First News Segments to Premiere July 21,
Reporting on the Controversy Surrounding Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11
NEW YORK, July 5, 2004 – In its continuing efforts to expand the voice of independent filmmakers while bringing viewers closer to the world of indie film, The Independent Film Channel (IFC) announced today that it will launch NEWS. Airing throughout the day on IFC starting July 21, the 60-second reports will deliver insight into major stories from the independent film world and provide useful information on film festival dates and other events.
As a complement to the on-air NEWS reports, IFC also will launch NEWS on IFCTV.com – a distinct section of the network's successful website, dedicated to the independent film and entertainment news of the day. The site will be updated daily with breaking news from the film world, combining with the on-air segments to deliver comprehensive coverage.
The on-air premiere of NEWS on July 21 will look at the controversy surrounding the Michael Moore documentary, Fahrenheit 9/11. The film, which opened theatrically on June 25, is being distributed by IFC Films with co-distributors Lions Gate Films and The Fellowship Adventure Group.
Anchoring IFC's news coverage will be Chris Gore, creator of the popular indie film magazine, Film Threat, host of IFC's Ultimate Film Fanatic series and one of the country's most popular film commentators. Gore's work at Film Threat has earned him a reputation as a hilariously honest, down-to-earth critic of cinema. He founded the publication in 1985, and retired the print edition in 1997 to focus on a webzine version, which today is one of the most popular and respected indie movie sites on the Internet. Film Threat was named one of the top five film web sites by the Wall Street Journal. His outspoken column on Film Threat, "The Gorey Details," touches on off-beat topics ranging from "Are Today's Action Stars Wusses?" to "Do Trailers Ruin Movies?" In addition to his Film Threat work, Gore previously hosted "The New Movie Show with Chris Gore" on FX as well as "Festival Pass with Chris Gore" for Starz Cinema. He recently turned to filmmaking, as the co-writer and producer of the comedy spoof "My Big Fat Independent Movie."
Todd Tarpley, IFC's Vice President, Content & Packaging, said: "The addition of NEWS to our web site will create additional value for the many people who rely on us as a primary source of information on indie film. Our news group's daily updates to the section will enable us to deliver timely, relevant content on all areas of film and entertainment."
The on-air and online NEWS are designed to complement the IFC experience and create a holistic experience for the IFC viewer/user, and both grew out of feedback from the 200,000 members of the network's e-mail newsletter. The content of NEWS, and event the name NEWS itself, were determined in cooperation with IFC viewers, through a survey conducted earlier this year.
NEWS will be executive produced by Christine Lubrano, IFC's Director, Program Packaging and Production. Lubrano has spearheaded IFC's exclusive reporting from such events as the Cannes and Sundance film festivals and Independent Spirit Awards, working with the IFC news team to keep viewers up-to-date while providing perspective on what's happening in the world of independent film.
"NEWS is the next step for us – an expansion of our news team's live and in-depth coverage from major indie film events from around the world," Lubrano said. "As the first and largest network devoted to independent film, we always seek to provide our viewers with the complete indie film experience, and our audience has told us they want to see even more on news and events. NEWS will be an ideal complement to our unparalleled slate of movies and original programming. NEWS will bring our loyal viewers even closer to indie films and the people who make them, thanks in large measure to our access to the industry's movers and shakers. The IFC news team will be on top of all major breaking indie film news, providing informative details as well as uniquely qualified perspective on what it all means to the industry and filmgoer."
Each month, a new NEWS segment will feature Gore reporting and commenting on major industry developments. A lower-screen crawl will provide additional news headlines and information on film festival dates and other film-related events. The reports will run throughout IFC's commercial-free programming schedule.
About IFC Television
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, 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 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.
About IFC Entertainment
IFC ENTERTAINMENT consists of:
– IFC Productions is a production company that provides financing for select independent feature films. It offers filmmakers unusual creative freedom to realize their personal cinematic visions. Notable films include Kimberly Peirce's Oscar® Award-winning Boys Don't Cry, Karyn Kusama's Girlfight, Richard Linklater's Waking Life, Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding, John Sayles' Casa De Los Babys and Todd Graff's Camp. Rebecca Miller's The Ballad of Jack and Rose (starring Daniel Day Lewis) and Michael Showalter's The Baxter are the latest productions, both to be released by IFC Films in 2005.
– IFC Films is a leading theatrical film distribution company bringing the best of independent and specialized films to theaters. Releasing approximately 10-12 films per year, IFC Films builds its slate of titles from an aggressive acquisitions program and selected in-house productions. Recent IFC Films include the 2003 Oscar®-nominated My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Alfonso Cuaron's Y Tu Mamá También, Richard LaGravenese and the late Ted Demme's documentary A Decade Under the Influence, Camp and Casa De Los Babys. Touching the Void, Kitchen Stories, Intermission, The Saddest in the Music in the World and This So-Called Disaster are the most recent releases. Frankie and Johnny are Married, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster and CSA: The Confederate States of America are also upcoming.
– InDigEnt is an initiative for established filmmakers to explore the medium of digital video. Notable InDigEnt productions include Campbell Scott's Final, Ethan Hawke's Chelsea Walls, Gary Winick's Tadpole, Rebecca Miller's Personal Velocity and Peter Hedges' Pieces of April, and Alan Taylor's Kill the Poor. Greg Harrison's November and Steve Buscemi's Lonesome Jim are the most recent.
IFC Entertainment is a part of IFC Companies, which has established itself as the future of independent film. With the film distribution and production unit, as well as a television network 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.