Indie Films Face Uncertain Release as WB Shuts Down Picturehouse and WIP @ JustPressPlay

Friday.May.09.2008

Indie Films Face Uncertain Release as WB Shuts Down Picturehouse and WIP

Warner Bros. is closing both of their indie houses--Picturehouse and Warner Independent Pictures--today in what is said to be another cost-cutting effort, though the studio is citing the elimination of duplicate marketing, distribution and production functions as the primary reason. It's a move that's been anticipated for months, ever since WB acquired New Line Cinema and laid off 450 employees. Since Picturehouse catered towards films similar to those released by New Line, it was speculated that WIP and Picturehouse might merge into a single banner that would focus more on smaller and foreign films. Now both houses are gone, and 70 people lost teir jobs, though it seems that this was a necessary move to combat the surge of rising marketing and production costs.

WB President Alan Horn assures that this won't affect WB's attention towards independent films, saying "We’re confident that the spirit of independent filmmaking and the opportunity to find and give a voice to new talent will continue to have a presence at Warner Bros." Yet as of now, the status of Picturehouse and WIP's upcoming releases are uncertain. Management teams from both are meeting with WB execs in the coming weeks to discuss those projects.

These films include Amusement, Mongol, Kit Kittredge: An American Girl and Towelhead.

It sucks that it has to end like this, as I've been a big fan of Picturehouse's releases in the past (especially Pan's Labyrinth and the King of Kong) and I applaud their handling to make these films a hit. I wish these people luck in their future endeavors.

Full press release:

(May 8, 2008 – Burbank, CA) Picturehouse and Warner Independent Pictures will cease operations, it was announced today by Alan Horn, President & COO, Warner Bros.
“With New Line now a key part of Warner Bros., we’re able to handle films across the entire spectrum of genres and budgets without overlapping production, marketing and distribution infrastructures,” said Horn. “After much painstaking analysis, this was a difficult decision to make, but it reflects the reality of a changing marketplace and our need to prudently run our businesses with increased efficiencies. We’re confident that the spirit of independent filmmaking and the opportunity to find and give a voice to new talent will continue to have a presence at Warner Bros.”

Bob Berney has served as President, Picturehouse and Polly Cohen as President, Warner Independent Pictures. The management teams from both companies will be meeting in the weeks ahead with executives from the Warner Bros. Pictures Group to determine the status of projects in various stages of development and acquisition, as well as distribution of already-dated films.

"Working with Polly and her team at Warner Independent has been great for me personally and a valuable experience for the company,” said Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group. “I’d like to thank everyone at Warner Independent for their passion and dedication to independent films and filmmakers. They were involved with some very important films and helped further the talents and careers of a number of writers and directors, and between Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line, we’ll continue to nurture those relationships and produce those types of films.”

“Bob is an incredibly talented film executive and made Picturehouse an important player in the world of independent film in a relatively short time,” said Horn. “I’m extremely grateful to Bob and the entire team at Picturehouse. Their accomplishments and the films they created speak volumes about their dedication to and understanding of the art of film.”

Upcoming Picturehouse films include Mongol (June 6), Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (in limited release June 20; wide release on July 2) and The WomenTowelhead (August 8/) and SlumdogMillionaire (in limited release starting November 7). (September 12). Warner Independent’s upcoming releases include Towelhead (August 8/) and Slumdog Millionaire (in limited release starting November 7).

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