Exec distribution trio unleashes Lightning
Guardian sees 'Beyond' his past post
Guardian will be prexy of the new entity, which will debut at the American Film Market (Feb. 20-27). Goldberg and Greenberg will provide the initial funding to cover overhead, as well as acquisitions and co-productions.
Mainline Releasing will continue to operate separately as a video and TV distributor.
Guardian was previously at Beyond Films' L.A. office. He exited the company when the Australian-based outfit decided to shutter that office in October 2001.
"While many companies are abandoning the international sales scene, we see room for growth," Guardian says. "There are a number of suppliers of big-budget, studio-level films and many sellers of lower-end product, but only a few companies servicing the need for mid-budget theatrical films. That is an area where we will operate."
"Marc and I are solid believers in the ever-growing demand for content," Goldberg adds. "Richard's experience, contacts and reputation on all levels of the film business will help us grow Lightning Entertainment into an important and successful supplier of filmed entertainment."
Lighting aims to handle between six and eight theatrical titles a year for worldwide distribution as well as to package features, look for co-production partners, equity investment from distributors, tax-driven funds, subsidies and other sources of financing.
Lightning Entertainment has also contracted Joseph Dickstein, Mainline's VP of acquisitions, to work as acquisitions consultant for the new company.
Guardian, who started his career 23 years ago in the international theatrical distribution and marketing department of United Artists, has worked for such companies as Hoyts Theatres, De Laurentiis Entertainment, Overseas Filmgroup/First Look Pictures, HBO Enterprises and George Litto Pictures, where he has worked on such titles as "Richard III," "God's Army/The Prophecy" and "The Secret of Roan Inish."
Most recently at Beyond Films, he sold "Lantana's" U.S. rights to Lions Gate Releasing and acquired international rights to "The Business of Strangers," released Stateside by IFC Films.
