MUMBAI: Amazon Studios, known for television series such as Transparent, Tumble Leaf and Mozart in the Jungle, will begin to produce and acquire original movies for theatrical release and early window distribution on Amazon Prime Instant Video.

Whereas it typically takes 39 to 52 weeks for theatrical movies to premiere on subscription video services, Amazon original movies will premiere on Prime Instant Video in the US just four to eight weeks after their theatrical debut. It will focus on unique stories, voices, and characters from top and up-and-coming creators.

Amazon Studios vice president Roy Price said, “We look forward to expanding our production efforts into feature films. Our goal is to create close to 12 movies a year with production starting later this year. Not only will we bring customers exciting, unique, and exclusive films soon after a movie’s theatrical run, but we hope this program will also benefit filmmakers, who too often struggle to mount fresh and daring stories that deserve an audience.”

Amazon Original Movies creative development will be led by independent film visionary Ted Hope. Hope co-founded and ran production company Good Machine, which produced Academy Award-nominated films such as Eat Drink Man Woman and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

“Audiences already recognize that Amazon has raised the bar with productions in the episodic realm, tackling bold material in unique ways and collaborating with top talent, both established and emerging. To help carry the torch into the feature film world for such an innovative company is a tremendous opportunity and responsibility,” said Hope.