MoviePass Films and NEON Pact on Two-Picture Deal
Duo to partner on co-release of Sundance and Cannes Award-winning films MONSTERS AND MEN and BORDER
NEW YORK, NY – Sept. 24, 2018 – MoviePass Films, a joint venture between MoviePass Inc. corporate parent Helios and Matheson Analytics Inc. (Nasdaq: HMNY) and Emmett Furla Oasis (EFO) Films, and NEON, the award-winning independent distribution company behind such films as I, Tonya and Ingrid Goes West, have reached an agreement whereby MoviePass Films will invest in and partner to co-release NEON’s next two pictures: Reinaldo Marcus Green’s Sundance award-winner Monsters and Men and Ali Abassi’s Cannes award-winner Border, both of which will open in U.S. theaters in the fall.
The partnership will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the New York City premiere of Monsters and Men, ahead of the picture’s New York and Los Angeles limited opening this Thursday, Sept. 27. The poignant drama, written and directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, and starring John David Washington and newcomers Anthony Ramos and Kelvin Harrison Jr., won the Sundance Special Jury Prize for Outstanding First Feature this year. The film will be available at theaters nationwide in mid-October.
The partnership will continue later this calendar year with the release of Border, Ali Abassi’s stunning love story that took home the Top Prize in the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard sidebar this year. Border, which will have its stateside theatrical release in the fourth quarter, was recently selected as Sweden’s entry for best foreign-language film at this year’s 91st Academy Awards by the Swedish Film Institute.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with these acquisitions and being in business with an industry-leader such as NEON,” said MoviePass Films Chairman Ted Farnsworth and Co-CEO Randall Emmett. “These films are high-caliber, prestige titles and great fits for the MoviePass Films banner.”
MoviePass Films sister company MoviePass, the nation’s premier movie theater subscription service, will make Monsters and Men and Border available to subscribers as "Bonus Movies," which will not count toward their monthly in-theater movie allotment. MoviePass subscribers will also have a chance to attend the films’ red-carpet premieres and receive other special perks throughout the duration of the partnership. Moviefone, which is also owned by HMNY, will also support each release.
NEON remarked, “We are so happy to find a partner in MoviePass that shares our passion in supporting theatrical releases.”
MoviePass Films is quickly ramping up its co-financing, co-production and co-acquisition business, having just wrapped production on the Bruce Willis-starring 10 Minutes Gone, and is finalizing other co-productions and co-acquisitions.
The MoviePass Films/NEON deal was inked by Zac Bright, MoviePass Films’ newly minted President of Acquisitions, and NEON’s SVP of Acquisitions & Production, Jeff Deutchman.
About Helios and Matheson Analytics
Helios and Matheson Analytics Inc. (Nasdaq: HMNY) (“Helios”) is a provider of information technology services and solutions, offering a range of technology platforms focusing on big data, artificial intelligence, business intelligence, social listening, and consumer-centric technology. Helios currently owns approximately 92% of the outstanding shares (excluding options and warrants) of MoviePass Inc., the nation's premier movie-theater subscription service. Helios' holdings include RedZone Map™, a safety and navigation app for iOS and Android users, and a community-based ecosystem that features a socially empowered safety map app that enhances mobile GPS navigation using advanced proprietary technology. Helios is headquartered in New York, NY and listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol Helios. For more information, visit us at www.hmny.com.
About MoviePass Inc.
MoviePass Inc. (“MoviePass”) is a marketing technology platform enhancing the exploration of film and the moviegoing experience. As the nation's premier movie-theater subscription service, MoviePass provides film enthusiasts the ability to attend up to one new movie title per day in theaters. The service, now accepted at more than 91% of theaters across the United States, is the nation's largest theater network. Visit us at moviepass.com.
About MoviePass Films
MoviePass Films LLC is dedicated to supporting independent filmmakers and distributors by collaborating with creatives, co-acquiring equity stake in films and offering them enhanced performance in the theatrical window. A joint venture of Helios and Matheson Analytics Inc. and Emmett Furla Oasis (EFO) Films, MoviePass Films focuses on studio-driven content and new film production for theatrical release and other distribution channels, with the goal of democratizing the film production experience by bridging the gap between moviegoers and film industry endeavors.
About Neon
Founded in 2016, NEON is an award-winning independent film distribution studio. Its debut film was Nacho Vigalondo's Colossal, starring Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis. NEON was an active player at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, acquiring Reinaldo Marcus Green'sMonsters & Men, winner of the Sundance Dramatic Special Jury Award for Outstanding First Feature; Sam Levinson's Assassination Nation; and Tim Wardle's Three Identical Strangers, winner of the Sundance Special Jury Award for Storytelling. NEON had a record-breaking year with the release of the runaway hit winner I, Tonya, directed by Craig Gillespie, starring Margot Robbie and 2018 Oscar Winner for Best Supporting, Actress Allison Janney. Eliza Hittman's Sundance Award Winner Beach Rats, Matt Spicer's Sundance and Spirit Award Winner Ingrid Goes West; Laura Poitras's RISK, Ana Lily Amirpour's Venice Award Winner The Bad Batch and Errol Morris' The B-Side. After their successful collaboration on I, Tonya, 30WEST (Dan Friedkin's and Micah Green's strategic venture) partnered with NEON's Tom Quinn (Founder & CEO) and Tim League (Co-Founder) to become the majority investors in the company. At this year’s Toronto International Film Festival NEON purchased Brady Corbet's Natalie Portman starrer, VOX LUX, Tom Harper’s WILD ROSE and John Chester’s THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM.
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