For Immediate Release, Please: NEXT WAVE FILMS SELLS NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO FOLLOWING; WILL REPRESENT THE HI-LINE AT SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL SANTA MONICA, CA January 23, 1999 - The Independent Film Channel's Next Wave Films today announced that Zeitgeist Films has acquired North American distribution rights to Christopher Nolan's Following. This British psychological thriller was the first international film to receive finishing funds from Next Wave Films, a company that provides support to emerging filmmakers. Zeitgeist Films will release Following theatrically in 1999. Zeitgeist's Co-President Emily Russo comments, "We think Nolan's film fits right into our tradition of discovering new talent. It's a great first film." Zeitgeist Films previously distributed Todd Haynes' first feature Poison and Atom Egoyan's early films. According to Peter Broderick, Next Wave Film's President, "We are very pleased that Zeitgeist is handling Following in North America. They have earned a reputation for tenaciously distributing exceptional films. " Following is screening next week in competition at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. It will have its European premiere the following week at the Rotterdam Film Festival as part of the Tiger Competition. It was previously shown at the San Francisco, Toronto, and Vancouver film festivals. Written, directed, and shot by Nolan, Following was produced by Emma Thomas, Jeremy Theobald, and Nolan. Next Wave Films also announced that it is serving as a producers rep for The Hi-Line, which is having its world premiere in Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival. The directorial debut of Ron Judkins, The Hi-Line was produced by Molly Mayeux and Collin Phillips, along with executive producers Barbara Boyle, Michael Taylor, and Martin Cohen. The Hi-Line is the first film Next Wave Films is representing that did not require finishing funds. Broderick explained Next Wave Films "was so impressed by the film we offered to serve as the producers rep. It made us decide that we should be open to repping a select number of films by very talented filmmakers, in addition to the films in which we invest." A company of The Independent Film Channel, Next Wave Films was created to help outstanding filmmakers launch their careers. It focuses on low budget, English language features from the U.S. and abroad. Next Wave Films just launched Agenda 2000, its initiative that will finance and produce feature films shot on digital video. During its first phase, Agenda 2000 will produce films by directors who have established themselves with prior feature work. It will enable them to make daring films less expensively and with greater creative control. Previously, Next Wave Films had solely provided finishing funds to Following and Blood, Guts, Bullets & Octane (which will soon be released by Lions Gate Films). Broderick is giving two presentations as part of the Sundance Film Festival. Entitled "Going Digital," they provide a up-to-the-minute overview of filmmakers who are shooting features on digital video and transferring them to 35mm for theatrical release. Broderick will also be giving this presentation at the Rotterdam Film Festival in early February. The Independent Film Channel (IFC), managed and operated by Bravo Cable Network, is the first channel dedicated to independent film presented 24 hours a day, uncut and commercial-free. IFC, which launched on September 1, 1994, has the most extensive film library on television, with titles from Miramax, Sony Classics, October and Fine Line. The Independent Film Channel, reaching 23 million homes on a full-time basis, is the most widely distributed channel dedicated to independent film on television. |