Uncut Versions of Indie Favorites Raising Arizona, The Princess Bride and Napoleon Dynamite Will Be Featured on a State-Of-The Art Outdoor Video System
Tour to Visit 10 Major U.S. Markets: Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Memphis, Denver, San Francisco, Seattle, Detroit, Boston and Washington DC
New York, NY – April 23, 2007 – IFC and Comcast announced today that they are launching the IFC Free Film Fest – a state-of-the-art, multimedia 10-city independent film tour kicking off July 10 in Comcast’s hometown of Philadelphia. For three consecutive days within each city, IFC and Comcast will invite local residents to enjoy a fun and multifaceted, independent film experience. Open to the public at no cost, the Tour will screen uncut indie films within a high-tech outdoor mini-entertainment complex and will also include the IFC Media Lab Lounge, a showcase for local filmmaking talent and a Comcast product demo area.
The IFC Free Film Fest adds a new dimension to the network’s mission to make indie films more accessible to movie-goers across the country and seek new ways to expand the audience for independent filmmakers. Scheduled cities for the Tour include Philadelphia; Atlanta; Miami; Memphis; Denver; San Francisco; Seattle; Detroit; Boston; and Washington, DC, with venues to be announced. IFC’s ‘tv,uncut’ mantra will ring true with uncut screenings of each of the three films including the Coen Brothers cult hit, Raising Arizona; the family-friendly fairy tale classic The Princess Bride; as well as the unconventionally humorous Napoleon Dynamite. All films will be shown on a 40′ x 20′ inflatable air screen constructed specifically by IFC for the tour. The films will begin at dusk, following a variety of pre-show activities, including musical entertainment.
“With this traveling Film Festival, IFC and Comcast bring great, uncut, independent films out of the theater and under the stars – for film fans of all ages,” said Evan Shapiro, EVP and General Manager, IFC. “In addition to three great indie films, we’ll be showcasing young, undiscovered digital filmmakers in our Media Lab Lounge, where people can check out short films by local directors. This tour literally brings the IFC brand to life.”
“We’re excited to bring this one-of-kind event to our communities because it’s a great way for us to showcase the wide of range of entertainment we offer,” said Payne Brown, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for Comcast. “IFC has been a great programming partner, and in 2006, we added IFC in Theaters to our ON DEMAND lineup, bringing independent theatrical movies to customers across the country so they enjoy them on their schedules, from the comfort of their own homes, on the same days the movies are released theatrically.”
IFC and Comcast will actively promote the festival within local communities via print, radio, on-air and online media.
Special activities and areas within the onsite structure will include:
- The IFC Media Lab Lounge – Free and open to the public, the IFC Media Lab Lounge is an on-site venue showcasing short films from top local filmmakers who have submitted shorts to IFC’s online user-generated program at www.ifc.com/medialab. Event-goers who visit the Lounge can enter to win a new HD camera.
- The Comcastic Test Drive – Attendees will be able to get a first-hand look at the integrated Comcastic experience, including Comcast’s Triple Play of digital cable, digital voice and high-speed Internet services.
Tour Schedule:
| CITY | DATES | |
| Philadelphia | 7/10 – 7/12 | |
| Atlanta | 7/17-7/19 | |
| Miami | 7/24 – 7/26 | |
| Memphis | 7/31 – 8/2 | |
| Denver | 8/7 – 8/9 | |
| San Francisco | 8/14 – 8/16 | |
| Seattle | 8/21 – 8/23 | |
| Detroit | 8/28 – 8/30 | |
| Boston | 9/4 – 9/6 | |
| Washington, DC | 09/11 – 09/13 | |
The IFC Free Film Fest is produced by IFC and the michael alan group.
About IFC:
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed network dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut, uncensored and commercial free. The network is part of IFC Companies — the only brand to operate in every area of independent film to include television, production, financing, distribution, digital, on-demand and exhibition. 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 Comcast:
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (http://www.comcast.com) is the nation’s leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. With 24.2 million cable customers, 11.5 million high-speed Internet customers, and 2.5 million voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.
Comcast’s content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, AZN Television, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, four regional Comcast SportsNets and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast’s Internet business. Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.