The nation’s largest cable operator, Comcast, and indie film company IFC Entertainment announced today a deal under which films offered by IFC will be available via Comcast’s On-Demand service on the same day as they are released in theaters, propelling the nascent trend of collapsing movie distribution windows.
Starting in March, “IFC in Theaters,” a new indie film service debuted at Sundance last month, will be available on Comcast’s On-Demand menu, with films priced at $5.99/each. Customers will be able to order up to five of these films per month.
Among the films that will be offered on-demand are CSA: The Confederate States of America, executive produced by Spike Lee; American Gun, starring Donald Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, and Marcia Gay Harden; Russian Dolls, starring Audrey Tautou; and Sorry, Haters, starring Robin Wright Penn and Sandra Oh.
Despite theater owner opposition to “day and date” release of theatrical films on other media, Comcast and IFC Films say that this simultaneous release of films is good for theatrical films and filmmakers. IFC Entertainment President Jonathan Sehring said in a statement:
IFC in Theaters is enabling independent filmmakers to reach a wider audience in a much more economical manner. The local cinema will always be the first home for film to many film lovers. IFC has always strived to provide independent filmmakers with a strong voice and to help expand the audience of independent film. Now IFC and Comcast will provide independent films with a unique opportunity to extend and expand beyond traditional distribution means.
In fact, some of the films that will be available both in theaters and on-demand haven’t received theatrical distribution yet — I Am A Sex Addict was the 2005 Gotham Award winner for Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You and Three Times, which was named 2005’s Best Undistributed Film by the Village Voice’s National Critics Poll.
IFC Films is owned by Cablevision Systems-backed programming company Rainbow Media.
Cynthia Brumfield at 9:30 AM|Comments(0)
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