Harvey and Bob Weinstein through the Fellowship Adventure Group, the newly created special-purpose company, have made arrangements for Michael Moore’s Palme D’Or winning Fahrenheit 9/11 to be released. Under this arrangement the Fellowship Adventure Group will join with Lions Gate Films and IFC Films to distribute the film in theaters in the United States. Pay TV rights will be handled by Showtime, Lions Gate’s Pay TV partner. The film will reach theaters nationwide on June 25th.
The Weinsteins through the Fellowship Adventure Group will personally finance and control distribution and marketing. They have appointed creative advertising and marketing consultant Matthew Cohen as marketing director for this company to create and oversee all marketing materials. Ken Sunshine Consultants has been hired to handle PR for the company and will work closely with the Weinsteins and the coalition on the film’s release.
“With Frodo (Harvey) and Sam (Bob) now in charge of the Fellowship, I welcome the addition of Lions Gate and IFC to our quest in bringing good family entertainment to the viewing public,” says Michael Moore. “Jon Feltheimer (now head of Lions Gate) produced my series ‘TV Nation’ and IFC produced my series ‘The Awful Truth.’ Not only am I in good hands, I am grateful to them now that everyone who wants to see it will now have the chance to do so — thanks to the record number of screens on which they plan to open it. On behalf of my stellar cast – GW, Dick, Rummy, Condi and Wolfie – we thank this incredible coalition of the willing for bringing Fahrenheit 9/11 to the people.”
“This is a true coalition,” said Harvey and Bob Weinstein. “The passion that Lions Gate, IFC Films and Showtime have demonstrated reflects our desire to enable Michael Moore’s extraordinary work to be viewed by as many filmgoers as possible as soon as possible.”
The Weinsteins have initiated an alliance with several key industry players. It is anticipated that other names will shortly be added to the coalition as partnerships on other distribution avenues are announced.
“Michael Moore is a brilliant creative talent, and we are honored to handle his latest film,” said Lions Gate Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer. “Lions Gate is a natural home for Fahrenheit 9/11. Michael, along with Harvey and Bob Weinstein, have invested tremendous passion in this powerful and riveting film, and we are confident that we can match their passion and ingenuity in distributing it to a national audience. We are delighted to join with IFC to maximize the theatrical potential of Fahrenheit 9/11, which promises to be one of this year’s seminal cinematic events.”
“Everyone at IFC Films is thrilled to be working again with Michael Moore. Michael’s is one of the most important voices speaking today, and IFC Films is an ideal home for Michael and Fahrenheit 9/11,” stated IFC Entertainment President Jonathan Sehring. “Ten years ago, IFC established its reputation by providing independent film makers with a strong voice for their most personal projects. It is IFC’s belief that such passion projects have always taken an important historic role in encouraging debate and being a catalyst for differences of opinions. The united team of IFC Films, Lions Gate, Harvey and Bob creates a solid and balanced partnership that ensures the creation of a strong grassroots distribution strategy and respects the original timetable of Michael Moore and his team. We are delighted to be teaming up with Lions Gate Films to distribute what will be considered one of the most exciting and important films in recent memory.”
The Weinsteins will continue to use the Wild Bunch, the Paris-based sales agent, for negotiating international distribution arrangements. Wild Bunch has already put several international distribution deals in place.
