MUMBAI: Gravitas Ventures, a licensor and programmer of content across Video On Demand (VOD) platforms, has inked a partnership with theatrical distribution company specializing in classics and foreign language art films Kino International.
Under the multi-title, multi-year partnership, Gravitas will handle VOD licensing of select Kino titles to over 100 cable, satellite, and telco operators including AT&T, Cablevision, Charter, Comcast, Cox, DIRECTV, dish NETWORK, Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOs.
Through Gravitas’ established relationships, Kino titles will be available via VOD in up to 50 million households. In addition, Gravitas will help license certain titles through major Internet VOD platforms including Amazon VOD, Cinema Now, Microsoft Xbox and iTunes.
"This is a very exciting partnership for cable providers and consumers as Kino International is a highly regarded theatrical and DVD distributor with VOD rights to an excellent catalog of acclaimed films. This relationship will deliver films, previously only available at film festivals and in NY and LA, to premiere nationwide in the homes of tens of millions of cinema lovers," said Gravitas Ventures CEO Nolan Gallagher.
As part of the pact, the acclaimed Sundance film Momma’s Man, Toronto Film Festival favorite Love Comes Lately, and other well regarded Kino films 1/3rd, Skyfighters, and Psychopathia Sexualis will be available from 1 July through the Gravitas Movies On Demand video on demand package available with 30 North American cable operators.
"Kino has been committed to bringing classic films to worldwide audiences for more than 30 years. We are thrilled to team with Gravitas in offering our critically lauded films to larger audiences," said Kino International Corporation president Don Krim.
In 2008 Gravitas Ventures released more than 200 films to the cable VOD industry, and is on target to release 250 films in 2009 to meet the growing demand for VOD content. The company currently aggregates quality independent films specifically for VOD platforms on behalf more than 100 directors, producers and distributors.
