SHOWTIME NETWORKS AND IFC FILMS ANNOUNCE FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION OF THEATRICAL OUTPUT DEAL
Network Acquires Exclusive Multi-Platform Exhibition Rights
For Films In The Premium Television Window Including Oscar(R) Nominee Boyhood
Television Debut Of Boyhood To Air This Saturday, April 25 At 8 PM ET/PT On SHOWTIME(R)
New York, NY - April 23, 2015 - Today, Showtime Networks Inc. and IFC Films announced a new exclusive theatrical output agreement that extends the companies' existing deal to cover films theatrically distributed by IFC Films through 2021. Showtime Networks subscribers will be able to watch IFC Films' titles in the premium television window across all platforms including the network's multiplex channels, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND(R) and SHOWTIME ANYTIME(R). The deal includes the acclaimed Sundance Film Festival titles D Train and Sleeping With Other People, and the Golden Globe(R)-winning and Oscar(R)-nominated Best Picture Boyhood, which will make its television debut on Saturday, April 25 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME(R). The announcement was made today by Gary Garfinkel, Senior Vice President, Content Acquisition and Kent Sevener, Senior Vice President, Content Acquisition and Business & Legal Affairs, Showtime Networks Inc.
"IFC Films has become a major player in the independent theatrical distribution business and it is very exciting to extend our partnership with them," said Garfinkel and Sevener. "We're thrilled to expand and further diversify the Showtime Networks theatrical portfolio for years to come with IFC Films' rich slate."
"We are thrilled to have our films play alongside Showtime's award-winning original programs. Their partnership approach over the last six years has been a major contributor to the size and acclaim of our slate," said Lisa Schwartz, Executive Vice President, Distribution, Operations and Business Development, IFC Films and Sundance Selects.
Filmed over 12 years with the same cast and written and directed by five-time Oscar(R) nominee Richard Linklater, Boyhood is a groundbreaking story as seen through the eyes of a boy named Mason (a breakthrough performance by Ellar Coltrane), who literally goes from a child to a young adult before our eyes. Universally embraced by critics and showered with awards since its release, the film stars Oscar and Golden Globe winner Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater and four-time Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke. Boyhood received six Academy Award(R) nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Ethan Hawke, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for Patricia Arquette, which she won. The film was also nominated for five Golden Globe Awards earlier this year, and was honored with major wins including Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress for Arquette. The film and its actors and creative team were also the recipients of countless prestigious awards including the AFI Award for Movie of the Year, BAFTA Award for Best Film, the Audience Award at the Gotham Awards, the Independent Spirit Awards for Best Director and Best Supporting Female, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, among many others.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) and FLIX(R), as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2(TM), SHOWTIME(R) SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME(R), SHOWTIME BEYOND(R), SHOWTIME NEXT(R), SHOWTIME WOMEN(R), SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE(R) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD(TM), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND(R) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) ON DEMAND, and the network's authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME(R). SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks(TM), a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel(TM). SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV(R).
Established in 2000 and based in New York City, IFC Films, along with sister labels Sundance Selects and IFC Midnight, is a leading U.S. distributor of quality talent-driven independent film. Recent successes include Oscar-winning BOYHOOD (IFC Films) from writer-director Richard Linklater; Oscar-nominated TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT (Sundance Selects) starring Marion Cotillard; Oscar-nominated documentary FINDING VIVIAN MAIER (IFC Films); critical and commercial smash THE BABADOOK (IFC Midnight); and Michael Winterbottom's THE TRIP TO ITALY (IFC Films) starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon. Some of the company's other notable releases over the years have included Joel Zwick's MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, Michael Moore's FAHRENHEIT 9/11, Lena Dunham's TINY FURNITURE, Noah Baumbach's FRANCES HA and Alfonso Cuaron's Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN. IFC Films, Sundance Selects and IFC Midnight are owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc.
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