Cinedigm Acquires Fandor®, the Leading Global Independent Film Subscription Streaming Service

By | January 19, 2021

Cinedigm (NASDAQ: CIDM) announced today that the Company has acquired Fandor®, the leading global independent film subscription streaming service with the largest collection of independent films, documentaries, and international features in the market.

Called “The Netflix for Indie Film” by The Wall Street Journal and “A streaming rabbit hole worth falling down” by The New York Times, Fandor® has been delighting film-loving audiences around the world for more than a decade, with its catalog of over 4,600 film titles from more than 400 global and diverse partner film companies. Fandor’s acclaimed film offerings range from high-quality studio classics to festival favorites to essential award-winning foreign cinema features.

Tapping into the $4.8 billion-dollar global market for independent film, Cinedigm plans to leverage its substantial content library, technology, engineering and distribution capabilities to rapidly expand Fandor’s content offering, relaunch the service’s apps and dramatically expand distribution to Cinedigm’s global footprint of over 900 million connected devices. The Company anticipates the service could reach seven figure subscriber levels within the next 24-30 months with a focus on rapid global expansion and distribution. Cinedigm will continue to offer the service ad-free, but also plans to offer a free, ad-supported on-demand tier as well as a linear streaming channel to further broaden the service’s reach to audiences of all viewing preferences.

Cinedigm plans to heavily draw from a pool of more than 7,000 relevant film titles in its library, including thousands of classic, cult and foreign titles from streaming service The Film Detective, which it acquired in December 2020. The Company also plans on ramping up new and existing content partnerships with distribution partners from around the globe to make Fandor the preeminent destination for emerging global voices. The Company also plans to relaunch Keyframe, Fandor’s web and video-based publication dedicated to covering the art of cinema. Phil Hopkins, President of Cinedigm’s Film Detective division and life-long cinephile, will oversee Fandor and Keyframe, with the goal of relaunching the service in the coming quarter.

“This acquisition of Fandor, coming on the heels of our Film Detective acquisition, solidifies Cinedigm’s position as the leading global streaming company for independent films,” said Chris McGurk, Cinedigm Chairman and CEO. “As a key element of our recently announced streaming rollup strategy, Fandor will immediately benefit from our streaming distribution muscle, huge library of independent films, Matchpoint technology, cost savings and infrastructure and synergies with our wide portfolio of enthusiast streaming channels. We fully expect an immediate EBITDA uplift from Fandor and strong revenue and profit growth going forward.”

“The paradox of the streaming revolution is that it has never been harder to discover classic, essential and new independent and foreign films,” said Erick Opeka, Chief Strategy Officer and President of Cinedigm Networks. “The founders of Fandor had the right idea, launching very early in the streaming growth cycle while still establishing a strong and resilient brand and viewer base. Our mission at Cinedigm is to enable viewers, including independent film enthusiasts, to stream their passions, and I can’t think of a streaming service that is truer to our mission than Fandor.”

“The opportunity to leverage Fandor’s passionate community of independent film enthusiasts will be integral in the service’s growth,” said Phil Hopkins, President of The Film Detective. “Being able to communicate and collaborate with this community of content creators, bloggers, and editorial writers will allow us to significantly expand Fandor into the global focal point for streaming independent films, documentaries, classics and foreign films.”

DARA OF JASENOVAC – Trailer

By | January 19, 2021

Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “DARA OF JASENOVAC.” The film is directed by Predrag Peter Antonijevic. Starring Biljana Cekic, Anja Stanic, Zlatan Vidovic, Luka Saranovic, Jakov Saranovic, Simon Saranovic, Sandra Ljubojevic, Nikola Radulj, Rajko Lukac, Vesna Kljajic Ristovic, Nikolina Friganovic, Igor Dordevic, Natasa Ninkovic, Marko Pipic. .

In 1940s Croatia, 10-year-old Dara (Biljana Cekic) comes face-to-face with the horrors of the Holocaust-era after she is sent with her mother and siblings to the concentration camp complex known as Jasenovac. Overseen by vicious emissaries of the fascist Ustase government, the facility, the only operational death camp during World War II not created or run by the Germans, is tasked with murdering Serbs, Jews and Roma people-and re-educating the few children deemed worthy of rehabilitation. As unspeakable atrocities unfold all around her, young Dara must summon tremendous courage to protect her infant brother from a terrible fate, to safeguard her own survival and to plot a precarious path toward freedom.

DARK WEB: CICADA 3301 – Trailer

By | January 16, 2021

Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “DARK WEB: CICADA 3301”. The film is directed by Alan Ritchson. Starring Jack Kesy, Conor Leslie, and Alan Ritchson. .

When disenfranchised hacker Connor (Kesy), his affable best friend Avi (Funches), and the cunning librarian Gwen (Leslie) discover a mysterious online treasure hunt, they must elude aggressive NSA agents, led by Agent Carver (Ritchson), as the trio race to find the clues and claim their prize.

APOLLO 11: QUARANTINE – Trailer

By | January 16, 2021

Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “APOLLO 11: QUARANTINE”, the new shortfilm fromdirector/producer Todd Douglas Miller (Apollo 11, Dinosaur 13),will be released exclusively in IMAX® beginning January 29th in select locations.Created by the award-winning filmmakers behind thecinematic eventApollo 11,and co-presented by NEON and CNN Films,Apollo 11: Quarantinewill feature never-before-seen 70mm footage sourced from the National Archives and NASA.NEON and CNN Films will be forging a full Academy campaign onbehalf of the film for this year’s, 93rd Academy Awards®.

Summer 1969. The astronauts of Apollo 11 successfully land and walk on the moon. Asthe world celebrated their historic achievement, the crew’s mission would not be complete until returning safely to earth and undergoing a three-week medical quarantine.This lesser known story, of personal sacrifice and stoic resolve, offers a poignant reminder of our capacity for grace and resilience at this moment of national peril.

PAYBACK – Trailer

By | January 15, 2021

Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “PAYBACK”. The film is directed by Joseph Mensch. Starring Matt Levett, Anna Baryshnikov (DICKINSON, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA) & Toby Leonard Moore (BILLIONS, MANK). .

Mike Markovich, a young stockbroker at a Mob-controlled Wall Street firm, is betrayed and imprisoned for six years. When he is released, his deadly quest for vengeance begins.

BEFORE/DURING/AFTER – Trailer

By | January 15, 2021

Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “BEFORE/DURING/AFTER”. The film is directed by Stephen Kunken and Jack Lewars. Starring Finnerty Steeves, Jeremy Davidson, John Pankow, Kristine Sutherland, Richard Masur, Michael Emerson, Marin Hinkle, Miriam Shor, Kate Burton, Austin Pendleton and Deborah Rush. .

before/during/after is the story of Jennie Lonergan (Steeves), a middle-aged NYC theatre actress, who is forced to figure out the kind of person she wants to be when her seemingly perfect 15-year marriage comes to an abrupt end after she catches her husband (Davidson) having an affair. The film is anchored in one day in Jennie’s life when she is auditioning for a career-making role in a play that triggers a flood of her own unprocessed memories about her marriage and the aftermath of her divorce.

CRAZY SAMURAI: 400 vs. 1 – Trailer

By | January 14, 2021

Leading Japanese martial arts icon Tak Sakaguchi (Versus, Rise of the Machine Girl) stars in the groundbreakingly innovative action epic CRAZY SAMURAI: 400 vs. 1.

When a master samurai arrives to duel the disgraced Yoshioka dojo, he walks into an ambush. In the world’s first 77-minute, one-take action film sequence, Miyamoto Musashi (Tak Sakaguchi) fights for his life against 400 warriors, earning a place in history as the CRAZY SAMURAI MUSASHI.

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH – Trailer 2

By | January 14, 2021

Here is the second trailer from the upcoming film “JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH.” The film is directed by Shaka King. Starring Oscar nominee Daniel Kaluuya (“Get Out,” “Widows,” “Black Panther”) as Fred Hampton and LaKeith Stanfield (“Atlanta,” “The Girl in the Spider’s Web”) as William O’Neal. The film also stars Jesse Plemons (“Vice,” “Game Night,” “The Post”), Dominique Fishback (“The Hate U Give,” “The Deuce”), Ashton Sanders (“The Equalizer 2,” “Moonlight”) and Martin Sheen (“The Departed,” TV’s “The West Wing,” TV’s “Grace & Frankie”).

Chairman Fred Hampton was 21 years old when he was assassinated by the FBI, who coerced a petty criminal named William O’Neal to help them silence him and the Black Panther Party. But they could not kill Fred Hampton’s legacy and, 50 years later, his words still echo…louder than ever.

I am a revolutionary!

In 1968, a young, charismatic activist named Fred Hampton became Chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, who were fighting for freedom, the power to determine the destiny of the Black community, and an end to police brutality and the slaughter of Black people.

Chairman Fred was inspiring a generation to rise up and not back down to oppression, which put him directly in the line of fire of the government, the FBI and the Chicago Police. But to destroy the revolution, they had to do it from both the outside…and the inside. Facing prison, William O’Neal is offered a deal by the FBI: if he will infiltrate the Black Panthers and provide intel on Hampton, he will walk free. O’Neal takes the deal.

Now a comrade in arms in the Black Panther Party, O’Neal lives in fear that his treachery will be discovered even as he rises in the ranks. But as Hampton’s fiery message draws him in, O’Neal cannot escape the deadly trajectory of his ultimate betrayal.

Though his life was cut short, Fred Hampton’s impact has continued to reverberate. The government saw the Black Panthers as a militant threat to the status quo and sold that lie to a frightened public in a time of growing civil unrest. But the perception of the Panthers was not reality. In inner cities across America, they were providing free breakfasts for children, legal services, medical clinics and research into sickle cell anemia, and political education. And it was Chairman Fred in Chicago, who, recognizing the power of multicultural unity for a common cause, created the Rainbow Coalition—joining forces with other oppressed peoples in the city to fight for equality and political empowerment.

HERO DOG: THE JOURNEY HOME – Trailer

By | January 14, 2021

Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “HERO DOG: THE JOURNEY HOME”. The film is directed by Richard Boddington. Starring Steve Byers, Natasha Henstridge, John Tench. .

Starring Natasha Henstridge (Species), this breathtaking family adventure shows how one animal’s courage can inspire us all. Crossing a lake by boat to return to his family, Royce (Steve Byers), who is blind, is stranded when the boat’s captain suddenly falls ill. To find help, Royce enlists Chinook, a brave malamute, to serve as his seeing-eye dog as they navigate the wilderness. Chinook must protect Royce from treacherous rapids, jagged rocks, and savage mountain lions on their long, heroic journey of survival.

SILENCE & DARKNESS – Trailer

By | January 14, 2021

Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “SILENCE & DARKNESS”. The film is directed by Barak Barkan. Starring Mina Walker, Joan Glackin, and Jordan Lage. .

After the death of their mother, blind and deaf sisters Anna and Beth live happily in a secluded small town with Father. However, when a neighbor stops by, Anna and Beth begin to question Father’s medical diagnoses and start to realize his intentions are more sinister than they could have imagined.

Shot in the haunting ephemeral landscapes of Vermont, and at times disturbing, SILENCE & DARKNESS carefully crafts a harrowing, and eerie portrait of two sisters forced to use every skill they have to uncover the truth about their family. Writer/director Barak Barkan’s feature debut takes the audience to an elliptical presence in Anna and Beth’s world, guiding our imaginations to follow them into peculiar, secret places.

BREAKING NEWS IN YUBA COUNTY – Trailer

By | January 14, 2021

Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “BREAKING NEWS IN YUBA COUNTY”. The film is directed by Tate Taylor. Starring Allison Janney, Mila Kunis, Regina Hall, Awkwafina, Wanda Sykes, Jimmi Simpson, Juliette Lewis, Matthew Modine, Ellen Barkin, Samira Wiley, Bridget Everett, Clifton Collins, Jr., Keong Sim. .

After her husband goes missing, Sue Buttons (Allison Janney), an underappreciated suburban wife, gets a taste of being a local celebrity as she embarks on a city-wide search in Yuba County to find him. In an effort to prolong her newfound fame, she stumbles into hilarious hijinks as her world turns upside down, dodging a wanna-be mobster (Awkwafina), a relentless local policewoman (Regina Hall), her half-sister (Mila Kunis) a local news reporter desperate for a story, and her husband’s dead-beat brother (Jimmi Simpson), who all set out to uncover the truth behind the disappearance. Directed by Tate Taylor and written by Amanda Idoko, Breaking News in Yuba County is a dark and twisted comedy that explores the outrageous lengths some will go to in order to garner some much-desired attention.

LET HIM GO – DVD and Blu-ray Release Date

By | January 12, 2021

Witness how far one family will go to rescue one of their own in the riveting and emotionally charged action-drama LET HIM GO, available to own for the first time on Digital on January 19, 2021 and on Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand on February 2, 2021 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Based on the novel of the same name by New York Times acclaimed author Larry Watson, the intense thriller reunites Academy Award® nominee Diane Lane (Trumbo, Unfaithful) and Academy Award® winner Kevin Costner (“Yellowstone,” Hidden Figures) as a husband and wife who set out to save their young grandson from the clutches of a ruthless family. Hailed as “original and suspenseful” (Owen Gleiberman, Variety), the visually stunning, Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh® film is set in the 1960’s American West and explores the bonds of family, the power of love and the necessity of sacrifice. Featuring never-before-seen bonus content with the film’s cast and crew, LET HIM GO on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital includes exclusive extras taking audiences behind the scenes with the cast and crew diving deeper into the western-tinged drama.

BONUS FEATURES AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAYTM, DVD AND DIGITAL:

  • The Blackledges: Kevin Costner & Diane Lane – Stars Diane Lane and Kevin Costner share personal insights into their characters and why finally having the chance to work together was an opportunity neither party could pass up.
  • The Making of LET HIM GO – Take a deeper look at the emotional journey the Blackledges embark on, the period specific production design, and Director/Writer Thomas Bezucha’s inspiration in adapting the novel for screen.
  • Lighting the Way: Thomas Bezucha – Director/Writer Thomas Bezucha shares his process in developing the story while the cast and crew discuss what makes him the perfect person to bring this film to life.
  • BUY LET HIM GO BLU-RAY >>

    BUY LET HIM GO DVD>>

    MORE THAN MIYAGI: THE PAT MORITA STORY – Trailer

    By | January 12, 2021

    Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “MORE THAN MIYAGI: THE PAT MORITA STORY”. The film is directed by Kevin Derek. Featuring: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Martin Kove, Henry Winkler, James Hong, Sean Kanan, Marion Ross, Esai Morales, Tommy Chong, Don Most, Anson Williams and more. .

    The Oscar-nominated actor best known for his role of “Mr. Miyagi,” left behind a painfully revealing autobiographical record of his much-too-brief time here on Earth, tracing his journey from being bed-bound as a boy to the bright lights and discrimination in Hollywood. Deep inside that sweet, generous, multi-talented performer seethed an army of demons, that even alcohol and drugs couldn’t mask.

    BARB & STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR – Trailer

    By | January 11, 2021

    Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “BARB & STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR”. The film is directed by Josh Greenbaum. Starring Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo, Jamie Dornan, Damon Wayans, Jr., Fortune Feimster, Wendi McLeandon-Covey, Rose Abdoo, Vanessa Bayer, Phyllis Smith, Kwame Patterson. .

    Take a trip and break out of your shell with Barb and Star. From the gals who brought you Bridesmaids (co-stars and co-writers Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo) comes BARB & STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR. Lifelong friends Barb and Star embark on the adventure of a lifetime when they decide to leave their small Midwestern town for the first time…ever. Romance, friendship and a villain’s evil plot…Hold onto your culottes, BARB & STAR debuts in your home on February 12th!

    THE EMPTY MAN – Trailer

    By | January 11, 2021

    Directed by David Prior, this supernatural horror film centers on shocking events originating in a small Midwestern town. After the mysterious disappearance of a group of teenagers, James Lasombra (James Badge Dale), a troubled retired cop, is thrust into action to investigate. Following leads that may tie a secretive occult-minded group to a terrifying local legend, he soon realizes that his life — and the lives of those close to him — are in terrible danger. The screen story and screenplay is by David Prior.

    In the world of The Empty Man comics, it’s been one year since the first reported case of the titular disease, and no drug has been able to slow its progress. The cause is unknown, and the symptoms include fits of rage, hideous hallucinations, and suicidal dementia, followed by death or a near lifeless, “empty” state of catatonia. As cults rise nationwide, the FBI and CDC enter a joint investigation of the Empty Man, racing against the clock to piece together clues to stop the cult and uncover a cure.

    1982 – Trailer

    By | January 8, 2021

    Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “1982”. The film is directed by Oualid Mouaness. Starring Mohamad Dalli, Nadine Labaki, Rodrigue Sleiman.

    Inspired by the director’s boyhood memories of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, 1982 revisits a cataclysmic moment in Lebanese history through a different lens. At a private school on the outskirts of Beirut, as the geopolitical conflict inches closer and closer, 11-year-old Wissam (Mohamad Dalli) is more intent on finding the courage to tell his classmate he loves her. For a dreamer like Wissam, who is more likely to be drawing than playing football, it’s hard to comprehend the gravity of the impending violence. But for his teachers, Yesmine (Nadine Labaki) and Joseph (Rodrigue Sleiman), the jets in the sky signal something greater. As they try to mask their growing fears for the sake of the students, they also attempt to hide the fractures in their relationship, as they fall on different sides of the political divide. Mouaness, who also wrote the script, splits the film between these two perspectives; that of the adults and that of the children, to explore the complexities of love and war.

    NOTTURNO – Trailer

    By | January 8, 2021

    Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “NOTTURNO.” The film is directed by Gianfranco Rosi.

    Filmed over three years on the borders between Iraq, Kurdistan, Syria and Lebanon, Notturno captures the everyday life that lies behind the continuing tragedy of civil wars, ferocious dictatorships, foreign invasions and the murderous apocalypse of ISIS. Gianfranco Rosi (SACRO GRA, Venice Golden Lion Winner, FIRE AT SEA, Berlin Golden Bear winner and Oscar® nominee)constructs a sublime cinematic journey through the region finding peace and light within the chaos and despair in the aftermath of war. A mosaic of intimate moments and luminous images, Notturno is a profound and urgent cinematic achievement, from a master of the documentary form.

    Michelle Obama: Life After The White House. – Trailer

    By | January 8, 2021

    Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “Michelle Obama: Life After The White House.” The film is directed by Jordan Hill.

    Former First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA’S story has just begun. The Obamas have remained quite busy with their new life of activism which includes their issue-oriented production company, Higher Ground, which won an Oscar for Best Documentary in 2020. Mrs. Obama’s autobiography, Becoming, has become the best-selling memoir of all time and even won a Grammy following the publication of her book. Get lost in the incredible journey of this modern-day First Lady’s story in the making.

    #LIKE – Trailer

    By | January 7, 2021

    Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “#LIKE”. The film is directed by Sarah Pirozek. Starring Sarah Rich and Marc Menchaca.

    Woodstock teen Rosie (Sarah Rich) is mourning the first anniversary of her younger sister Amelia’s death, when she discovers that the mysterious man (Marc Menchaca, ALONE, “The Outsider”) who sexploited and bullied her sister into committing suicide, is back online trolling for new victims. After the authorities refuse to get involved, Rosie discovers a darker side she never knew she had as she takes justice into her own hands.

    THE NIGHT – Trailer

    By | January 7, 2021

    Here is the trailer from the upcoming film “THE NIGHT”. The film is directed by Kourosh Ahari. Starring Shahab Hosseini, Niousha Jafarian, Leah Oganyan, and George Maguire.

    The Night is a psychological thriller that follows an Iranian couple, Babak and Neda, and their one-year-old daughter, Shabnam. Returning home from a friend’s gathering, Babak drives drunkenly, too stubborn to let Neda drive with a suspended license. When Babak’s driving threatens the safety of the family, Neda insists they stay the night at a hotel. Once they check-in, Babak and Neda find themselves imprisoned, forced to face the secrets they’ve kept from each other. And though the clock moves forward, “the night” never ends.