AMC Theatres is entering the indie film fray.
\n\nThe world’s largest movie theater chain announced Monday it will launch Leawood Films, a distribution venture advised by a trio of veteran Hollywood executives — including former Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group chairman Toby Emmerich, Apple and Disney marketing whiz Ricky Strauss and former Paramount distro head Kyle Davies.
\n\nLeawood will “focus solely on films fully financed by their filmmakers, or already completed films, leveraging AMC’s exhibition, marketing, and distribution expertise to expand the supply of movies for a broad array of movie theater operators across the U.S. and internationally,” the announcement said. Emmerich and Strauss will consult, while Davies will help pilot the label as a full-time employee.
\n\nThe move means that Davies is leaving his post as president of distribution at Bleecker Street.
\n\nLeawood is named for AMC’s Kansas headquarters, and its inception comes as the domestic box office is enjoying an undeniable revival (“Obsession,” “They Odyssey” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” are just a few of the titles packing in audiences this year to levels not seen since pre-COVID times).
\n\nThe theater chain will have some key questions to answer about Leawood in the coming days. As an acquirer…
Original source: https://variety.com/
