Original Programming Devoted to Festival Debuts 3 September
New York, NY – 18 August 2011 – AMC/Sundance Channel Global today announced plans for exclusive coverage of the 68th Venice Film Festival on Sundance Channel internationally. Debuting 3 September, Sundance Channel Presents The Venice Film Festival marks the network’s first-ever original production devoted to the prestigious annual gathering.
Produced by Sundance Channel Global and 3DD Productions, Sundance Channel Presents The Venice Film Festival will include interviews with celebrities from the worlds of film, fashion and culture. Offering viewers a behind-the-scenes peek at one of the most celebrated film festivals, the series will capture the buzz from the red carpet and feature one-on-one interviews with actors and filmmakers in Venice. The series will also cover the most important films competing at the longest running film festival in the world, along with titles screening out of competition.
In addition to highlighting the festival’s key films, Sundance Channel Presents The Venice Film Festival will include newly produced specials devoted to some of Italy’s biggest film industry talent, including Sophia Loren, Franco Zeffirelli and Roberto Benigni. Overall the series will feature five 30-minute and two 60-minute specials, along with numerous interstitials shown throughout the month of September.
“We look forward to bringing all the excitement of this year’s Venice Film Festival to Sundance Channel’s audiences around the world,” commented Harold Gronenthal, Senior Vice President and General Manager, AMC/Sundance Channel Global. “Our exclusive coverage will give Sundance Channel viewers the chance to experience the best that the festival offers for the first time, including interviews with some of today’s brightest filmmakers and actors. We’re committed to showcasing the most important festivals across the globe and supporting the growth of independent film.”
This year’s line-up includes some of the most anticipated new films launching ahead of the awards season, such as festival opener The Ides of March, starring George Clooney, who also produced, directed and co-wrote the political drama. There are 21 titles competing for the coveted Golden Lion award, including Roman Polanski’s Carnage, adapted from Yasmina Reza’s acclaimed play The God of Carnage and starring Kate Winslet and Jodie Foster. David Cronenberg will debut A Dangerous Method, which follows the lives of Sigmund Freud (played by Viggo Mortensen) and Carl Jung (played by Michael Fassbender).
Acclaimed British director Steve McQueen will premiere a new drama about sex addiction, Shame, starring Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan. Indie filmmaker Todd Solondz will also premiere Dark Horse, starring Mia Farrow, Christopher Walken, Justin Bartha and Selma Blair. The competition line-up will also include Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy starring Gary Oldman as John le Carre’s famous spy.
Legendary actor Al Pacino will receive a special award at the event, and this year’s competition jury will be chaired by Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky. Pacino’s film adaptation of a controversial Oscar Wilde play, Wilde Salome, will be screened out of competition. Other titles screening out of competition will include Steven Soderbergh’s thriller, Contagion, starring Matt Damon and Jude Law, and Madonna’s W.E., which focuses on King Edward VIII’s romance with an American divorcee.
Sundance Channel Presents The Venice Film Festival complements the network’s coverage earlier this year devoted to the Cannes Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival. Sundance Channel Global also showcases independent films at standalone events throughout the year, as well as through dedicated sections of established film festivals. This included the “Hello Sundance Channel” section of the Brussels Film Festival held earlier this summer.
About Sundance Channel Global
Dedicated to founder Robert Redford’s mission to celebrate creativity, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold, imaginative and uncompromising, Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of high-quality independent films, documentaries and original programs. Sundance Channel Global is available in countries throughout Europe and Asia. Owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., Sundance Channel is a highly recognizable and magnetic brand that is available in HD and across multiple platforms.
About AMC Networks Inc.
Dedicated to producing quality programming and movie content for more than 30 years, AMC Networks Inc., owns and operates several of the most popular and award-winning brands in cable television. AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, and IFC Films produce and deliver distinctive, compelling and culturally relevant content that engages audiences across multiple platforms. The company also operates AMC/Sundance Channel Global, an international programming business, and AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, a full-service network programming feed origination and distribution company.