DVD producer/distributor Genius Products will now serve as the exclusive U.S. distributor of titles from The Weinstein Company, a film production firm formed by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the founders of Miramax Films.
Genius and TWC have formed a new venture called Genius Products LLC to exploit these distribution opportunities. The Weinsteins have a 70% stake in Genius Products LLC.
About 20 theatrical, direct-to-video and library titles are expected to be released each year under the deal, which also includes titles from Rainbow Media Holdings, a company that TWC has an existing distribution deal with. Rainbow Media’s holdings include titles from AMC, IFC Films, WE: Women’s Entertainment and fuse.
Potential first releases under the Genius deal include “Derailed”—TWC’s first theatrical project—“Transamerica,” “The Matador” and sequels to “Sin City” and “Scary Movie.”
TWC has also retained Warren N. Lieberfarb, known as the father of the DVD and the former head of Warner Home Video, as a special consultant and liaison with Genius Products.
