Yahoo News Cinetic Media Launches Library Services Division to Oversee Re-Licensing of Indie Films (EXCLUSIVE)
Cinetic Media has launched a new unit that will oversee the re-licensing of many of the iconic titles that drove the independent film revolution of the 1980s and the 1990s. The move comes as the distribution landscape in Hollywood is being reshaped. Dubbed Cinetic Library Services, the division will identify innovative ways to reach new audiences and disseminate titles across subscription streamers, transactional VOD, direct-to-consumer and theatrical re-releases. The division will be overseen by Isadora Johnson and Leah Harris, two longtime Cinetic executives.
Cinetic has been a force in the indie film world. The company has managed the sale of more than 600 films including “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “The Kids Are All Right,” “Precious,” “Summer of Soul” and “Amy.” More recently, it scored major deals for Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man,” which Netflix is releasing this summer, as well as “Super/Man,” a documentary about actor and activist Christopher Reeve, which Warner Bros. Discovery will premiere this fall.
More from Variety
Cinetic Media CEO John Sloss Talks Dire Need for Indie Films' Theatrical Distribution
Cinetic Launches Sales on Anita Pallenberg Documentary 'Anita' Ahead of Cannes Premiere
“The work of keeping independent films out in the world and available for longtime fans, and new generations as well, is painstaking stuff, but it needs to happen for the sake of continuity in film culture,” said John Sloss, Cinetic’s founder and principal. “As an entity so closely involved with the initial licensing of so many of these titles, Cinetic is the most obvious candidate to undertake these efforts. Isadora and Leah, as people intimately familiar with all distributors and platforms, as well as with rightsholders’ great efforts necessary to clean up chains-of-titles from complex initial financing transactions, are the perfect candidates to spearhead this effort.”
Sloss also noted, “We, of course, want to make this into a self-sustaining business, but recognize that it is as much a service to the filmmaking community.“
This new venture continues to expand Cinetic’s service verticals which include film and episodic content sales, project financing, and a rapidly growing talent management business, as well as corporate advisory for media enterprises, production companies, and consumer brands.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
