Vivendi signs deal for IndieVest films
PHYSICAL: Pact includes all home entertainment rights
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 10/27/2009
OCT. 27 | PHYSICAL: Vivendi Entertainment has partnered with IndieVest Pictures on a multi-film output deal, which includes the February 2010 theatrical release Saint John of Las Vegas.
Under the agreement’s terms, Vivendi will control U.S. home entertainment rights to films produced by IndieVest, which will oversee their domestic theatrical distribution. Vivendi plans to handle DVD, Blu-ray Disc, TV, video-on-demand, Web-based transactions and mobile business for IndieVest films.
IndieVest expects to produce six to eight films each year and focus on broad, cast-driven stories.
Saint John stars Steve Buscemi as a man who goes on a comedic, life-changing trip. Sarah Silverman, Peter Dinklage, John Cho and Emmanuelle Chriqui are among others in the film. The DVD street date hasn’t yet been specified.
“IndieVest is committed to high-quality independent filmmaking,” said Tom O’Malley, Vivendi president. “Their team has a passion and a sensibility that fits perfectly with Vivendi Entertainment’s continued commitment to bringing diverse and original films to the marketplace.”
IndieVest president Mark Burton said, “We are creating a multi-genre, commercially driven, production slate that guarantees our filmmakers theatrical distribution and can’t imagine a better home entertainment partner than Vivendi Entertainment to bring our titles to the largest possible audiences. Their enthusiasm for our slate and their strong reputation in the entertainment industry made them the clear choice.”
Vivendi’s alignment with IndieVest follows its recent high-profile acquisition of Genius Products’ core distribution operations. Beginning last month, Vivendi increased its title portfolio by more than 200% with the Genius deal, landing distribution rights to The Weinstein Co. catalog and the World Wrestling Entertainment brand, among other properties.
Vivendi also distributes labels Shout! Factory, Salient and Codeblack.
