Funimation Entertainment and Sabella Dern Entertainment Launch Funimation Films
*** FUNimation Entertainment and Sabella Dern Entertainment Launch FUNimation Films ***
- FUNimation Films initiative to be available in theatres nationwide through The Bigger Picture distribution program -
FORT WORTH, TX -- March 2, 2006 -- FUNimation Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, announced the development of FUNimation Films with The Bigger Picture, a subsidiary of Sabella Dern Entertainment. FUNimation Films is another phase in FUNimation's strategy to grow the anime community and bring quality anime to entertainment audiences throughout the United States.
FUNimation Films is a monthly initiative that will bring top-rated anime features and series premiers to movie theatres across the nation. The program will launch on March 17, 2006 in select Landmark theatres. Moviegoers will be treated to a special showing of the Dragon Ball Z feature The Return of Cooler, followed by the main event: the U.S. premiere of the Dragon Ball Z movie Fusion Reborn.
"Anime is a growing entertainment segment in the United States and we want to give anime fans a place they can go each month to see the top anime titles in the United States on the big screen," explained Gen Fukunaga, president of FUNimation Entertainment. "The Bigger Picture's digital distribution network provides access to theatres throughout the country and is a great fit for FUNimation Films."
"Our partnership with FUNimation for new anime in theatres will help bring anime even more into the mainstream," adds Jonathan Dern, co-CEO of The Bigger Picture, "while the communal nature of the in-theatre experience is much like that of a fan convention."
The Bigger Picture is a theatrical distribution company specializing in the digital distribution of films targeted to underserved audiences during "off-peak" hours. The Bigger Picture's release program provides fans with an opportunity to enjoy new movies on the big screen on a regular basis.
"The theatrical exhibition community has embraced the Bigger Picture's slate of targeted content, as it provides them with a guaranteed supply of films with a built-in fan base" says Greg Rutkowski, co-CEO of The Bigger Picture.
FUNimation also announced the titles that will be featured during April and May. In April, FUNimation Films will give fans a chance to preview the upcoming Basilisk series. Basilisk is a beautifully crafted ninja-horror-action series from the acclaimed Studio GONZO. In May, FUNimation Films will be previewing another GONZO creation known as Trinity Blood. Trinity Blood is a post-apocalyptic vampire action and conspiracy series that creates a unique visual palette by combining futuristic fantasy and gothic fashion.
FUNimation Films will be available in Landmark theatres nationwide in the Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis, Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. markets. More theatre chains and theatres will be added each week and fans can find out where they can watch FUNimation Films in their area on the FUNimation Films website (www.funimationfilms.com). A database is being created and fans can search by zip code for the nearest theatre featuring FUNimation Films.
About FUNimation Entertainment
FUNimation� Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is a brand management company and one of the nation's leading independent home video entertainment companies. The company's most recent initiative is the FUNimation ChannelSM, a new, 24-hour digital network featuring programming from the top anime brands in the United States. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution. For images, or more information on FUNimation Entertainment, the FUNimation Channel, or any of FUNimation's properties, contact Jeff Dronen at 817-788-0627, ext. 251 or jeff.dronen@funimation.com.
About Sabella Dern Entertainment, Inc.
Sabella Dern Entertainment, Inc. is a property creation and animation studio that develops, enhances and re-brands global intellectual properties. The company is led by one of the most respected teams in worldwide animation, Paul Sabella and Jonathan Dern, former co-heads of MGM Animation. While at MGM, the two helmed successful animated productions for both film and television.
In addition to property creation and production, the company has formed two theatrical distribution subsidiaries specializing in digital exhibition - The Bigger Picture, a subsidiary releasing targeted content to theatrical audiences (www.thebiggerpicture.us); and KidToon Films (www.kidtoonfilms.com), a leader in the distribution of G-rated matinee movies for kids and families at theatres throughout the country.
For more information, please visit www.sdentertainment.net.
- FUNimation Films initiative to be available in theatres nationwide through The Bigger Picture distribution program -
FORT WORTH, TX -- March 2, 2006 -- FUNimation Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, announced the development of FUNimation Films with The Bigger Picture, a subsidiary of Sabella Dern Entertainment. FUNimation Films is another phase in FUNimation's strategy to grow the anime community and bring quality anime to entertainment audiences throughout the United States.
FUNimation Films is a monthly initiative that will bring top-rated anime features and series premiers to movie theatres across the nation. The program will launch on March 17, 2006 in select Landmark theatres. Moviegoers will be treated to a special showing of the Dragon Ball Z feature The Return of Cooler, followed by the main event: the U.S. premiere of the Dragon Ball Z movie Fusion Reborn.
"Anime is a growing entertainment segment in the United States and we want to give anime fans a place they can go each month to see the top anime titles in the United States on the big screen," explained Gen Fukunaga, president of FUNimation Entertainment. "The Bigger Picture's digital distribution network provides access to theatres throughout the country and is a great fit for FUNimation Films."
"Our partnership with FUNimation for new anime in theatres will help bring anime even more into the mainstream," adds Jonathan Dern, co-CEO of The Bigger Picture, "while the communal nature of the in-theatre experience is much like that of a fan convention."
The Bigger Picture is a theatrical distribution company specializing in the digital distribution of films targeted to underserved audiences during "off-peak" hours. The Bigger Picture's release program provides fans with an opportunity to enjoy new movies on the big screen on a regular basis.
"The theatrical exhibition community has embraced the Bigger Picture's slate of targeted content, as it provides them with a guaranteed supply of films with a built-in fan base" says Greg Rutkowski, co-CEO of The Bigger Picture.
FUNimation also announced the titles that will be featured during April and May. In April, FUNimation Films will give fans a chance to preview the upcoming Basilisk series. Basilisk is a beautifully crafted ninja-horror-action series from the acclaimed Studio GONZO. In May, FUNimation Films will be previewing another GONZO creation known as Trinity Blood. Trinity Blood is a post-apocalyptic vampire action and conspiracy series that creates a unique visual palette by combining futuristic fantasy and gothic fashion.
FUNimation Films will be available in Landmark theatres nationwide in the Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis, Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. markets. More theatre chains and theatres will be added each week and fans can find out where they can watch FUNimation Films in their area on the FUNimation Films website (www.funimationfilms.com). A database is being created and fans can search by zip code for the nearest theatre featuring FUNimation Films.
About FUNimation Entertainment
FUNimation� Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is a brand management company and one of the nation's leading independent home video entertainment companies. The company's most recent initiative is the FUNimation ChannelSM, a new, 24-hour digital network featuring programming from the top anime brands in the United States. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution. For images, or more information on FUNimation Entertainment, the FUNimation Channel, or any of FUNimation's properties, contact Jeff Dronen at 817-788-0627, ext. 251 or jeff.dronen@funimation.com.
About Sabella Dern Entertainment, Inc.
Sabella Dern Entertainment, Inc. is a property creation and animation studio that develops, enhances and re-brands global intellectual properties. The company is led by one of the most respected teams in worldwide animation, Paul Sabella and Jonathan Dern, former co-heads of MGM Animation. While at MGM, the two helmed successful animated productions for both film and television.
In addition to property creation and production, the company has formed two theatrical distribution subsidiaries specializing in digital exhibition - The Bigger Picture, a subsidiary releasing targeted content to theatrical audiences (www.thebiggerpicture.us); and KidToon Films (www.kidtoonfilms.com), a leader in the distribution of G-rated matinee movies for kids and families at theatres throughout the country.
For more information, please visit www.sdentertainment.net.
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