In a move designed to "fill an important gap" between film production and theatrical release, Kansas City, Mo.-based AMC Entertainment Inc. is broadening its sector within the industry with two separate distribution deals. One lays a path with Open Road. The other is Bloody and Disgusting. Each looks like good news for independent filmmakers.
The deals, announced in early March, are a response to what AMC CEO Gerry Lopez calls a major decline in studio releases in recent years. As a result, AMC partnered with Knoxville, Tenn.-based Regal Entertainment Group to launch a distribution company focused on festival and international films that are polished enough for wide distribution. According to reports, distribution options will go beyond AMC and Regal venues..
The venture, called Open Roads Films, is aiming to distribute eight to 10 movies a year and release its first film later this year. According to the Los Angeles Times, the venture has been in the works since last fall.
While reports say Open Roads won't get involved in movie development or production, the company might be inclined to commit to a distribution deal early on in the movie-making process for projects with promising attributes like high-profile actors or directors.
AMC's other deal partners with BloodyandDisgusting.com, a division of entertainment management and content company The Collective, based in Beverly Hills, Calif.. This deal focuses on the same indie filmmaker bent as the Open Road deal, but is niched in the horror and thriller genre.
Beginning in May, AMC schedule the BloodyandDisgusting films in 32 venues around the country - locally, the horror screenings will be AMC Independence Commons 20. Scheduling will include special midnight shows.
After their theater runs, the films will be distributed by Vivendi Universal through DVD, video on demand, the Internet and television.
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