MUMBAI: AMC/Sundance Channel Global, the international division of AMC Networks (NASDAQ: AMCX), has announced numerous acquisitions from the 2014 Sundance Film Festival to premiere exclusively on Sundance Channel internationally shortly after the festival this spring. Bruce Tuchman, President of AMC/Sundance Channel Global, made the announcement from Park City, Utah where Sundance Channel is celebrating its biggest year of growth across its international television networks and video-on-demand (VOD) services.
The company has acquired an exciting line-up of six independent films from the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. The Disobedient, Liar’s Dice, Memphis and This May Be the Last Time have been acquired for all international territories where Sundance Channel is seen. Drunktown’s Finest has been acquired for Asia (excluding Malaysia), Benelux, Eastern Europe, France, Iberia and Latin America. To Kill a Man has been acquired for Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
Tuchman commented, “We’re excited to acquire a terrific selection of movies fresh from the 2014 Sundance Film Festival to debut exclusively on Sundance Channel this spring. The channel shares the same mission as the festival to support the growth of independent film. It also provides a global platform to showcase the compelling work of emerging filmmakers. We’re looking forward to providing an even greater choice of high quality independent films along with first run original drama on Sundance Channel in the months ahead.”
Sundance Channel has experienced tremendous growth internationally in the past year. The network launched for the first time in Latin America and is now seen in seven countries throughout the region on numerous pay-TV platforms. The channel also just launched for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa in 24 countries. In addition, there have been recent agreements to increase distribution of its linear and VOD services throughout Asia and Europe, including Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, France, Belgium, Poland and Hungary.
Below is additional information about each title acquired at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival to premiere on Sundance Channel.
The Disobedient / Serbia (Director and screenwriter: Mina Djukic) — Leni anxiously waits for her childhood friend Lazar, who is coming back to their hometown after years of studying abroad. After they reunite, they embark on a random bicycle trip around their childhood haunts, which will either exhaust or reinvent their relationship. Cast: Hana Selimovic, Mladen Sovilj, Minja Subota, Danijel Sike, Ivan Djordjevic; Distributor: Visit Films
Drunktown's Finest / USA (Director and screenwriter: Sydney Freeland) — Three young Native Americans—a rebellious father-to-be, a devout Christian woman, and a promiscuous transsexual—come of age on an Indian reservation. Cast: Jeremiah Bitsui, Carmen Moore, Morningstar Angeline, Kiowa Gordon, Shauna Baker, Elizabeth Francis; Distributor: The Film Sales Co.
Liar's Dice / India (Director and screenwriter: Geetu Mohandas) — Kamala, a young woman from the village of Chitkul, leaves her native land with her daughter to search for her missing husband. Along the journey, they encounter Nawazudin, a free-spirited army deserter with his own selfish motives who helps them reach their destination. Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Geetanjali Thapa, Manya Gupta; Distributor: 3 Monkeys
Memphis / USA (Director and screenwriter: Tim Sutton) — A strange singer drifts through the mythic city of Memphis, surrounded by beautiful women, legendary musicians, a stone-cold hustler, a righteous preacher, and a wolf pack of kids. Under a canopy of ancient oak trees and burning spirituality, his doomed journey breaks from conformity and reaches out for glory. Cast: Willis Earl Beal, Lopaka Thomas, Constance Brantley, Devonte Hull, John Gary Williams, Larry Dodson; Distributor: Visit Films
This May Be the Last Time / USA (Director: Sterlin Harjo) — Filmmaker Sterlin Harjo's Grandfather disappeared mysteriously in 1962. The community searching for him sang Native American songs of encouragement that were passed down for generations. Harjo explores the origins of these songs as well as the violent history of his people in this moving documentary. Distributor: This Land Films
To Kill a Man / Chile, France (Director and screenwriter: Alejandro Fernandez Almendras) — When Jorge, a hardworking family man who's barely making ends meet, gets mugged by Kalule, a neighborhood delinquent, Jorge's son decides to confront the attacker, only to get himself shot. Even though Jorge's son nearly dies, Kalule's sentence is minimal, heightening the friction. Cast: Daniel Candia, Daniel Antivilo, Alejandra Ya?ez, Ariel Mateluna; Distributor: Film Factory
These deals were negotiated by Gail Gendler, Senior Director of Acquisitions, AMC/Sundance Channel Global.
Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of first run original drama and other iconic programming, award winning and locally appealing independent films and documentaries. It is available to pay-TV operators as a standard and high definition linear television channel, VOD service and via mobile and online authenticated streaming. Additionally, select VOD program offerings are available during theatrical windows so audiences can watch films that are still in theatres from the comfort of their own homes.
In addition to Sundance Channel, AMC/Sundance Channel Global offers WE tv in Asia, a women’s lifestyle focused network featuring top industry figures in food, weddings and fashion with acclaimed series by Bobby Flay, Rachael Ray and Joe Zee, inspiring viewers with their expertise and innovation.
