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Lantos launches Maximum Films
Tuesday August 28th 2007Producer Robert Lantos, founder and former Chairman/CEO of Alliance Communications Inc., today announced his return to international and domestic film distribution with the formation of two new companies, Maximum Films International and Maximum Film Distribution. The move reunites Lantos with two of his key former Alliance executives – Charlotte Mickie and Anthony Cianciotta. Maximum Films International. Charlotte Mickie will serve as Managing Director of Maximum Films International.
Mickie spent 20 years working under Lantos at Alliance, ultimately as President of Alliance Film International. Following Lantos’ sale of his controlling interest in Alliance, Mickie departed and assumed responsibilities as Managing Director at Paris-based film sales agent Celluloid Dreams. Throughout her career, Ms. Mickie has acquired and sold works by many of the world’s most acclaimed filmmakers, including Atom Egoyan, Michael Haneke, Michael Moore, Denys Arcand, François Ozon, David Cronenberg, Todd Haynes, Neil Labutte, Deepa Mehta, Todd Solondz, Jean-Claude Lauzon, Robert Lepage, Patricia Rozema and Alan Ball. With more than 25 years in the field of international sales, Ms. Mickie is considered one of the world’s most respected names in the area of specialty film.
"I have enormous respect for Robert, and it is wonderful to join a company where I know and adore so many of the people involved," Mickie said. "Robert was a true pioneer in the business, transforming Canada’s film distribution landscape and building Alliance into a significant force in international film sales. I have no doubt that his return to the business will provide filmmakers with a formidable advocate for their commercial and artistic best interests."
Maximum Film International will acquire, promote and sell independent films from around the world for theatrical release. Its initial slate, which will be launched at the Toronto International Film Festival in September is "Fugitive Pieces", written and directed by Jeremy Podeswa, starring Stephen Dillane, Rade Sherbedgia, Rosamund Pike and Ayelet Zurer, produced by Robert Lantos. It will be the Opening Night Gala at the Festival.
"My Winnipeg", written and directed by Guy Maddin. The film is a Documentary Channel original production commissioned by executive producer Michael Burns and produced by Jody Shapiro and Phyllis Laing. It will be a Special Presentation at this year’s Festival.
"Before the Rains", directed by Santosh Sivan and starring Linus Roache, Rahul Bose, Nandita Das and Jennifer Ehle, produced by Doug Mankoff, Andrew Spaulding, Paul Hardart, Tom Hardart and Mark Burton. The film is a Special Presentation at this year’s Festival.
"Real Time", written and directed by Randall Cole, starring Academy Award nominee Randy Quaid and Jay Baruchel ("Knocked Up"), produced by Julia Rosenberg, Paula Devonshire and Ari Lantos. The film is currently in post-production.
"Adoration", written and directed by Academy Award nominee Atom Egoyan, starring Scott Speedman, Rachel Blanchard and Arsinée Khanjian, produced by Simone Urdl and Jennifer Weiss, which begins shooting September 17th in Toronto.
"Cold Souls", written & directed by Sophie Barthes, starring Paul Giamatti and produced by Dan Carey, Paul Mezey, Elizabeth Giamatti, Jeremy Kipp Walker, which begins shooting in December, 2007.
"Charlotte has played a vital role in helping my films find an international audience," said Egoyan. "She’s highly respected around the world for her great taste and business sense. I’m thrilled to continue this relationship."
"It’s an enormous pleasure for me to be working with Charlotte Mickie again after our successful and very happy collaboration on ‘The Five Senses’, which Charlotte executive produced," said Podeswa. "She is simply the best foreign sales agent for films of artistic quality, bringing to them exceptional taste and sensitivity."
Maximum Film Distribution. Tony Cianciotta will serve as Managing Director of Maximum Film Distribution, English Canada. Maximum will acquire Canadian rights to quality films from Canada, the US and the rest of the world either through long term supply agreements or on an individual film-by-film basis. It will enter into strategic partnerships with both domestic and international producers and distributors during development and production in exchange for Canadian rights. Maximum will distribute its films in English and French in all media.
"I’m delighted to be working closely with Robert again," said Cianciotta. "I’ve always admired his business acumen and tremendous insight, and I am very pleased to be a part of this exciting undertaking."
Mr. Cianciotta was previously Senior Vice President and General Manager of Alliance Releasing, the film distribution division of Alliance Communications Corporation, the powerhouse Canadian entertainment company co-founded by Lantos. Cianciotta played a key role in the establishment of Alliance Releasing as the dominant force in Canadian film distribution, developing and maintaining longstanding relationships with such key U.S. film production and distribution companies as New Line, Miramax and Samuel Goldwyn.
Cianciotta was responsible for the Canadian distribution and marketing of such films as "Pulp Fiction", "Trainspotting", "The English Patient", "The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" franchise, "Austin Powers" and "Cinema Paradiso". Prior to joining Alliance, he was Senior Vice-President of Cineplex Odeon Corporation and Vice-President and General Manager of 20th Century Fox, Canada.
Maximum’s initial Canadian release slate will include "Fugitive Pieces", the Cannes 2007 Camera D’Or winner "Jelly Fish", Kenneth Branagh’s "The Magic Flute", Atom Egoyan’s "Adoration", Santosh Sivan’s "Before the Rains", and Sophie Barthes’ "Cold Souls".
Maximum has just signed an output deal with IFC Films, for the Canadian rights to all of its feature films. IFC Films is a leading theatrical film distribution company bringing the best of independent and specialized films to theaters in the United States. Recent films included the 2002 Oscar-nominated films "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and Alfonso Cuaron’s "Y Tu Mama Tambien".
Upcoming films to be distributed in Canada by Maximum Films include Hou Hsiao Hsien’s "The Flight of the Red Balloon", and Gus Van Sant’s "Paranoid Park". Long-time Lantos associate Mark Musselman will oversee business affairs for both the international and domestic operations – working alongside Mickie and Cianciotta.
Headline, Industry News
Lantos launches Maximum Films
Tuesday August 28th 2007Producer Robert Lantos, founder and former Chairman/CEO of Alliance Communications Inc., today announced his return to international and domestic film distribution with the formation of two new companies, Maximum Films International and Maximum Film Distribution. The move reunites Lantos with two of his key former Alliance executives – Charlotte Mickie and Anthony Cianciotta. Maximum Films International. Charlotte Mickie will serve as Managing Director of Maximum Films International.
Mickie spent 20 years working under Lantos at Alliance, ultimately as President of Alliance Film International. Following Lantos’ sale of his controlling interest in Alliance, Mickie departed and assumed responsibilities as Managing Director at Paris-based film sales agent Celluloid Dreams. Throughout her career, Ms. Mickie has acquired and sold works by many of the world’s most acclaimed filmmakers, including Atom Egoyan, Michael Haneke, Michael Moore, Denys Arcand, François Ozon, David Cronenberg, Todd Haynes, Neil Labutte, Deepa Mehta, Todd Solondz, Jean-Claude Lauzon, Robert Lepage, Patricia Rozema and Alan Ball. With more than 25 years in the field of international sales, Ms. Mickie is considered one of the world’s most respected names in the area of specialty film.
"I have enormous respect for Robert, and it is wonderful to join a company where I know and adore so many of the people involved," Mickie said. "Robert was a true pioneer in the business, transforming Canada’s film distribution landscape and building Alliance into a significant force in international film sales. I have no doubt that his return to the business will provide filmmakers with a formidable advocate for their commercial and artistic best interests."
Maximum Film International will acquire, promote and sell independent films from around the world for theatrical release. Its initial slate, which will be launched at the Toronto International Film Festival in September is "Fugitive Pieces", written and directed by Jeremy Podeswa, starring Stephen Dillane, Rade Sherbedgia, Rosamund Pike and Ayelet Zurer, produced by Robert Lantos. It will be the Opening Night Gala at the Festival.
"My Winnipeg", written and directed by Guy Maddin. The film is a Documentary Channel original production commissioned by executive producer Michael Burns and produced by Jody Shapiro and Phyllis Laing. It will be a Special Presentation at this year’s Festival.
"Before the Rains", directed by Santosh Sivan and starring Linus Roache, Rahul Bose, Nandita Das and Jennifer Ehle, produced by Doug Mankoff, Andrew Spaulding, Paul Hardart, Tom Hardart and Mark Burton. The film is a Special Presentation at this year’s Festival.
"Real Time", written and directed by Randall Cole, starring Academy Award nominee Randy Quaid and Jay Baruchel ("Knocked Up"), produced by Julia Rosenberg, Paula Devonshire and Ari Lantos. The film is currently in post-production.
"Adoration", written and directed by Academy Award nominee Atom Egoyan, starring Scott Speedman, Rachel Blanchard and Arsinée Khanjian, produced by Simone Urdl and Jennifer Weiss, which begins shooting September 17th in Toronto.
"Cold Souls", written & directed by Sophie Barthes, starring Paul Giamatti and produced by Dan Carey, Paul Mezey, Elizabeth Giamatti, Jeremy Kipp Walker, which begins shooting in December, 2007.
"Charlotte has played a vital role in helping my films find an international audience," said Egoyan. "She’s highly respected around the world for her great taste and business sense. I’m thrilled to continue this relationship."
"It’s an enormous pleasure for me to be working with Charlotte Mickie again after our successful and very happy collaboration on ‘The Five Senses’, which Charlotte executive produced," said Podeswa. "She is simply the best foreign sales agent for films of artistic quality, bringing to them exceptional taste and sensitivity."
Maximum Film Distribution. Tony Cianciotta will serve as Managing Director of Maximum Film Distribution, English Canada. Maximum will acquire Canadian rights to quality films from Canada, the US and the rest of the world either through long term supply agreements or on an individual film-by-film basis. It will enter into strategic partnerships with both domestic and international producers and distributors during development and production in exchange for Canadian rights. Maximum will distribute its films in English and French in all media.
"I’m delighted to be working closely with Robert again," said Cianciotta. "I’ve always admired his business acumen and tremendous insight, and I am very pleased to be a part of this exciting undertaking."
Mr. Cianciotta was previously Senior Vice President and General Manager of Alliance Releasing, the film distribution division of Alliance Communications Corporation, the powerhouse Canadian entertainment company co-founded by Lantos. Cianciotta played a key role in the establishment of Alliance Releasing as the dominant force in Canadian film distribution, developing and maintaining longstanding relationships with such key U.S. film production and distribution companies as New Line, Miramax and Samuel Goldwyn.
Cianciotta was responsible for the Canadian distribution and marketing of such films as "Pulp Fiction", "Trainspotting", "The English Patient", "The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" franchise, "Austin Powers" and "Cinema Paradiso". Prior to joining Alliance, he was Senior Vice-President of Cineplex Odeon Corporation and Vice-President and General Manager of 20th Century Fox, Canada.
Maximum’s initial Canadian release slate will include "Fugitive Pieces", the Cannes 2007 Camera D’Or winner "Jelly Fish", Kenneth Branagh’s "The Magic Flute", Atom Egoyan’s "Adoration", Santosh Sivan’s "Before the Rains", and Sophie Barthes’ "Cold Souls".
Maximum has just signed an output deal with IFC Films, for the Canadian rights to all of its feature films. IFC Films is a leading theatrical film distribution company bringing the best of independent and specialized films to theaters in the United States. Recent films included the 2002 Oscar-nominated films "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and Alfonso Cuaron’s "Y Tu Mama Tambien".
Upcoming films to be distributed in Canada by Maximum Films include Hou Hsiao Hsien’s "The Flight of the Red Balloon", and Gus Van Sant’s "Paranoid Park". Long-time Lantos associate Mark Musselman will oversee business affairs for both the international and domestic operations – working alongside Mickie and Cianciotta.
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Headline, Industry News
Lantos launches Maximum Films
Tuesday August 28th 2007Producer Robert Lantos, founder and former Chairman/CEO of Alliance Communications Inc., today announced his return to international and domestic film distribution with the formation of two new companies, Maximum Films International and Maximum Film Distribution. The move reunites Lantos with two of his key former Alliance executives – Charlotte Mickie and Anthony Cianciotta. Maximum Films International. Charlotte Mickie will serve as Managing Director of Maximum Films International.
Mickie spent 20 years working under Lantos at Alliance, ultimately as President of Alliance Film International. Following Lantos’ sale of his controlling interest in Alliance, Mickie departed and assumed responsibilities as Managing Director at Paris-based film sales agent Celluloid Dreams. Throughout her career, Ms. Mickie has acquired and sold works by many of the world’s most acclaimed filmmakers, including Atom Egoyan, Michael Haneke, Michael Moore, Denys Arcand, François Ozon, David Cronenberg, Todd Haynes, Neil Labutte, Deepa Mehta, Todd Solondz, Jean-Claude Lauzon, Robert Lepage, Patricia Rozema and Alan Ball. With more than 25 years in the field of international sales, Ms. Mickie is considered one of the world’s most respected names in the area of specialty film.
"I have enormous respect for Robert, and it is wonderful to join a company where I know and adore so many of the people involved," Mickie said. "Robert was a true pioneer in the business, transforming Canada’s film distribution landscape and building Alliance into a significant force in international film sales. I have no doubt that his return to the business will provide filmmakers with a formidable advocate for their commercial and artistic best interests."
Maximum Film International will acquire, promote and sell independent films from around the world for theatrical release. Its initial slate, which will be launched at the Toronto International Film Festival in September is "Fugitive Pieces", written and directed by Jeremy Podeswa, starring Stephen Dillane, Rade Sherbedgia, Rosamund Pike and Ayelet Zurer, produced by Robert Lantos. It will be the Opening Night Gala at the Festival.
"My Winnipeg", written and directed by Guy Maddin. The film is a Documentary Channel original production commissioned by executive producer Michael Burns and produced by Jody Shapiro and Phyllis Laing. It will be a Special Presentation at this year’s Festival.
"Before the Rains", directed by Santosh Sivan and starring Linus Roache, Rahul Bose, Nandita Das and Jennifer Ehle, produced by Doug Mankoff, Andrew Spaulding, Paul Hardart, Tom Hardart and Mark Burton. The film is a Special Presentation at this year’s Festival.
"Real Time", written and directed by Randall Cole, starring Academy Award nominee Randy Quaid and Jay Baruchel ("Knocked Up"), produced by Julia Rosenberg, Paula Devonshire and Ari Lantos. The film is currently in post-production.
"Adoration", written and directed by Academy Award nominee Atom Egoyan, starring Scott Speedman, Rachel Blanchard and Arsinée Khanjian, produced by Simone Urdl and Jennifer Weiss, which begins shooting September 17th in Toronto.
"Cold Souls", written & directed by Sophie Barthes, starring Paul Giamatti and produced by Dan Carey, Paul Mezey, Elizabeth Giamatti, Jeremy Kipp Walker, which begins shooting in December, 2007.
"Charlotte has played a vital role in helping my films find an international audience," said Egoyan. "She’s highly respected around the world for her great taste and business sense. I’m thrilled to continue this relationship."
"It’s an enormous pleasure for me to be working with Charlotte Mickie again after our successful and very happy collaboration on ‘The Five Senses’, which Charlotte executive produced," said Podeswa. "She is simply the best foreign sales agent for films of artistic quality, bringing to them exceptional taste and sensitivity."
Maximum Film Distribution. Tony Cianciotta will serve as Managing Director of Maximum Film Distribution, English Canada. Maximum will acquire Canadian rights to quality films from Canada, the US and the rest of the world either through long term supply agreements or on an individual film-by-film basis. It will enter into strategic partnerships with both domestic and international producers and distributors during development and production in exchange for Canadian rights. Maximum will distribute its films in English and French in all media.
"I’m delighted to be working closely with Robert again," said Cianciotta. "I’ve always admired his business acumen and tremendous insight, and I am very pleased to be a part of this exciting undertaking."
Mr. Cianciotta was previously Senior Vice President and General Manager of Alliance Releasing, the film distribution division of Alliance Communications Corporation, the powerhouse Canadian entertainment company co-founded by Lantos. Cianciotta played a key role in the establishment of Alliance Releasing as the dominant force in Canadian film distribution, developing and maintaining longstanding relationships with such key U.S. film production and distribution companies as New Line, Miramax and Samuel Goldwyn.
Cianciotta was responsible for the Canadian distribution and marketing of such films as "Pulp Fiction", "Trainspotting", "The English Patient", "The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" franchise, "Austin Powers" and "Cinema Paradiso". Prior to joining Alliance, he was Senior Vice-President of Cineplex Odeon Corporation and Vice-President and General Manager of 20th Century Fox, Canada.
Maximum’s initial Canadian release slate will include "Fugitive Pieces", the Cannes 2007 Camera D’Or winner "Jelly Fish", Kenneth Branagh’s "The Magic Flute", Atom Egoyan’s "Adoration", Santosh Sivan’s "Before the Rains", and Sophie Barthes’ "Cold Souls".
Maximum has just signed an output deal with IFC Films, for the Canadian rights to all of its feature films. IFC Films is a leading theatrical film distribution company bringing the best of independent and specialized films to theaters in the United States. Recent films included the 2002 Oscar-nominated films "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and Alfonso Cuaron’s "Y Tu Mama Tambien".
Upcoming films to be distributed in Canada by Maximum Films include Hou Hsiao Hsien’s "The Flight of the Red Balloon", and Gus Van Sant’s "Paranoid Park". Long-time Lantos associate Mark Musselman will oversee business affairs for both the international and domestic operations – working alongside Mickie and Cianciotta.
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