Distributors Take 'The World'

Distributors Take 'The World'

MULTIPLE COMPANIES UNITE TO DISTRIBUTE HIT FILM

'WERE THE WORLD MINE'

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolfe Video/ Wolfe Releasing, cable-television network Logo from MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom, along with record label PS Classics, have taken "The World." In a deal announced this week, agreement will bring together all entities in partnership with the filmmakers to distribute the festival hit musical comedy "WERE THE WORLD MINE" with unique broad exhibition that includes theatrical, digital, soundtrack and new media distribution.

"WERE THE WORLD MINE," directed by Tom Gustafson and co-written and co-produced by Gustafson and his life partner Cory Krueckeberg, has been wowing audiences at festivals across the US and around the world bringing filmgoers to their feet with standing ovations, while continuing to compile awards since it began its festival run at the 2008 Florida Film Festival where it took home the Audience Award for Best Film. Since then, the film has racked up 13 awards and countless critical accolades at over 30 film festivals worldwide, including the Grand Jury Prize (Heineken Red Star Award) at the recent OUTFEST 2008. "WERE THE WORLD MINE" is Gustafson's feature film directorial debut.

Distribution of the film is to be divided up with Wolfe handling DVD release and all digital rights that are extensions of home entertainment including EST (electronic sell through), MOD (manufacture on demand), and DTO (download to own). Logo will have broadcast rights along with Internet and broadband rights for the channel and its networks. A studio entity, to be announced under separate cover as part of a larger deal, will have PPV and VOD rights. As with all Wolfe titles, "WERE THE WORLD MINE" will also be available through partners such as Netflix and Blockbuster among others. Both Wolfe and Logo will jointly service distribution on iTunes and other such mobile entities.

The film's soundtrack, which garnered the Best Music Award at the 2008 Nashville Film Festival, will be released by label PS Classics and distributed worldwide by Image Entertainment. The label has announced a November 11 street date for retail sales and digital download of the soundtrack.

Inspired by the current trend of independent filmmakers empowering themselves through self-distribution, "WERE THE WORLD MINE" will be released theatrically in major markets beginning this November.

Internationally, the film has been sold to multiple territories and is in negotiations for several more.

"From the beginning, this film has been a labor of love for my partner Cory Krueckeberg and myself," says director, producer and co-writer Gustafson. "As the market shifted, we realized that not only did we need to provide a quick and complete return to our investors, but we needed to retain more control over the future of the film by dividing up the distribution in this unique way. It's difficult to give your work over to just anyone, so we took our time in finding the right home, and are confident and excited to partner with all of these companies. They have proven their passion for the film and their commitment to helping the film reach as wide an audience as possible."

"'WERE THE WORLD MINE' is the most creative and entertaining gay movie of the decade," says Maria Lynn, President of Wolfe Releasing. "Wolfe is absolutely thrilled to release this film and to introduce new audiences to what is already being acknowledged as a classic."

"We're excited to join our colleagues to bring this unique new film to the widest audience possible on every platform available," said Lisa Sherman, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Logo. "Gone are the days when gay filmmakers were restricted to urban art houses and film festivals. Today, there is a national distribution platform and we're excited to be part of that revolution."

"If ever a film called out for a soundtrack release, it's 'WERE THE WORLD MINE,'" said Tommy Krasker of PS Classics. "When we saw the film in New York, the audience's sense of joy was palpable. We look forward to capturing the film's infectious high spirits on the soundtrack."

"WERE THE WORLD MINE" centers on the life of struggling teen Timothy (played by newcomer Tanner Cohen). Armed with a magical love-potion and empowered by dazzling musical fantasies in his head, he turns his narrow-minded town gay and makes them walk a heartbreaking mile in his musical shoes. The film also stars Zelda Williams, Nathaniel David Becker, Wendy Robie, Jill Larson and Judy McLane and is produced by Gustafson, Krueckeberg and Peter Sterling for SPEAKproductions in association with Gill Holland's The Group Entertainment. The genesis for the film came from a previous short film written and directed by Gustafson entitled FAIRIES, which was a festival hit in 2004.

The deal was brokered by New American Vision on behalf of the filmmakers and producers.

About Wolfe

Now in its 23rd year, Wolfe is the oldest and largest exclusive distributor of gay and lesbian films in the world. In 2007, Wolfe released more than 20 films. Recent Wolfe titles include: Thom Fitzgerald's epic 3 NEEDLES (Selected by the United Nations for World AIDS Day 2007), LOVING ANNABELLE (the record-breaking release from Katherine Brooks), OUTING RILEY (from Project Greenlight Winner, Pete Jones), and the award-winning Taiwanese lesbian love story SPIDER LILIES (winner of the Teddy Award for best queer film at the 2007 Berlin Film Festival). Wolfe has been a long-standing leader in the video industry and enjoys significant sales with Target, Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, Amazon.com, Netflix, and Best Buy to name a few. Traffic to WolfeVideo.com now tops one million impressions each month.

About Logo

Logo is the world's leading ad-supported cable, satellite, online, mobile and digital entertainment network for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) audience, from MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom. Launched in 2005, Logo's cable channel is in more than 33 million homes across the United States and is complemented by a federation of online properties, including Logoonline.com, AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com, 365gay.com, DowneLink.com and NewNowNext.com. Logo's content is distributed across all leading download-to- own, streaming and mobile services. The most influential brand for the most influential audience, Logo provides a mix of original and acquired entertainment as well as news, social networking and community building that are authentic, smart, fun, entertaining, and inclusive. Logo joins MTV Networks' roster of popular and highly targeted brands including MTV, Comedy Central, VH1 and Spike TV.

About PS Classics

Founded in 2000 by Tommy Krasker & Philip Chaffin, PS Classics' releases have garnered four Grammy nominations. Recent releases include solo discs by Maureen McGovern, Victoria Clark and Kerry Butler, and the Broadway cast recordings of GREY GARDENS, COMPANY, XANADU and A CATERED AFFAIR. PS Classics is distributed worldwide by Image Entertainment.

Source: SPEAKproductions

CONTACT: David Magdael, +1-213-624-7827, dmagdael@tcdm-associates.com,
for SPEAKproductions

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