Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures (ESMP), the theatrical distribution division of Byron Allen’s global media and technology company Entertainment Studios (www.entertainmentstudios.com), is proud to announce the launch of its new international sales and distribution division:
Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures International (ESMPI). ESMPI has launched in an alliance with FilmNation Entertainment, which will now handle international distribution of wide-release theatrical titles where ESMP has worldwide rights. ESMP/ESMPI are subsidiaries of Allen Media, which recently announced it has secured $500 million in credit facilities.
“International feature film distribution is a natural extension of the expanding reach of our global media, content, and technology company,” says Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Entertainment Studios. “As we continue to distribute content across an ever-increasing number of domestic and global broadcast television, network television, theatrical, and digital platforms, it is only natural for us to incorporate worldwide movie distribution into our overall content distribution strategy going forward, and FilmNation Entertainment is the perfect partner for us to achieve this goal.”
“Entertainment Studios is an exciting, creative, and innovative media company that is committed to delivering high-quality content worldwide,” said FilmNation Entertainment Founder/CEO, Glen Basner. “This global distribution partnership is well-positioned to fill a huge void in the marketplace.”
The first title ESMP/ESMPI will finance and distribute worldwide is 47 METERS DOWN: THE NEXT CHAPTER, which just started pre-production. The shark thriller sequel will be released domestically on approximately 3,500 screens on June 28, 2019. The first 47 METERS DOWN was a surprise box office hit, grossing over $44.3 million on a $5.5 million budget, making it the highest-grossing independent movie of 2017.
ESMP bought the title from Dimension Films, which had initially planned to release the movie on DVD only. The original film followed two sisters who get trapped underwater during a diving excursion, where they become the prey of sharks. The survival story starred Mandy Moore and Claire Holt. 47 METERS DOWN: THE NEXT CHAPTER is directed by Johannes Roberts, the filmmaker behind the first movie. Roberts wrote the screenplay with Ernest Riera. 47 METERS DOWN: THE NEXT CHAPTER is being produced by The Fyzz’s James Harris, Mark Lane, and Robert Jones. All three were involved with the initial production.
