Directors back distributor Cinelan
Company to produce three-minute films
Cinelan will focus on professionally produced, three-minute nonfiction films that will be distributed worldwide on multiple platforms, including the Internet, in digital cinemas, on TV and mobile phones.
The startup's syndication partners include U.K. publishing group Guardian News & Media, leading indie U.K. exhib chain Picturehouse Cinemas and Arts Alliance Media's digital distribution specialist Vizumi Network.
Cinelan is backed by London-based venture capital group Arts Alliance.
"Cinelan represents a new way for smart nonfiction films to reach mainstream audiences," said Spurlock. "It excites me as a filmmaker to know that avenues like this are expanding to reach global audiences with movies reflecting real information and original viewpoints outside traditional media."
While sites such as YouTube.com thrive on user-generated content, Cinelan will offer a multimedia distribution platform for professional and top-tier aspiring filmmakers.
Spurlock, James and Jarecki have joined Cinelan's Filmmaker Advisory Board, along with Ross Kauffman ("Born Into Brothels") and Jessica Yu ("Breathing Lessons"). All the helmers will also make shorts for the new company.
The idea for Cinelan came out of a conversation last year between Spurlock, branding guru David Wales and Arts Alliance managing partner Thomas Hoegh in which they discussed a new-media business model that could generate sustainable revenues while also satisfying auds' interest in short films and offering helmers more distribution platforms.
Former journo David Schrieberg -- he was Newsweek's South America bureau chief from 1994-97 --has been tapped to become Cinelan's chief exec, with David Laks appointed chief operating officer. Other execs tapped for the company include IndieWire co-founder Karol Martesko-Fenster.
"We've seen a tremendous growth in demand for high-quality, irresistible short films as online video moves beyond YouTube, and audiences crave more crafted and thoughtful companion video," said Schrieberg. "Through our unique delivery process and the power of our content, we can leverage our library to help partners and filmmakers reach audiences everywhere."
Cinelan execs are hoping to build the largest library of these short films available.
Arts Alliance Media is boosting its new media operations. Amazon.com agreed to sell its online DVD rental business in the U.K. and Germany to rival Lovefilm Intl., of which Arts Alliance is a shareholder.
