Graham King and Peter Schlessel Announce Formation of FilmDistrict(SM)

CULVER CITY, Calif., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Graham King and Tim Headington's GK Films, in partnership with Peter Schlessel, President of GK Films, announced the formation of FilmDistrict, a multi-faceted acquisition, distribution, production, and financing company. 

Bob Berney joins as President of Theatrical Distribution reporting to Schlessel, who will, in addition to his responsibilities at GK Films, serve as CEO of FilmDistrict.

FilmDistrict will theatrically distribute between four and eight wide release commercial pictures per year, some of which will go through Sony Pictures Entertainment's TriStar and Triumph labels.   Sony Pictures also will have other distribution rights (including home entertainment and television) to the films.  This deal does not affect GK Films' existing output arrangement with the studio.   

Peter Schlessel will also provide consulting services to Sony Pictures' well-established worldwide theatrical and ancillary acquisition business run by Steve Bersch, President of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions, and his senior team.

"It has always been a goal of mine to be involved in all aspects of filmmaking and distribution," said King.  "I've known and worked with Peter for a long time and there is no one else I would rather take this step with.  Bob Berney has a fantastic ability to connect with filmmakers and he orchestrates very creative marketing campaigns.  We're thrilled to be working with Amy Pascal, Michael Lynton, Jeff Blake and everyone at Sony Pictures in this new venture."  

"This is a great opportunity for GK Films and FilmDistrict to work with our friends at Sony Pictures in distribution and acquisitions to help keep Sony's pipeline filled with commercial product. It is a real honor to be asked by Michael, Amy, Jeff and Steve to continue my relationship with the studio and particularly its acquisition group," said Schlessel. 

"Joining this exciting company is a real opportunity to participate in a powerful new global entity," said Berney.  "To market films through our direct distribution system and to work on other pictures with Sony offers us great potential.  I'm thrilled to be joining Graham and Peter as we take this next step forward."

"Peter Schlessel has one of the best eyes in the business for quality films, as evidenced by his role in bringing District 9 to us," said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures.  "We will miss having Peter here at the studio, but we're thrilled to be working with him in his new role at FilmDistrict."

"I've had the pleasure of working with Peter for most of my career and his 'street smarts' and creative mind have never ceased to impress me," said Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of Sony Pictures.  "Peter and Bob, along with Graham, will be great partners with us for years to come."

Bahman Naraghi, COO of GK Films, negotiated the deal with Stefan Litt, Executive Vice President and CFO of Sony Pictures' motion picture group. 

Schlessel will continue to function as President of GK Films, where he is involved in the day to day management of the company.  Prior to GK Films, Schlessel spent 21 years at SPE, and held the titles of President of Worldwide Affairs; President of Columbia Pictures; President of Production, Columbia Pictures; and President of Worldwide Acquisitions. 

Berney founded and operated independent film distribution and marketing companies Apparition, Picturehouse, Newmarket Films and IFC Films, and was responsible for releasing critically acclaimed and award-winning films such as Memento, La Vie En Rose, Pan's Labyrinth, The Young Victoria, The Passion of the Christ, Monster and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, among many others.  He has also served as an independent distribution and marketing consultant and began his career in exhibition, managing and owning movie theaters in Texas.

In addition to partnering with Schlessel for FilmDistrict, King continues to focus on producing films though his independent production company GK Films, which he launched in May 2007 with business partner Tim Headington.  The company's next feature The Town, written and directed by Ben Affleck, was recently released by Warner Bros. on September 17.  GK Films also produced The Tourist, directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, to be released by Columbia Pictures on December 10.  The company is currently shooting the 3-D film Hugo Cabret, directed by Martin Scorsese, and is in post production on The Rum Diary starring Depp and produced by Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil and the crime drama London Boulevard, starring Colin Farrell and Keira Knightley and written and directed by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter William Monahan.  GK Films recently announced several new projects including the untitled Freddie Mercury story starring Sacha Baron Cohen.  GK Films is partnering with Tribeca Productions and Queen Films on the Freddie Mercury script currently being written by Peter Morgan.  GK Films is also producing a feature adaptation of the British miniseries Unforgiven, to be written by Christopher McQuarrie, as well as an untitled love story, written and directed by Angelina Jolie.  The company also produced the animated tale Rango, directed by Gore Verbinski and produced with his Blind Wink Productions for Paramount Pictures, set for a March 2011 release.  Recent GK Films releases include Edge of Darkness, and the three-time Academy Award® nominated The Young Victoria. Most recently, Graham King and Tim Headington launched a new division, GK-TV.  Run by President Craig Cegielski, GK-TV is dedicated to the development, production and worldwide distribution of television programming.  GK-TV is currently filming the miniseries Camelot for Starz, starring Joseph Fiennes and Eva Green.  GK Films can be found on the World Wide Web at http://gk-films.com

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation.  SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 140 countries.  Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

FilmDistrict(SM) and related marks are service marks of FilmDistrict Holdings, LLC.

SOURCE Sony Pictures Entertainment; GK Films