SANTA MONICA, Calif.,
Sept. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
Codeblack Films, a Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) company, announced today
that it has entered into a first look agreement with acclaimed
independent producer Datari Turner. Under the terms of the
agreement, Codeblack will have all distribution rights to Turner's
microbudget film productions throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Turner will produce all films through his Datari Turner Productions
banner.
"Datari has quickly established himself as a prolific producer
with a keen ability to make powerful films that connect with
moviegoers," said Codeblack Films President Jeff Clanagan. "The Codeblack family is
proud to work with him as part of our goal of empowering filmmakers
who create quality movies that showcase diversity for an often
underserved multicultural audience."
Turner added, "I'm thrilled to be in business with Codeblack
Films and Lionsgate, two industry leaders who distribute a diverse
array of content and have shown a keen understanding of films that
explore the African American experience. Jeff Clanagan
has been a longtime supporter of my films and is an industry
force in the marketing of independent films. It only makes
sense that we partner up and make films together."
Turner has produced a diverse line-up of films that includes the
Sundance sensation LUV, starring
rapper/actor Common, Danny Glover
and Dennis Haysbert; the dark comedy IT'S A DISASTER,
starring Julia Stiles and America
Ferrera; the popular indie comedy DYSFUNCTIONAL
FRIENDS; VIDEO GIRL starring Meagan
Good and Academy Award® nominee Ruby
Dee; the James Franco drama ABOUT CHERRY, starring Academy
Award nominee Franco and Dev Petal, which premiered at the 62nd
Annual Berlin Festival to critical acclaim; KILIMANJARO starring
Brian Geraghty and Abigail Spencer; and the award-winning
Sundance film ANOTHER HAPPY DAY,
starring Demi Moore, Ellen Barkin and Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn.
The agreement was negotiated by Codeblack Films EVP &
General Manager Quincy Newell,
Lionsgate EVP Business & Legal Affairs Jean Chi and executive
Greg Snodgrass of Business Affairs
Inc. Turner is represented by CAA.
About Codeblack Films
Codeblack Films, a division of
leading global entertainment company LIONSGATE®, is a vertically
integrated film production and distribution company focused on
providing independent studios, filmmakers, globally-recognized
celebrities, intellectual property rights holders and brands cross
platform monetization solutions. Entertainment industry
veteran Jeff Clanagan founded
Codeblack Films in 2012. Codeblack Films' core objective is
to serve the global black community with quality programming and
help its content and brand partners access the enormous spending
power of the rapidly growing African-American consumer market.
In July 2013, Codeblack Films
released the sleeper hit KEVIN HART:
LET ME EXPLAIN from superstar comedian and actor Kevin Hart, which generated over $32 million at the domestic box office.
Codeblack has also recently released Shola Lynch's 2013 NAACP Image
Award winner FREE ANGELA AND ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS, George
Tillman Jr. and Alicia Keyes'
critically acclaimed and NAACP Image Award nominated THE INEVITABLE
DEFEAT OF MISTER & PETE starring Academy Award winner
Jennifer Hudson, the independent
thriller REPENTANCE, starring Academy Award winner Forest
Whitaker, Anthony Mackie and Sanaa Lathan and the
Golden Globe nominated FRANKIE & ALICE, starring Academy Award
winner Halle Berry. Codeblack
is set to release the sexy and provocative thriller ADDICTED from
celebrated author Zane on October 10,
2014.
Through parent company Lionsgate, Codeblack Films' operational
capabilities include motion picture production and distribution,
strategic acquisitions, television programming and syndication,
home entertainment distribution, digital distribution, new channel
platforms and international distribution and sales.
For further information, please contact:
Hans-Dieter Kopal
Principal Communications Group
hans@pcommgroup.com
323-658-1555
Logo- http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140917/146623
SOURCE Codeblack Films