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Giant Pictures

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Giant Pictures LLC
Company typePrivate
IndustryMotion Pictures
Founded2017
HeadquartersNew York, New York, United States
Burbank, California, United States
Key people
Nick Savva (GM), Jeff Stabenau (co-founder)
ServicesDigital Distribution
ParentGiant Interactive LLC
SubsidiariesDrafthouse Films
WebsiteGiant Pictures

Giant Pictures is an American independent film distribution company founded by Nick Savva and Jeff Stabenau with offices in New York City and Los Angeles. The company releases feature films, documentaries[1] and series on streaming platforms, with an emphasis on flexibility and customization for filmmakers.[2] Giant Pictures owns and operates specialty theatrical label, Drafthouse Films. [3] Giant is the distribution and technology partner of the Tribeca Festival.

History

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Founded in New York City in 2017 by Nick Savva, who had previously worked in digital distribution for the Tribeca Festival,[4] the company was initially launched under the name Streaming Plus. Its first film release was Newness directed by Drake Doremus, which the company had acquired following its world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.[5]

Initially a subsidiary of Giant Interactive, a technology services company owned by post production entrepreneur, Jeff Stabenau,[6] Giant Pictures focused on distribution to streaming platforms[7] including AppleTV, Vudu, Prime Video, Netflix, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV and Peacock.[8]

In 2020, in order to expand its global digital distribution efforts, Giant Pictures split from Giant Interactive, although the companies maintained a close relationship as technology partners.[9] Subsequently, the company built various apps and channels[10][11] on platforms such as The Roku Channel,[12] XUMO, LG, Vizio and Plex.[13] By 2022, Giant Pictures was releasing upwards of 40 new feature films annually and had more than 1,000 titles under management via content partnerships with numerous independent studios.[14][15]

In February 2023, it was reported by Deadline.com that Giant Pictures had acquired US theatrical and VOD rights to A House Made Of Splinters, one of the 2023 Oscar nominees for Best Documentary Feature.[16] Subsequently, Giant released the film on digital platforms including Apple TV and Prime Video. A theatrical release was announced at select Alamo Drafthouse theaters beginning in March 2023.

May 2023 saw the release of feature documentary, Nuclear Now, directed by Oliver Stone, which Giant co-released along with two of its studio partners, Abramorama and Participant Media.[17] The film makes the case for nuclear power as a vital energy solution in the face of climate change.[18]

Drafthouse Films

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Following a collaboration on the re-release of the cult 1980's genre movie Action USA,[19] in early 2021 Giant Pictures signed a sales representation deal with Austin, Texas–based distribution label, Drafthouse Films, for the acclaimed films in its catalog.[20] Subsequently, the Drafthouse titles were made available on multiple streaming platforms including Tubi,[21] Kanopy,[22] Shudder and Hulu.[23] In March 2022, Giant Pictures acquired Drafthouse Films with Nick Savva serving as Drafthouse Films' new CEO and Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League becoming chairman.[24]

The first two films to be released by the newly acquired company were Nr. 10, directed by Alex Van Warmerdam and Masking Threshold, directed by Johannes Grenzfurthner.[25] Both films had a close association with Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas and its related media companies, having premiered at Fantastic Fest then playing at Alamo Drafthouse locations, followed by streaming releases on the Alamo On Demand platform and through Giant Pictures.[26]

Partnership with Tribeca

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In August 2021 Giant Pictures partnered with the Tribeca Festival to create The Tribeca Channel, a free, ad-supported movie streaming channel in the US and Canada.[27]

Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the movie A Bronx Tale in September 2023, Giant Pictures produced a 4K digital restoration of the film on behalf of Tribeca Enterprises.[28] The digital coloring process was handled at Goldcrest Post in New York and was overseen personally by director, Robert De Niro.[29] The restoration took 9 months to complete. To accompany the re-release of the film on UHD Blu-ray, Giant created bonus features including new interviews with De Niro, as well writer and star, Chazz Palminteri. In June 2023, the Tribeca Festival, which De Niro founded along with the film's producer, Jane Rosenthal, premiered the 4K restored version with a special 30th anniversary screening at New York City's Beacon Theater.[30]

In January 2024 Tribeca Enterprises and Giant Pictures partnered on a US distribution label called Tribeca Films, to manage the distribution of high-quality independent films from the film festival circuit on streaming platforms.[31] The label aimed to focus on U.S. transactional video-on-demand (TVOD) and advertising-based video-on-demand (AVOD) with the opportunity for distribution across Giant Pictures’ streaming infrastructure, as well as on the Tribeca Channel. Tribeca Films set a goal of acquiring 25 titles per year from festivals like Sundance, Berlin, SXSW, Cannes, Toronto International Film Festival, as well as the Tribeca Festival. Trade publication, Indiewire, wrote of the initiative: "As the market has changed and made it harder for filmmakers to find homes for their festival movies, even with so many more options available, having one more buyer in the market should be good news for any indie filmmakers".[32]

Content

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Select filmography

[edit]
Title Release Date
Newness 11/3/2017
Mr. Roosevelt 12/26/2017
What We Started 3/23/2018
White Boy 5/29/2018
They Remain 5/29/2018
Pressing On: The Letterpress Film 6/19/2018
Time Trap 11/13/2018
Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. 12/11/2018
American Gospel: Christ Alone 1/5/2019
306 Hollywood 3/5/2019
In Reality[33] 4/2/2019
Tater Tot & Patton 5/4/2019
Ghost Light[34] 6/18/2019
Love, Antosha 11/12/2019
Skid Row Marathon 11/19/2019
Iron Fists And Kung Fu Kicks[35] 9/24/2019
Cabaret Maxime[36] 3/3/2020
She's Allergic To Cats[37] 4/7/2020
The Panama Papers 5/26/2020
Volition[38] 7/10/2020
Watson 7/14/2020
Feels Good Man 9/4/2020
My Darling Vivian 12/8/2020
Action USA[39] 1/8/2021
#Like 1/26/2021
Black Holes: The Edge of All We Know[40] 2/2/2021
The Delicacy 6/1/2021
River's End: California's Next Water War[41] 9/20/2021
Death of Nintendo 10/5/2021
The Snail and the Whale 10/5/2021
The End of the Storm 11/2/2021
See You Next Christmas 11/9/2021
Salt in My Soul[42] 1/25/2022
The Hunt for Planet B 3/8/2022
Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey[43] 5/10/2022
Being BeBe 6/7/2022
Mission: JOY Finding Happiness in Troubled Times 6/7/2022
Dinner in America 6/7/2022
The Bridge of San Luis Rey: Remastered 6/14/2022
Turbo Cola 6/14/2022
Dark Cloud 6/28/2022
The Skeleton's Compass 9/6/2022
Elizabeth Windsor 9/13/2022
A House Made of Splinters 2/21/2023
Messwood 4/18/2023
Nuclear Now 4/28/2023
All Man: The International Male Story 6/2/2023
A Bronx Tale (30th Anniversary Edition) 9/12/2023
A Disturbance in the Force 12/5/2023
Everything in Between 2/6/2024

Studio partners

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Streaming channels

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References

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  1. ^ "Giant Pictures, Collective Eye Team to Distribute Indie Docs to Educational Market – Media Play News". 19 November 2020. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  2. ^ "306 Hollywood - sundance.org". 2022-03-28. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  3. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (2022-03-09). "Drafthouse Films Sells to Giant Pictures, Sets Nick Savva as CEO (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  4. ^ Barnes, Brooks (2011-02-28). "Tribeca and Sundance Festivals Plan Big Growth". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  5. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (2017-09-08). "Streaming Plus Launches With Drake Doremus Sundance Pic 'Newness'". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  6. ^ "Giant Interactive Celebrates 15th Anniversary With Push Into Digital Delivery, Distribution – Media Play News". 28 May 2020. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  7. ^ Welk, Brian (2021-05-25). "Lionsgate, Giant Pictures and More Join New Content Rights Marketplace From Whip Media (Exclusive)". Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  8. ^ McNary, Dave (2019-09-06). "'Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks' Documentary Bought for Digital Release". Variety. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  9. ^ "Savva Upped to VP, Content Distribution at Giant Interactive and GM of Giant Pictures – Media Play News". 22 September 2020. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  10. ^ "Kino Lorber, Giant Pictures Launch Free Ad-Supported Streaming Service Kino Cult – Media Play News". 30 September 2021. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  11. ^ "Roku Adds the Baby Einstein Library on a New Free Channel". Cord Cutters News. 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  12. ^ "The Roku Channel Adds New Linear Channels to Lineup". www.businesswire.com. 2021-08-17. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  13. ^ "Plex users just gained 15 new channels to watch for FREE". TechiLive.in. 2021-07-26. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  14. ^ "Top 20 Indie Power Players 2022: The Movers and Shakers in Independent Film Distribution – Media Play News". 28 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  15. ^ "The Movie Marketing & Distribution Podcast: Nick Savva on how to successfully launch content on VOD on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  16. ^ Carey, Matthew (2023-02-14). "Giant Pictures Takes U.S. Theatrical, VOD Rights To Oscar-Nominated Documentary 'A House Made Of Splinters'". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  17. ^ "Oliver Stone's "Nuclear Now" Film Delivers – Nucleation Capital". 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  18. ^ Grobar, Matt (2023-03-21). "'Nuclear Now' Trailer: Oliver Stone's Documentary Makes Case For Atomic Energy To Solve Climate Change". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  19. ^ September 28, Clark Collis; EDT, 2020 at 09:00 AM. "Watch the utterly bonkers trailer for re-issued '80s stunt-fest 'Action U.S.A'". EW.com. Retrieved 2022-05-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (2021-02-04). "Giant Pictures Inks Theatrical And Streaming Deal With Drafthouse Films". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  21. ^ Haithman, Diane (2021-05-06). "Tubi, Drafthouse Films and Giant Pictures Sign Exclusive Content Deal for Nearly 40 Titles". Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  22. ^ "Kanopy - Stream Classic Cinema, Indie Film and Top Documentaries". www.kanopy.com. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  23. ^ "What's New to Stream on Hulu for July 2021". Film School Rejects. 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  24. ^ Luchies, Adam (2022-03-13). "Giant Pictures Acquires Drafthouse Films Label". Collider. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  25. ^ Vlessing, Etan (2022-03-09). "Drafthouse Films Label Sold to Giant Pictures". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  26. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (2022-03-09). "Distributor Giant Pictures Acquires Drafthouse Films, Sets Nick Savva As New CEO, Tim League Chairman". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  27. ^ "TRIBECA ENTERPRISES AND ROKU LAUNCH THE TRIBECA CHANNEL". Tribeca. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  28. ^ Lang, Brent (2023-05-23). "Tribeca, Robert De Niro Releasing Restored 30th Anniversary Edition of 'A Bronx Tale' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  29. ^ PR, Artisans. "Goldcrest Post Prepares Eight Films for Tribeca - Broadcast Beat". www.broadcastbeat.com/. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  30. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (2023-04-27). "Matt Damon and Ben Affleck-Produced U2 Documentary to Open Tribeca Festival". IndieWire. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  31. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (2024-01-24). "Tribeca Enterprises, Giant Pictures Launch Digital Distribution Label For Festival Fare". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  32. ^ Welk, Brian (2024-01-25). "Tribeca Is Getting Into the Film Distribution Game (Again)". IndieWire. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  33. ^ T. H. R. Staff (2019-03-28). "'In Reality': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  34. ^ Vlessing, Etan (2019-06-03). "Cary Elwes' 'Ghost Light' Comedy Lands at Giant Pictures". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  35. ^ McNary, Dave (2019-09-06). "'Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks' Documentary Bought for Digital Release". Variety. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  36. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (2019-12-13). "Michael Imperioli Drama 'Cabaret Maxime' Lands At Giant Pictures For U.S. Distribution". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  37. ^ DeFore, John (2020-04-06). "'She's Allergic to Cats': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  38. ^ ""Volition" Acquired by Giant Pictures". Slice of SciFi. 2020-05-07. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  39. ^ September 28, Clark Collis; EDT, 2020 at 09:00 AM. "Watch the utterly bonkers trailer for re-issued '80s stunt-fest 'Action U.S.A'". EW.com. Retrieved 2022-06-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  40. ^ Hipes, Patrick (2021-02-06). "AnnaLynne McCord-Starrer 'Feral State' Lands At Vertical Entertainment; Teri Polo-Eric Dane Drama 'The Ravine' Gets Release Date; 'Lupe' To HBO Latino; Giant Deal For 'Black Holes' – Film Briefs". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  41. ^ "Giant Pictures Sets Digital Release Dates for Doc on Global Water Crisis – Media Play News". 28 September 2021. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  42. ^ Kenigsberg, Ben (2022-01-20). "'Salt in My Soul' Review: Living, Even Thriving, With Illness". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  43. ^ "Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey (found sci-fi animated film; 2010) - The Lost Media Wiki". lostmediawiki.com. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  44. ^ Hipes, Patrick (2020-09-30). "Abramorama Launches Digital Distribution Arm, Pacts With Giant Pictures & Makes 'Herb Alpert Is…' Its Debut Film". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  45. ^ "CYBER GROUP STUDIOS INKS DISTRIBUTION DEALS WITH KIDOODLE.TV AND GIANT PICTURES". Licensing Magazine. 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  46. ^ "Tribeca Channel". XUMO. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  47. ^ "Baby Einstein Channel Launches on Roku Devices • The Toy Book". The Toy Book. 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
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