New distributor Pinnacle Films launches with The Reef
DVD/computer game wholesale distributor All Interactive Distribution (AID) has launched its acquisitions and distribution company, Pinnacle Films, to be headed by Richard Sheffield.
The company’s first releases will be Andrew Traucki’s Australian thriller The Reef, and the China/US drama Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (dir. Wayne Wang), both scheduled for early 2011. Pinnacle will be based on the Gold Coast.
“It is never easy distributing local projects, as you have to build the campaign from a blank sheet as opposed to being supplied with campaigns when acquiring international projects. While the company will be re-branded and starting afresh, the management is experienced in distributing and acquiring theatrical properties,” Sheffield told Encore.
Sheffied added that the releases strategies will vary, from wide to limited, according to the title.
AID’s sister company All Interactive Entertainment (AIE) had been in charge of acquisition and distribution of direct-to-DVD titles, but with the launch of Pinnacle, it will focus exclusively on computer games. Pinnacle will handle all film projects, with plans to acquire and distribute six to eight films theatrically per year, and up to 20 direct to DVD.
“We will continue to release titles direct to DVD, however the primary focus of Pinnacle Films is to be recognised as a distribution company for theatrical releases,” said Sheffield in a prepared statement. The new Pinnacle director is the founder of Polyphony Entertainment, and a former managing director of Universal International Australia and New Zealand / Polygram Filmed Entertainment.
