Network Key Sponsor at 2006 Outfest
IFC Partners with Cable Positive to Host Benefit Screenings of Fabulous! Across U.S.
New York, NY, May 9, 2006 – The Independent Film Channel (IFC), the first and largest network dedicated to independent film, announced today that the network will dedicate the month of July to queer cinema. Surrounding the premiere of the IFC Original Documentary Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema on July 16 at 10:00 pm ET, the network will air a month-long on-air festival of gay-themed programming, dubbed 'Queer Month.' In support of the films premiere, IFC will also be a key sponsor at the 2006 Outfest, the leading film festival for the gay community, and the network will partner with Cable Positive to host a number of screenings of Fabulous! across the nation to benefit the non-profit.
"IFC's 'TV. Uncut' mantra not only signifies that we offer uncensored content the way it was intended to be seen, but that we proactively present viewers with a diverse range of issues and viewpoints," stated Evan Shapiro, IFC's Executive Vice President and General Manager. "Fabulous! and the surrounding 'Queer Month' programming is one such example, setting out to examine the important influence of gay and lesbian cinema. In conjunction with this special programming, we are pleased to be teaming up with Cable Positive to help support their outstanding efforts and further expand IFC's reach in public affairs."
Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema explores the emergence of gay and lesbian films from the beginning of the gay rights movement in the 1960s to the "New Queer Cinema" of the 90s, the proliferation and influence of gay and lesbian film festivals, the discovery by the film business of the gay market; the explosion of gay images in the mainstream media and the current phenomenon of all things gay. The story of gay and lesbian cinema is closely related to the world surrounding it, and the use of popular culture is a backdrop against which the film examines important cultural, political and social moments- and movements that intersect with gay life. Fabulous! is directed and produced by award-winning filmmakers Lisa Ades and Lesli Klainberg. IFC's Allison Palmer Bourke and Evan Shapiro are executive producers.
IFC has established extensive partnerships and programming initiatives surrounding the premiere of Fabulous! on the network. Below are details on each of these elements.
JULY IS 'QUEER MONTH' ON IFC:
Surrounding the premiere of the IFC Original Documentary Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema on July 16 at 10:00 pm ET, IFC will air a line-up of gay-themed films throughout the month of July, dubbed 'Queer Month.' The films will include Before Night Falls, Boys Don't Cry, Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss, Edward II, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, High Art, Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love, Love and Death on Long Island, Love! Valor! Compassion! and Velvet Goldmine. A double feature will air every Sunday beginning at 10:00 pm ET throughout the month of July.
IFC KEY SPONSOR AT 2006 OUTFEST
IFC will be a sponsor at the 2006 Outfest in Los Angeles from July 6 – 17. Outfest is a leading showcase for diverse, international lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) film and video. This sponsorship will surround the screening of Fabulous! at the festival and seek to drive tune-in for the July 16 premiere of the doc on IFC.
IFC will be a weekend day sponsor on Saturday, July 8 and receive extensive presence at the festival during that day. Visibility includes a presence in the DGA lobby (the festival hub) logo placement on promotional materials, and prescreening slides. In addition, to promoting the July 16 premiere of Fabulous! on IFC, volunteers clad in IFC gear will distribute Fabulous! branded magnets.
Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema will screen at Outfest on Sunday, July 9 at 2:30 pm at Director's Guild of American Theater 1. Following the screening, doc directors Lesli Klainberg and Lisa Ades will be available for a question and answer session.
IFC PARTNERS WITH CABLE POSITIVE FOR BENEFIT SCREENINGS
IFC is partnering with Cable Positive to co-host a screening event tour for Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema. At each stop along the tour IFC and Cable Positive will host an exclusive screening of Fabulous! to help raise awareness of the film and its core message. Tickets will be sold for each of the screenings, with proceeds benefiting Cable Positive.
Screenings will take place in Los Angeles, Denver, Washington, DC, Atlanta and New York throughout the months of June and July. In New York, the screening will be held at the IFC Center on July 11.
IFC will support the tour with promotions on the network's website, including an option for viewers to donate to Cable Positive, print advertising in the local markets, email marketing encouraging ticket sales, and IFC News will produce a promotional spot that will air throughout the month of July.
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, 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 Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
A leader in the entertainment industry, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation. Rainbow creates and manages some of the country's most compelling and dynamic programming with linear networks including national networks – AMC, fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE: Women's Entertainment; its regional programming service – Rainbow Sports Networks; on-demand networks including Mag Rack and sportskool; and the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere – the VOOM HD Networks. Rainbow's other businesses include its film distribution, production and exhibition division – IFC Entertainment; in addition to its advertising sales division – Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation – and its full service network programming origination and distribution company – Rainbow Network Communications.