Welcomes Aboard New Presenting Sponsor
Independent Film Channel
IFC to Celebrate 10th Birthday at Festival
The 12th Annual HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL will run October 20th – 24th, 2004, adding a media power name to its list of Presenting Sponsors – THE INDEPENDENT FILM CHANNEL (IFC), The First and Largest Network Dedicated to Independent Film.
As a Presenting Sponsor, IFC will have a strong visibility at the Hamptons Fest, beginning with a Gala bash celebrating the network’s 10th birthday of presenting terrific independent films and programming at the Festival’s annual Saturday night party and awards ceremony. Plans are to broadcast segments of the event on the Channel giving the Festival’s national exposure. And as part of the festival’s “Spotlight Films” series, the IFC release “Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession” directed by Xan Cassavetes will be screened on Friday night.
IFC has long been affiliated with the Hamptons Fest. In 2003, Kathleen Dore, President of Rainbow Entertainment Services (including IFC, WE & AMC Networks) was an honored participant, and Jon Favreau was on hand for his feature – “Elf.” Jonathan Sehring, President, IFC Entertainment, has been a Festival Board Member for several years and is thrilled with the new relationship.
Denise Kasell, the Festival’s Executive Director sees the new alliance as a big win. “IFC is not only a presenting sponsor but also our media partner assuring national exposure for the Festival and the participants.”
“The Hamptons/IFC partnership will dramatically increase our audience awareness of the Festival nationally and internationally; we can share all the excitement that is the Hamptons Film Festival,” says programmer Rajendra Roy. “We have screened a number of IFC films in the past including “Intermission,” “Lost in La Mancha,” “The Safety of Objects” and “Pieces of April” among them (the latter from IFC company InDiGent whose Gary Winick is a Festival Advisor). With the enhanced Broadcast exposure IFC will make possible an ever-growing spotlight on the unique films and talented directors, writers, actors and industry leaders that make The Hamptons a must-attend event.”
Kathleen Dore, President of Rainbow Entertainment Services (including IFC, WE & AMC Networks), exclaims, “I have been a fan of the Hamptons Festival for a long time. They always present a strong, intelligent and entertaining program, and last year’s event was not only very successful, but personally gratifying as well. I look forward to continuing the relationship into the future.”
Evan Shapiro, EVP of Marketing for IFC states, “We feel that this is a dynamic collaboration with huge future potential for both the Independent Film Channel as well as the Festival. We are eager to be working with the Festival and to introduce our Channel and products to their audience, and the Festival to ours.”
From special programming and additional media exposure, to participation in many of the Festival’s annual events such as Spotlight Films, Saturday night’s Gala Event, and a presence at this year’s inaugural “The Hamptons/indieWIRE Industry Toast” (another new strategic alliance for 2004); the IFC participation at the Hamptons is seen by all as hugely beneficial. IFC will receive heightened media and onsite awareness of its corporate participation, while the festival will receive added public awareness via IFC channels, programming and publications. (The fact that two major Long Island organizations have such a visible and important connection is good news for the region as well).
The Hamptons International Film Festival was founded to celebrate the American independent film – long, short, narrative and documentary – and to introduce a unique and varied spectrum of international films and filmmakers to its audiences. It is a festival of culture from around the world that hopes to enlighten viewers, provide opportunities for filmmakers, and present inspired entertainment for all.
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed network dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut and commercial free.
IFC celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2004 with its most extensive original programming line-up ever. Original programming premiering in 2004 includes Nanette Burstein’s Film School, Ultimate Film Fanatic, Rocked With Gina Gershon, In the Company of Women, the third season of Dinner For Five and John Landis’ Slasher. In the past, IFC has made its mark with originals including BaaadAsssss Cinema, The American Nightmare, Indie Sex: Taboos, In the Company of Women and A Decade Under the Influence.
The Independent Film Channel is a part of IFC Companies, which has established itself as the future of independent film. With the television network, as well as a film distribution and production unit and a VOD service, IFC Companies has created over the course of the past decade a revolutionary end-to-end business model and brand that focuses on developing and nurturing talent and maximizing the value of independent film. IFC Companies uses its unique cross-platform position to broaden the audience of independent film and to provide independent filmmakers with a strong voice. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.