Sundance, Hypnotic field 'Shorts Stop'
Short-film series to be shopped to third-party ancillary outlets
Show will be shopped to third-party ancillary outlets, including broadcast television, cable, broadband channels, airlines and hotels; it has not been skedded to appear on the Sundance Channel or Hypnotic's Web site.
"This new series demonstrates our commitment to working with established brands like Sundance Channel to reach a wider audience and open new, profitable markets for short films,'' said Hypnotic's prexy and chief operating officer Jeremy Bernard.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, nor was the minimum episode commitment. The companies plan an equal split from sales.
Hypnotic and Sundance Channel will produce the series using Hypnotic's library of shorts and animated films and Sundance Channel's in-house production expertise.
United by theme
Each one-hour program will have a specific theme, such as student filmmakers, animation or urban films. Using interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, the series will look at the filmmakers and creative process behind the short films.
"This program with Hypnotic gives us a unique opportunity to extend the Sundance Channel brand to new audiences and expand the scope of opportunities for short filmmakers," said Sundance Channel prexy-CEO Larry Aidem.
In a separate deal, Sundance Channel has acquired U.S. pay television rights to three short films through Hypnotic: Anthony Dominici's "Peter Rabbit and the Crucifix," Greg Durbin's "Boundaries" and Ari Gold's "Culture." The three films are being considered for inclusion in the new series.
The Sundance Channel, which bowed in 1996, is a venture of Robert Redford, Showtime Networks and U, which is also an investor in Hypnotic.
