Shout! Studios, the multi-platform filmed entertainment distribution and production arm of Shout! Factory and Unique Features announced a strategic distribution collaboration to bring visionary filmmaker Bob Shaye’s new suspense thriller AMBITION to a wide variety of entertainment platforms and in select U.S. cinemas. Unique Features and Seth Willenson will handle theatrical distribution duties. Directed by Shaye, AMBITION stars Katherine Hughes (Kingdom, My Dead Ex), Giles Matthey (Submerged, Once Upon a Times), Sonoya Mizuno (Devs, Crazy Rich Asians, Maniac), and Bryan Batt (Mad Men, Billionaire Boys Club) with a special appearance by Lin Shaye (Insidious series, The Final Wish, Room for Rent). AMBITION was produced by Bob Shaye, Michael Lynne, Sarah Victor, and Unique Features. The announcement was made today by Shout’s founders and CEOs Bob Emmer and Garson Foos; and filmmaker, producer and Unique Features founder Bob Shaye.
The multi-year alliance provides Shout! Studios with extensive North American distribution rights to AMBITION, including digital, video-on-demand, broadcast, and home entertainment (Blu-ray, DVD) for cross-platform releases in the U.S. and Canada. Shout! Studios and Unique Features plan a strategic day-and-date launch of this movie in cinemas and across all major entertainment platforms this fall 2019.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Bob, Seth, and Unique Features. This is a unique opportunity that brings together the entrepreneurial spirit that has defined two great independent media companies,” said Shout’s founders and CEOs Bob Emmer and Garson Foos. “Together, we’re excited to bringing this stylized suspense thriller to movie audiences everywhere.”
Director Bob Shaye said, “I am tremendously enthused to have Shout Studios bring our latest film Ambition to its intended audience. Shout has the creativity, understanding, and sensitivity that reminds me of the most successful period of independent distribution at New Line. They aren’t just sales people. They are a new creative connection for movie goers looking for excitement, surprises, and fun. I don’t want to give all of those things away in this brief statement, but I believe Ambition arrives exactly in Shout’s sweet spot.”
The film deal was negotiated by Shout’s Bob Emmer, David McIntosh, Senior Vice President of Content Licensing & Strategy, and Vanessa Keiko Flanders, Vice President of Business Affairs for Shout! Studios, and Seth Willenson on behalf of Unique Features.
About Unique Features
Unique Features is an independent company that was launched in 2008 by Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne, who together built New Line Cinema into an industry powerhouse. The company is currently developing and producing a slate of film and TV projects, including the third season of the TV series SHADOWHUNTERS (Freeform), post production on THE LIBERATOR (Netflix) a four part mini-series based on the epic WWII nonfiction bestseller, SLEEP TIGHT (Columbia) from acclaimed horror director Tyler MacIntyre, TUMANBAY (Hulu) based on John Dryden’s award winning BBC1 podcast, NIGHT TEETH (Netflix), HIGH IN THE CLOUDS (Gaumont), an animated feature with original songs by Paul McCartney and starring Lady Gaga, BABETTES FEAST, a remake of the Danish Oscar® winner, and ARE WE NOT MEN by popular and highly respected author T.C. Boyle, a science fiction thriller centered around a new and dangerous evolution of gene editing.
About Shout! Studios
Shout! Studios is the filmed entertainment production and distribution arm of Shout! Factory, specializing in all aspects of distribution, including theatrical, VOD, digital, and broadcast. Reflecting Shout! Factory’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence, Shout! Studios champions and supports like-minded filmmakers and creators at the forefront of pop culture, driving creative expression and diversity in independent storytelling. Shout! Studios finances, produces, acquires and distributes an eclectic slate of movies, award-winning animated features, specialty films and series from rising and established talent, filmmakers and producers.
