Sundance Channel Acquires U.S. Rights to Ten-Part Short Film Series The Art Of Seduction

Sundance Channel Acquires U.S. Rights to Ten-Part Short Film Series The Art Of Seduction

Anthology of 10 Two-Minute Short Films to Debut on sundancechannel.com and Via Helio Mobile Service

NEW YORK, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Sundance Channel has acquired all U.S. rights to The Art of Seduction, an anthology of short films about seduction, featuring the work of ten Canadian filmmakers. The announcement was made today by Laura Michalchyshyn, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Programming and Creative Affairs, Sundance Channel. Each week one of the ten two-minute pieces will premiere simultaneously on sundancechannel.com and exclusively for mobile via Helio, beginning with Guy Maddin's Nude Caboose on October 30, 2006. The films will also be available for sale via Sundance Channel's digital partners. The series was acquired from the Toronto based production company, marblemedia.

"This is the first time Sundance Channel has acquired programming that will debut on digital platforms," said Sundance Channel Vice President Digital Media and Business Strategy, Christopher Barry. "Premiering these films on our website and via our mobile partner, Helio, reflects our commitment to seek original content that can be distributed across multiple digital platforms."

"As a leading destination for independent-minded viewers, Sundance Channel has delivered great programming for over a decade," said Craig Shapiro, Head of Content at Helio. "We are proud to be partnering with them and we look forward to extending Sundance Channel's superior brand in the Mobile arena."

"Premiering The Art of Seduction on both sundancechannel.com/seduction and Helio is a perfect fit for this anthology," said Matt Hornburg Partner and Producer of marblemedia. "These innovative partnerships enable us to showcase a new way of filmmaking to audiences in an evolving media landscape."

In addition to the short films, Sundance Channel will launch exclusive content around the film project on a dedicated mini-site at www.sundancechannel.com/seduction.

The Art of Seduction minisite will house quizzes and polls, podcasts, exclusive video, filmmaker profiles and user-generated stories.

The Art of Seduction is a presentation of CHUM Television's Bravo!FACT, and a is a co-production of the NFB and marblemedia. It is produced with the financial participation of Sundance Channel, Telefilm Canada, Ontario Media Development Corporation and Ericsson Canada Inc.

FILM DESCRIPTIONS

A jovial shirtless man attempts to rouse a contingent of lethargic dancers to life in Nude Caboose. His hijinks really get the deadbeats bustin' out until something unusual catches his eye. Dance floor seduction distilled into a fateful moment! Directed by Winnipeg-based Guy Maddin and produced by Jody Shapiro. Premieres on Monday, October 30th, 2006

Strip Show takes us inside two minutes in the life of Web Cam Girl who will do anything to fulfill her online clients' every fantasy, no matter how odd. But RCKHRD23 seems to have ulterior motives. Directed by Toronto-based Adam and Dave, and produced by Matt Hornburg (marblemedia) and Silva Basmajian (NFB). Premieres on Monday, November 6th, 2006

In Electric Chairs, wheelchair-bound Grandpa may be 95-years-old but he's still young at heart. Even at his own birthday party, he is lured away by an ageing "babe" on an electric scooter. Proof indeed that you're never too old to play the game. Directed by Anita McGee, a notable filmmaker from the East Coast of Canada, and produced by Matt Hornburg (marblemedia) and Silva Basmajian (NFB). Premieres on Monday, November 13th, 2006

In the animated short M.O.O.D, the heart will go to any length to become the object of its love's desire. So it woos, coos and even "awoos." But in the end not even the heart can always get what it wants. Directed by Vancouver-based Ann Marie Fleming and produced by Michael Fukushima (NFB). Premieres on Monday, November 20h, 2006

In Not Pretty Really, being good-looking has its perks: compliments from complete strangers, free meals, even a seat on a private jet, but as these dashing young men and women confess, sometimes being beautiful can be a burden in fair disguise. Directed by Toronto-based Mark McKinney, and produced by Matt Hornburg (marblemedia) and Silva Basmajian (NFB). Premieres on Monday, November 27th, 2006

In 120 Seconds to Get Elected, a politician has just a couple of minutes to convince people to vote for him, and tries to seduce his audience with promises he thinks they want to hear. Directed by Montreal-based Denis Villeneuve and produced by Colette Loumede (NFB). Premieres on Monday, December 4th, 2006

In Dirty Dog, when his girlfriend kicks him out of their apartment, a repentant young man tries to win back her heart by serenading her with his trusty guitar. The results are not quite as he'd expected. Directed by Vancouver-based Trent Carlson and produced by Lori Lozinski. Premieres on Monday, December 11th, 2006

Set to a kinetic soundtrack, Sou is a dazzling multi-layered animated collage piece on how a Western man, through ill-equipped eyes, views the seductive qualities of the pell mell kitsch that is the modern Japanese society. Directed by Montreal-based Theodore Ushev and produced by Michael Fukushima (NFB). Premieres on Monday, December 18th, 2006

On Fire: One man. One pole. Two different lives. The young man gyrating and twirling sensually around the pole is not your average dancer. Directed by Toronto-based Jenn Goodwin, and produced by Matt Hornburg (marblemedia) and Silva Basmajian (NFB). Premieres on Monday, December 25th, 2006

CameraHead is the 10th film in the Art of Seduction anthology. The short, directed by hip-hop artist k-os and produced by Natalie Galazka, is currently in production. Premieres on Monday, January 1st, 2007

Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold, uncompromising and irreverent, Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries, and original programs, all uncut and commercial free. Launched in 1996, Sundance Channel is a venture of NBC Universal, Showtime Networks Inc. and Robert Redford. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overall Sundance mission of encouraging artistic freedom of expression. Sundance Channel's website address is www.sundancechannel.com.

Source: Sundance Channel

CONTACT: Sarah Eaton, +1-212-708-8043, sarah.eaton@sundancechannel.com,
or Katie Lanegran, +1-212-708-8044, katie.lanegran@sundancechannel.com

Web site: http://www.sundancechannel.com/

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