Three Short Documentaries Exploring Action Sports Indie Filmmakers to Air on the Network throughout April
New York, NY, April 10, 2006 – IFC announced today that it has joined forces with Red Bull to exclusively create three short documentaries about the filmmakers who make action sports indie films. The network will air the Action Sport Mini Docs in rotation throughout the month of April, providing Red Bull an opportunity to platform their brand in the network's uncut, festival-like on-air environment. Red Bull joins IFC's growing list of unique integrated partnerships which includes such clients as Acura, Heineken, Target, Volkswagen and [yellow tail].
For every shot of a guy jumping out of a plane, there was a guy with a camera who jumped out first. For every athlete who careens, falls, jumps, leaps, loops or bites it, you have a guy with a camera doing the same thing. Through rare footage and in-depth interviews, IFC's Action Sports Mini Docs will expose the passion of the people who make extreme sports films as they tell stories of ingenuity, vision and the independent spirit. Interviewed for the documentaries are: Bill Ballard, Billygoat Productions (SURFING); Steve Winter, Matchstick Production (SKIING); Derek Westerlund, Freeride Entertainment Mountain (BIKING); Todd Jones, Teton Gravity Research (SKIING); Jay Schweitzer, Powerband Films (MOTOCROSS); and Mike McEntire, Mack Dawg Productions (SNOWBOARDING). Red Bull will be subtly branded throughout the documentaries with its logo featured on action sports equipment used by the athletes. The documentaries will air on rotation throughout the month of April and can also be viewed on IFC's website: www.ifc.com.
"As with all of our partners, we are working with Red Bull to strategically integrate their brand into entertaining content that reaches IFC's trend-setting and influential audience in an engaging and uncluttered environment. These mini-docs offer an innovative and non-traditional avenue to effectively reach consumers, without being 'in your face', and provides an additional revenue stream for the uncut and commercial free network. It's truly a win-win situation," said Alan Klein, IFC's VP of Integrated Partnerships. "We're excited to bring this project to our viewers, as it explores one of the most independent genres of independent film."
IFC created its Integrated Partnerships department in 2005 to accommodate the network's growing number of unique client sponsorships. The department has since increased traction significantly by enhancing its current partnerships while also attracting new sponsors who have expressed interest in sponsoring strands on the network to reach IFC's core audience. IFC is a leader in the independent film community and appeals to young, male, tech-savvy, early adaptors, in the coveted 18-49 demographic.
Descriptions of the three mini-docs follow –
Directors Spotlight:
This short film focuses on the passions of one independent filmmaker. It explores the question: who makes Action Indie films? Using interviews with the six filmmakers, the documentary tells the story of how they, like so many others, embraced the independent spirit and became a respected movie makers.
Shoot First, Ask Questions Later:
This film explores the lengths the filmmakers go to make their films. From developing crazy rigs and housing, to strapping cameras onto the athletes themselves, we see firsthand through b-roll and interviews just how it's done. From inception to editing, the film shows how they make their independent films. Using interviews with filmmakers and stunning b-roll footage of the filmmakers in action, this documentary tells an inspiring story of gumption, ingenuity and ball-busting lens shattering face-planting determination.
Extreme Culture:
This film explores how extreme sports filmmakers embody what it is to be an independent filmmaker. Through interviews with the filmmakers, the athletes and fans – and their stunning movie footage – the film explores why they do what they do, and how their community embraces them. It will also take a look at how they see the independent film community at large – and how the independent film community doesn't see them.
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.
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.