|
ENTERTAINMENT ONE AND SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT FORGE UNPRECEDENTED MULTI-TERRITORY DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Pact Covers Summit Feature Films Through 2010 Los Angeles, CA / Toronto, Canada, September 19, 2007 — Burgeoning world-wide motion picture studio Summit Entertainment and Entertainment One (E1), one of the world's leading international independent filmed entertainment distributors have reached a multi-territory all rights agreement for feature films from Summit through 2010. E1 subsidiary Contender Films will manage all rights in the UK with Seville Entertainment handling all rights in Canada. The deal allows one of the industry's newest significant content producers and a global distribution powerhouse entry into the Canadian theatrical film distribution market, which until recently was controlled primarily by one organization. In the UK, the agreement allows for Summit produced product to bolster E1's recently acquired Contender Entertainment Group and aligns Summit with a partner who will aggressively support its product as it cements its place in the UK. The announcement was made today by Summit Co-Chairmen Robert G. Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger along with E1's CEO Darren Throop and Filmed Entertainment President Patrice Théroux. "We could not ask for a better partner to represent our productions in both Canada and the UK," said Friedman and Wachsberger in a joint statement. "The combination of Entertainment One's public backing and their commitment to the Canadian and UK marketplaces, allows Summit the best opportunity to have our films succeed and reach the broadest possible audiences both in the theatrical and home entertainment marketplaces." E1 Filmed Entertainment President Patrice Théroux added, "Summit is unique in this industry — no other independent company has so consistently produced critically acclaimed, original films that work in the marketplace. Everyone wanted the Summit slate in Canada and in the UK and I am honored that they have put their faith in Entertainment One." Said E1 CEO Darren Throop, "We are delighted to be in business with Summit — this partnership is a perfect fit. The addition of the Summit films to our UK and Canadian operations immediately establishes our Filmed Entertainment Group as one of the leading film and television distributors in the world." In Canada Seville Entertainment will distribute Summit produced films and those to which it controls the North American rights. The first production to fall under the arrangement in Canada will be Summit's thriller P2, currently scheduled for a wide release on November 9, 2007. In the UK, Contender Films will handle the distribution of Summit in-house productions along with those films for which Summit acquires the UK rights. In the UK, Summit International will continue to represent the rights to third-party films which it does not produce or finance as these films are not included in any agreements with Entertainment One and its subsidiaries. The deal was negotiated by Summit Chief Operating Officer Bob Hayward and E1's Théroux and Throop. Note to the Editors: Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE: ETO). Admitted to trading on AIM on 29 March 2007, Entertainment One Ltd's strategy is to build a leading global independent entertainment content ownership and distribution business which acquires films, television programs and music content and exploits these rights in all media throughout the world. Entertainment One is the largest distributor of home entertainment products in the Canadian market. Following the acquisition of Seville Entertainment in Canada on 20 August 2007, it also has a significant presence in the theatrical and international sales markets. Outside Canada Entertainment One owns Koch Entertainment, the largest independent record label in North America and a leading independent distributor of music and video in the United States and Contender, one of the leading independent UK distributors of filmed entertainment. Summit Entertainment LLC is a new worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures. Summit Entertainment, LLC also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product. Summit Entertainment, LLC plans to release 10 to 12 films annually. Feature film productions with which Summit has been involved include IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH, STEP UP, BABEL and MR. & MRS. SMITH.  
|
