IFP, the nation's largest membership organization of independent filmmakers, announced today the Netflix premiere of Zoom In: Stories Behind the Best Independent Films of 2007. Featuring a behind-the-scenes look at this year's 17th Annual Gotham Awards and interviews with leading independent filmmakers and actors, the 60-minute documentary will be available beginning Friday, December 21 free of charge to Netflix's 7 million subscribers on the company's Instant Viewing platform.
Celebrating the best in the year's independent films, the Gotham Awards are the official kick-off to the film awards season. Written, directed and produced by Mario Diaz, this one-hour documentary goes behind-the-scenes to showcase the challenges - and triumphs - of some of the year's best independent films. It also gives an inside look at how the Gothams provide a critical boost to a diversity of independent films at the start of the awards race, such as this year's winners Into The Wild (Best Feature), Juno star Ellen Page (Breakthrough Actor) and Great World of Sound breakthrough director Craig Zobel.
With commentary by Entertainment Weekly film critics Dave Karger and Owen Gleiberman, the film features insightful interviews with Javier Bardem, Jonathan Demme, Todd Haynes, Emile Hirsch, Tamara Jenkins, Laura Linney, Mira Nair and Ellen Page who all discuss perspectives on the independent film industry, their Gotham Award-nominated projects and the importance of organizations like IFP.
In November, IFP announced a three-year distribution pact with Netflix. Through this agreement, IFP's one-hour documentary on the year's best independent films will be available on a non-exclusive basis through Netflix's Instant Viewing feature.
"One of IFP's primary objectives is to increase the audience for independent film," says Michelle Byrd, Executive Director of IFP. "We're excited to partner with a company like Netflix that shares our vision of bringing inspired independent filmmaking to consumers across multiple platforms."
ABOUT IFP
IFP's mission is to nurture and celebrate independent film and filmmakers, and to foster a vibrant and sustainable independent filmmaking community. IFP seeks to empower individuals with the language of film, and enrich the world of film with a diversity of voices. It passionately believes that creating opportunities for independent, original and often controversial films to be made and seen is an essential part of a free, open and intellectually curious society.
IFP's programs provide filmmakers with access to tools to develop and present their vision, and audiences with an opportunity to discover new work. Its signature programs include the Gotham Awards, the IFP Market, Filmmaker Magazine, IFP's Filmmaker Conference and IFP's Independent Film Labs. IFP was founded in 1979. It is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in New York City with 10,000 members throughout the world. More at www.ifp.org.
ABOUT THE GOTHAM AWARDS
Produced by IFP, the Gotham Awards are one of the leading awards for independent films and the first major honors of the film awards season. By recognizing that the best films come from a place that is more firmly rooted in the grasp of filmmakers - rather than 'made by committee' - and are produced with an economy of means, the Gotham Awards provide a critical spotlight on worthy independent films. The Gotham Awards were promoted nationally in an eight-page special advertising section in The New York Times on November 6. The awards ceremony was broadcast in the greater NYC area on NYC TV (Channel 25) on December 4; and nationally via satellite on the Documentary Channel on December 8.
ABOUT NETFLIX
Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) is the world's largest online movie rental service, providing more than seven million subscribers access to more than 85,000 DVD titles plus a growing library of more than 5,000 choices that can be watched instantly on their PCs. The company offers nine subscription plans, starting at only $4.99 per month. There are no due dates and no late fees - ever. All Netflix plans include both DVDs delivered to subscribers' homes and, for no additional fee, movies and TV series that can be started in as little as 30 seconds on subscribers' PCs. DVDs are delivered free to members by first class mail, with a postage-paid return envelope, from over 100 U.S. shipping points. Nearly 95 percent of Netflix subscribers live in areas that can be reached with generally one business day delivery. Netflix offers personalized movie recommendations and has two billion movie ratings. For more information, visit www.netflix.com.