Streaming platform Kanopy to partner on release of the documentary, increasing national exposure
Film also lands international distribution in French-speaking Europe, Scandinavia, Poland, Taiwan & Italy
Montréal – January 29, 2019 – Seville International is happy to announce the U.S. sale of ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH out of Sundance Film Festival to Kino Lorber. The documentary from Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier and Edward Burtynsky is the first acquisition by Kino Lorber in association with Kanopy, a free-to-user streaming platform offering access to an extensive collection of thought-provoking films through colleges and public libraries across the nation.
A cinematic meditation on humanity’s massive reengineering of the planet, ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH is the third in a trilogy that includes MANUFACTURED LANDSCAPES and WATERMARK. Directed by Baichwal, de Pencier and Burtynsky, the film was narrated by Oscar-winning actress Alicia Vikander, written by Baichwal and produced by de Pencier.
“From a world premiere at TIFF to a U.S. sale at Sundance, it has been an incredible journey so far for ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH. I am thrilled that this timely and impactful film has found such an incredible home, and that it kicks off a remarkable collaboration between Kino Lorber and Kanopy,” says Anick Poirier, SVP Sales, Seville International.
The U.S. sale caps off a successful Sundance which also included an inspiring panel with the filmmakers and Waterkeeper Alliance’s Robert F. Kennedy Jr., hosted by Dell. Additionally, ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH has secured international sales with Groupe Mediawan (French-speaking Europe), NonStop Entertainment (Scandinavia), Against Gravity (Poland), Moviecloud (Taiwan) and Fondazione Culturale N. Stensen with Valmyn Distribution (Italy).
Kino Lorber plans a September theatrical release to coincide with the UN Climate Change Summit 2019, followed by release on Kanopy, other TVOD platforms and DVD/Bluray. Kanopy will feature ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH alongside the filmmakers’ previous two films, MANUFACTURED LANDSCAPES and WATERMARK. The deal was negotiated by Kino Lorber’s Richard Lorber and Wendy Lidell with Anick Poirier of Seville International representing the filmmakers.
“The indelible cinematography and soundscape of ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH achieves the highest purpose of art, which is to change hearts and minds. We feel particularly driven by the warming climate to bring this powerful mind-changing film to American audiences. It is also especially appropriate to team up with the educational distribution platform, Kanopy, to reach students, who hold the future in their hands,” said Wendy Lidell, SVP Theatrical and Non-theatrical Distribution and Acquisitions, Kino Lorber.
Olivia Humphrey, CEO and Founder of Kanopy says, “At Kanopy, we pride ourselves on the careful curation of thoughtful films that are timely, relevant and contribute to pertinent discussions. We are pleased to partner with Kino to offer our audience the opportunity to stream this important and complete trilogy on Kanopy.”
“We are gratified by the tremendous response to this film at Sundance and the collaboration with Kino Lorber. Their longevity, stellar reputation and impressive documentary library make them an ideal partner, and we are excited by the outreach possibilities Kanopy brings. We look forward to sharing ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH and its potential as a change agent with American audiences,” said Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier and Edward Burtynsky.
About Entertainment One
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:ETO) is a global independent studio that specializes in the development, acquisition, production, financing, distribution and sales of entertainment content. The Company’s diversified expertise spans across film, television and music production and sales; family programming, merchandising and licensing; digital content; and live entertainment. Through its global reach and expansive scale, powered by deep local market knowledge, the Company delivers the best content to the world.
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About Les Films Séville
Headquartered in Montréal, Les Films Séville is the leading distributor of film content in Québec. An important partner of the Québec film industry and a subsidiary of Entertainment One, Les Films Séville has also emerged as the largest distributor of Québec films internationally, through its affiliated company, Seville International.
About Kino Lorber
With a library of over 2,800 titles, Kino Lorber Inc. has been a leader in independent art house distribution for 35 years, releasing 30 films per year theatrically under its Kino Lorber, Kino Classics, and Alive Mind Cinema banners, garnering seven Academy Award® nominations in nine years, including documentary nominees Fire at Sea (2017) and Of Fathers & Sons (2019). Current and upcoming releases include Berlinale Golden Bear winner Touch Me Not and Cannes winners Jean-Luc Godard’s The Image Book and Jafar Panahi’s 3 Faces. In addition, the company brings over 350 titles yearly to the home entertainment and educational markets through physical and digital media releases. With an expanding family of distributed labels, Kino Lorber handles releases in ancillary media for Zeitgeist Films, Carlotta USA, Adopt Films, Raro Video, and others, placing physical titles through all wholesale, retail, and direct to consumer channels,as well as direct digital distribution through over 40 OTT services including all major TVOD and SVOD platforms.
About Kanopy
Kanopy is a premiere, free-to-user streaming platform available through libraries and universities nationwide. With a focus on thoughtful entertainment, Kanopy’s curated catalog of thousands of films offers the best in award-winning narratives and documentaries from around the world. Public library members, college students or professors can access Kanopy at no cost, thanks to the support of participating libraries. For more information, please visit www.kanopy.com.
For more information:
Natalie Petozzi
Entertainment One
416.309.4214
natalie.petozzi@entonegroup.com