FEB. 3 | Arts Alliance America has changed its name to Virgil Films and Entertainment.
The name change coincides with a change in ownership. AAA president Joe Amodei is now owner of the company, which he founded as Hart Sharp Video before it became AAA.
AAA had been part of Arts Alliance Media, a digital cinema company in Europe. AAM continues to have a financial interest in Amodei’s company.
“I am indebted to them and in particular owner Thomas Heogh and CEO Howard Keidaisch for helping to make this happen,” Amodei said.
The new company is named after an old friend of Amodei’s who inspired him to get into the film business.
“We will continue to do what we do best, which is maximizing sales on niche product,” Amodei said. “The industry has definitely changed, and you need to be more diligent in every phase of your business, but it’s still fun. Most of the time.”
Virgil Films retains rights to the company’s future slate and catalog, including the upcoming release of The Caller, starring Frank Langella, due on DVD April 7.
The company plans to continue to release theatrical features, documentaries, special interest and sports programming. Recent successes have included The Perfect Season: The 2008 Phillies Yearbook, chronicling the World Series-winning Philadelphia Phillies.
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