (Platoon), Chris “Ct” Tamburello (MTV’s The Challenge), two-time Oscar nominee Bruce Dern (Nebraska), Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club) and Caspar Van Dien (Starship Troopers).

North America home entertainment firm Mill Creek Entertainment is co-producer, marking their first co-pro on a scripted feature, and will release stateside in early August. The Koenig Pictures production was made in association with Charach Productions.

The original “man hunting man” story gets a twist as father and son are washed ashore after their steamership explodes. The men find refuge on a mysterious island where their nefarious host, Baron Von Wolf, reveals to them that the island is his game preserve where human beings serve as the ultimate hunt. Berenger plays a man who has been hiding on the island but whose sanity...

Tom Berenger, Bruce Dern, Judd Nelson star.

UK-based sales firm 101 Films International has boarded worldwide sales excluding North America for Justin Lee’s remake of 1930s survival thriller The Most Dangerous Game.

The film follows a shipwreck survivor on a mysterious island being hunted by a nefarious Baron, who uses the island as a game to hunt humans.

It stars Tom Berenger and Chris ‘C.T.’ Tamburello, alongside Bruce Dern, Judd Nelson and Caspar Van Dien.

101 is launching sales on the title at this week’s online European Film Market, having secured the rights from US producers Greenfield Media.

The Most Dangerous Game...

Exclusive: Two-time Oscar nominee Bruce Dern (Nebraska), Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club) and Caspar Van Dien (Starship Troopers) have joined Tom Berenger (Platoon) and Chris “Ct” Tamburello (MTV’s The Challenge) in thriller The Most Dangerous Game, a remake of the 1930s classic.

North America home ent firm Mill Creek Entertainment has joined the project as a co-producer, marking their first co-pro on a scripted feature. Mill Creek will oversee the North American release of the film.

The Koenig Pictures production, which is being made in association with Charach Productions, is currently in production and is aiming for a summer 2022 release. Today we can reveal some first look images for the film.

The original “man hunting man” story gets a twist as father and son are washed ashore after their steamership explodes. The men find refuge on a mysterious island where their nefarious host, Baron Von Wolf, reveals to them...

Exclusive: Chris ‘Ct’ Tamburello (MTV’s The Challenge) and Oscar nominee Tom Berenger (Platoon) have been set to star in a remake of 1930s classic The Most Dangerous Game.

The original “man hunting man” story gets a twist as father and son are washed ashore after their steamership explodes. The men find refuge on a mysterious island where their nefarious host, Baron Von Wolf, reveals to them that the island is his game preserve where human beings serve as the ultimate hunt. Berenger plays a man who has been hiding on the island but who’s sanity is on the verge of collapse.

Writer-director Justin Lee (Final Kill) is currently in production on the project which is being filmed on the Koenig Pictures Backlot in the Pacific Northwest. Other cast members include Elissa Dowling, Kevin Porter, Eddie Finlay and Randy Charach.

Koenig Pictures is producing the picture alongside Quiet On Set,...

Exclusive: Giant Pictures has entered a multi-year deal with Drafthouse Films to co-release upcoming theatrical and streaming titles. Giant will also handle sales and distribution for the acclaimed Drafthouse Films catalog.

Curated by the genre-driven Alamo Drafthouse, the Drafthouse Films catalog includes more than 40 titles that will be available to stream on multiple platforms in the US and Canada. All of the titles under the deal will also be available on the Alamo on Demand streaming platform.

“We got to know the team at Giant during the launch of Action USA last year and hit it off,” said Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League. “I can think of no better home for the Drafthouse Films library and look forward to partnering to release both forgotten classics and new discoveries.”

Drafthouse Films will be acquiring new titles for their new partnership with Giant Pictures. The titles will include dedicated releasing support from Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.

Cinedigm, which has been redirecting its focus from cinema equipment to streaming video, said Content Entertainment Group President Bill Sondheim is exiting the company.

Yolanda Macias, who is Evp of the group, and Svp Dan Coyle, will now oversee the content division.

The executive reshuffling follows the announcement last month that Cinedigm is acquiring ad-supported streaming platform Future Today Inc.

Macías, a Cinedigm exec since 2013, has previously held posts at DirecTV, Technicolor and Disney. Coyle, who also joined the company in 2013, had executive roles at Gaiam, which was acquired by Cinedigm, and before that at Goodtimes Entertainment.

Sondheim will remain a consultant at Cindedigm. “I’d like to thank Cinedigm Chairman and CEO Chris McGurk for providing me with some incredible experiences and growth opportunities over the past five years,” he said. Chris has charted a smart and bold strategic direction for Cinedigm with his commitment to expand digital channels...

Thai and Chinese content following the Korean wave into regional markets.

The edgier local-language content that is being produced by Asia’s streaming platforms is starting to travel around the region, and even internationally, said speakers at Filmart’s ‘Global Appetite for Asia’s Ott platforms’ panel on Monday.

Thawatvongse Silamanonda, Thailand country manager for pan-Asian platform Viu, explained how the company started out by streaming Korean content region across the region, but is now finding that its Thai productions are starting to travel as well: “We’re always talking to the Thai broadcasters about how we can make Thai...

Los Angeles-based content aggregator and distributor Cinedigm has signed a non-exclusive licensing deal to screen nearly four dozen movies from China Lion Film Distribution on Bambu, a content-streaming platform focused on Chinese-language content. Bambu is expected to launch by mid-year.

The China Lion titles will be part of Bambu’s launch lineup, and will target North American Gen Z and millennial viewers. The titles include blockbuster “Detective Chinatown”; China’s unlikely selection for 2016’s Oscar race, “Go Away, Mr. Tumor”; well-received comedy “Mr. Donkey”; and the Jackie Chan-starring “Namiya,” among others.

In early December, Cinedigm announced a partnership with China International TV Corp., a subsidiary of state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), to put more than 500 hours of Chinese TV content on the platform. Titles in that deal included “Nirvana in Fire,” China’s most popular series in 2015; the classic “Journey to the West” series; and CCTV’s popular food documentary series,...

Los Angeles-based content aggregator and distributor Cinedigm will partner with China International TV Corporation (Citvc) to bring 500 hours of Chinese content to American viewers on Bambu, its digital channel devoted to Chinese-language material set to launch early next year. Citvc is a subsidiary of state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), and is one of the country’s most influential media groups.

The deal, touted by Cinedigm as a “cornerstone” of its content strategy for Bambu, will give American fans of Chinese entertainment access to shows like CCTV’s runaway-hit documentary series “A Bite of China,” which serves up mouth-watering footage of specialty foods and their preparation from across the country, and the immensely popular 2015 historical drama “Nirvana in Fire,” described by some as China’s “Game of Thrones.” Older classics like “Journey to the West,” the most-watched show in Chinese TV history, will also stream. Most of the content will be dubbed into English.

Cinedigm is teaming with the powerhouse China International TV Corp. to bring more than 500 hours of popular Chinese content to the U.S. for its forthcoming digital channel Bambu.

The Chinese content digital channel, which will feature programming mostly dubbed into English, will launch in early 2019. Cinedigm already operates nine Ott channels, including Docurama and CONtv, which covers Comic Con gatherings around the country. The Bambu service is expected to cost $4.99 a month, and will be available via major streaming devices and pay-tv carriage.

In September, Cinedigm CEO and Hollywood studio veteran Chris McGurk described Bambu as a “giant beta test” that will be continually tweaked based on consumption patterns. Cinedigm, which is owned by Hong Kong investment firm Bison Holdings, enjoys a rare degree of access to the lucrative Chinese market.

Among the Citvc titles are some of the highest-rated shows to air in China in recent years. Among...

Cinedigm has reached an agreement with Chinese video streaming giant Youku to distribute 30 of its original feature films in North America, a significant milestone in Los Angeles-based firm’s efforts to distribute contemporary Chinese-language content in the U.S.

Under their partnership, Cinedigm will attempt to secure online and television distribution for a package of films targeting a millennial audience, and spanning genres, including urban thrillers, sci-fi fantasy, horror and costume fantasy. Youku’s movies also will be included in Cinedigm’s forthcoming Chinese-focused streaming channel, Bambu, which launches later this year.

“These films offer a unique and exclusive viewing opportunity for fans of new production styles and emerging Asian creative talent that is quickly evolving into an important film genre,” said Cinedigm Entertainment Group President Bill Sondheim.

This is not the first time Youku has sought to cultivate American audiences for its original programming. Last year, Netflix acquired worldwide...

Exclusive: The Los Angeles-based distributor is in Cannes meeting potential partners about a range of distribution opportunities that go beyond its traditional and ongoing North American operations.

The development follows news first reported here last week that Cinedigm was acting as exclusive sales agent at the Cannes event on a slate of content from Rooster Teeth.

“We always used Mipcom primarily to identify TV and film properties and look to acquire rights,” said Cinedigm Entertainment Group president Bill Sondheim.

“This Mipcom is quite different for us and we will still have our eyes out for that kind of content and those distribution opportunities, but [what we plan do to] is a reflection of how we have pivoted into this digital world. It’s a natural expansion and our first major foray into international rights exploitation.

“We have the global base of partners we have worked with for many years like Amazon and Netflix, but what we’re focused on is establishing relationships...

Cinedigm Corp has acquired a minority stake as the partners prepare to relaunch Shout! Factory’s Avod Ott channel Shout! Factory TV.

The channel is focused on classic TV and films in an Svod and freemium Avod model.

The companies will extend Cinedigm’s existing home entertainment distribution contract covering Shout! Factory’s library of content.

Cinedigm chairman and CEO Chris McGurk, Cinedigm Entertainment Group president Bill Sondheim and Shout! Factory founders Richard Foos (CEO), Bob Emmer (COO) and Garson Foos (president) made the announcement.

“Shout! Factory has been our long-time partner and we are thrilled to make an investment in this innovative and forward-looking multimedia entertainment company,” said McGurk.

“This new relationship benefits all aspects of Cinedigm’s business and adds Shout! Factory’s classic pop culture-themed Ott channels to our digital network roster that now includes CONtv, Docurama and the upcoming Dove Channel.”

The Shout! Factory founders said the investment offered a chance to up the...

The executive recently served as vice-president and will continue to report to Cinedigm Entertainment Group president Bill Sondheim.

In her expanded role, Nunes will be responsible for physical and digital operational management and oversight of third-party vendors who perform distribution, procurement, forecasting, inventory control, and manufacturing functions for Cinedigm.

Prior to joining the company, Nunes was vice-president of operations at Gaiam Vivendi Entertainment (which Cinedigm acquired in 2014) overseeing the growth and development of the physical distribution area as well as leading the integrations after acquisition. 

Before that she worked at Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Roger Corman fans are familiar with at least a few of them, movie memorabilia collectors have hung posters of them on their walls for decades, and some first saw them at double bill matinees on Saturdays or summer nights at the drive-in. If you have fond memories of watching the pulpy onscreen offerings of American International Pictures from the bucket seat of a Buick or the comfortable cushions of your own couch, then you might be pleased to know that ten of the company’s titles have been acquired by Cinedigm and will be remade as individual films linked together by one massive story arc.

Girls in Prison, Viking Women and The Sea Serpent, The Brain Eaters, The She-Creature, Teenage Caveman, Reform School Girl, The Undead, War of the Colossal Beast, The Cool and The Crazy, and Day the World Ended will all be reimagined, with filming slated to start...

Cinedigm has signed a 10-film deal with Lou Arkoff, Jeff Katz and Hal Sadoff to reinvent a series of American International Pictures (Aip) classics from the 1950s including The Brain Eaters and Girls In Prison.

The trio first introduced the Aip remake slate in Cannes 2013 and have earmarked a September start, planning to shoot all ten titles back-to-back.

Katz has written every screenplay and the stories will feed into an over-arching arc. Cast and directors are expected to be announced shortly.

Cinedigm will release the films theatrically and via DVD, digital, TV and non-theatrical formats. The films will also featured on Cinedigm’s nascent digital network CONtv.

The ten titles are: Girls In Prison; Viking Women & The Sea Serpent; The Brain Eaters; She-Creature; Teenage Caveman; Reform School Girl; The Undead; War Of The Colossal Beast; The Cool & The Crazy; and Day The World Ended.

“In a unique twist on the current film-making model, all ten films...

Paul Gardner has transitioned from a consulting role to the new position of managing director Canada.

Effective immediately, Gardner (pictured) will oversee all Cinedigm Entertainment Group Canadian distribution activities including the DVD distribution deal with Universal Home Entertainment Canada.

He will report to Cinedigm Entertainment Group president Bill Sondheim.

“Paul is a results-driven executive with over 25 years in film distribution in both the United States and Canada,” said Sondheim.

“We are delighted that he will now move ‘in house’ to manage and guide our theatrical, DVD, VOD, Svod, digital and broadcast business in the territory.”

Gardner previously held senior management positions at Cineplex Entertainment, Artisan Entertainment and Lionsgate Entertainment.

Back in August, we reported that Fight of the Living Dead, an original competition series in which YouTube stars try to survive a simulated zombie apocalypse, would air on CONtv, a streaming network from Cinedigm and Wizard World that launches early next year, and now a long list of movie / TV titles that will air on the network has been revealed, including The Evil Dead, Hellraiser, and Re-Animator.

Press Release – “(Los Angeles, CA) December 11, 2014 – CONtv today announced an expansive portfolio of acquired film and television content that will be available on the new digital network. Launching in early 2015, the direct-to-consumer digital service geared specifically for fans in the Comic Con community, will also include the previously announced original program “Fight of the Living Dead,” a horror-competition series from Alpine Labs, BlackBoxTV and Revolver Picture Company. CONtv plans to announce additional programming initiatives, original series and talent partnerships in the coming weeks.