IFC titles to be distributed by MPI

PHYSICAL: Deal won't change Blockbuster exclusive

By Cindy Spielvogel -- Video Business, 6/3/2009

JUNE 3 | PHYSICAL: IFC Films DVDs will now be distributed by MPI Media Group. MPI replaces Genius Products, whose deal to distribute IFC titles expired at the end of 2008.

The agreement includes about 30 theatrical titles per year, which will continue to have an exclusive window with Blockbuster, IFC Films executive VP of sales and business development Lisa Schwartz said.

Also included are about 60 titles per year under the IFC Festival Direct initiative that are not subject to the Blockbuster exclusive, she said. MPI will distribute these titles to all rental and sell-through accounts at the same time.

IFC debuts about 30 films per year day-and-date in theaters and on video-on-demand, Schwartz said. Those films will continue to receive a 60-day window at Blockbuster before they are distributed to sell-through accounts. They cannot be distributed to other rental accounts until after they are with Blockbuster for three years.

MPI will now service IFC’s existing DVD agreement with Blockbuster as well as distribute those titles to other accounts after the exclusive window.

A few titles will be exceptions. Blockbuster will get some of the Festival Direct titles, and some IFC theatrical titles will not be distributed by MPI but by other means to be announced later, Schwartz said.

Indie retailers have been critical of IFC’s exclusive arrangement with Blockbuster. But Schwartz said Blockbuster “has been a terrific partner for IFC, raising the profile” of the films by placing them on the new release shelves.

The deal with MPI marks no change in IFC’s deal with Blockbuster, she said.

Schwartz said IFC chose MPI because of its “experience with specialty product and their passion for it.”

MPI has been expanding its independent film offerings, last year making an agreement with Music Box Films to release the sleeper indie hit Tell No One as well as other titles.

MPI also created the Dark Sky Films label for horror films as well as the indie label Dokument films.

MPI will begin distributing the IFC titles in August. The first two releases will be Apres Lui starring Catherine Deneuve and Nights and Weekends, a relationship drama.

IFC distributes its theatrical titles simultaneously in theaters and on demand through its IFC in Theaters program. IFC Festival Direct offers film festival titles solely on VOD.