Steven Soderbergh, Kevin Smith, Rebecca Miller and Richard Linklater, Among Others, to Advise the New Independent Film Center, Set to Open in the Historic Waverly Theater in June
NEW YORK, NY, May 25, 2005 – IFC Center announced today a veritable “who’s who” list of leaders of the independent film community who will make up the Advisory Board for the much-anticipated IFC Center, a new independent film theater and cultural center to open in Manhattan on June 17.
Located in Manhattan’s historic Greenwich Village, the IFC Center is the bricks and mortar home of IFC, and is designed to be a place to celebrate both the past and the future of great specialized cinema. The IFC Center will serve as a focal point for the independent film community – both to filmgoers and filmmakers alike. IFC has converted the historic Waverly Theater into an architecturally distinctive, state-of-the-art facility that features three theaters each equipped to screen 35mm and high-definition digital video, on-site digital editing suites, a meeting area, and a restaurant. The centerpiece of the IFC Center will be its unique film programs. In addition to new releases, the presentation of a variety of special series will ensure that filmgoers will be both challenged and rewarded by great works of cinema on a regular basis.
The Advisory Board includes independent filmmakers as well as industry leaders who have played vital roles in supporting and presenting independent film in New York and around the world. The Advisory Board includes the following:
Noah Cowan – Co-Director, Toronto International Film Festival
Alfonso Cuar?n – filmmaker, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” “Y Tu Mam? Tambi?n”
Richard Linklater – filmmaker, “Before Sunset,” “School of Rock,” “Dazed and Confused”
Rebecca Miller – filmmaker, “The Ballad of Jack and Rose,” “Personal Velocity”
Errol Morris – filmmaker, “The Fog of War,” “The Thin Blue Line,” “Fast, Cheap and Out of Control”
John Sayles – filmmaker, “Lone Star,” “Sunshine State,” “The Secret of Roan Inish”
Kevin Smith – filmmaker, “Clerks,” “Chasing Amy,” “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back”
Steven Soderbergh – filmmaker, “Sex, Lies and Videotape,” “The Limey,” “Traffic”
Cynthia Swartz – senior publicity & marketing executive
Dan Talbot – pioneering exhibition and distribution executive
Gary Winick – filmmaker/producer, “Pieces of April,” “Tadpole,” “Tape”
“I am very pleased that so many leaders from independent film will sit on the Advisory Board of the IFC Center,” said Jonathan Sehring, President of IFC Entertainment. “The IFC Center is committed to providing the country’s best independent film experience – from the quality of the films premiered to the innovative nature of our special programming to the outstanding film technology and theatrical presentation. I know that these incredibly talented and infinitely knowledgeable individuals will ensure that the IFC Center lives up to its commitment of providing the very best filmgoing experience.”
Conceived by Sehring, the IFC Center will be run by John Vanco, co-founder of Cowboy Pictures, and considered one of the industry’s most respected young executives. Vanco will oversee the Center’s film programming and day-to-day operations.
Since 1994, the New York City-based IFC Companies has been the foremost respected name in independent filmmaking, uniquely launching a television network, creating a film production and distribution unit, and developing a video on demand service all focused on expanding opportunities for independent filmmakers and broadening the audience of independent films. The IFC Center, located at 323 Sixth Avenue, will continue this mission, while increasing the IFC brand within New York City and providing the Greenwich Village community and lower Manhattan with a rich cultural asset.
About the IFC Center
The IFC Center is the highly anticipated bricks and mortar home of IFC, and will serve as a focal point for the independent film community – both to filmgoers and filmmakers alike. Conceived by IFC Entertainment President Jonathan Sehring, the IFC Center will be run by John Vanco, co-founder of Cowboy Pictures and considered one of the industry’s most respected young executives. IFC is converting the historic Waverly Theater building, which was originally built as a church in the early 1800’s, into an architecturally distinctive, state-of-the-art facility. The new facility will feature three theaters each equipped to screen 35mm and high-definition digital video, digital editing suites, a restaurant, and a meeting area.
About IFC Companies
IFC Companies has created a unique end-to-end business model and brand that focuses on developing and nurturing talent, and maximizing the value of independent film. With a television network, a film distribution and production unit, and a VOD service, IFC Companies represents the future of independent film. IFC Companies uses its unique position to broaden the independent film audience nationwide and to expand the opportunities for independent filmmakers. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc.
IFC Companies is made up of:
IFC Television, the first and most widely distributed channel dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut and commercial-free.
IFC Entertainment, which includes IFC Films, a theatrical film distribution company; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; InDigEnt, a groundbreaking initiative that helps established filmmakers shoot productions on digital video; and IFC Theaters.
IFC Digital Media harnesses the power of digital technology to provide audiences with active entertainment, informational, and transactional experiences. It is currently focused on packaging, delivering, and marketing video-on-demand services and broadband content.