The Independent Film Channel Mouths Off With ifcRANT

Co-Venture with indie WIRE LLC Results in First Multi-platform
Film Magazine Coming to Newsstands, the Internet, and a Theater Near You May 1

On May 1, The Independent Film Channel (IFC) and indieWIRE (www.indiewire.com) will bring film fans one step closer to the action with the debut of ifcRANT, the only consumer publication to capture the spirit of independent film – the style, the scene, and the people responsible for breaking the mold and shaking up Hollywood. Continuing its trailblazing tradition, IFC has created the first interactive, cross-platform publication comprised of print, on-air and Web components. indieWIRE LLC is serving as independent contract publisher of the new print magazine. Published in print six times a year beginning with the May/June issue, ifcRANT will give a voice to those who are passionate about films and taking real chances in filmmaking.

“We’re excited to be able to take independent film to a new level and increase audience exposure to its energy, opinions and attitudes,” says Caroline Bock, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for The Independent Film Channel. “We’ve defined ourselves to film-lovers – very simply ifcRANT is Maximum Film.”

“This is a terrific opportunity to explore the evolving indie scene with a broader moviegoing audience,” says Eugene Hernandez, Editor-in-Chief of indieWIRE and ifcRANT. “We are thrilled to be working closely with IFC on this unique, multi-platform magazine.”


Mike Jones (former Managing Editor of FILMMAKER Magazine) joins the indieWIRE team as Executive Editor of ifcRANT while Director of Advertising & Development Ted Lambert (formerly of SCENARIO Magazine) heads up ifcRANT’s ad sales efforts. Acclaimed designer Taylor Deupree comes on board as Design Director while indieWIRE Managing Editor Mark Rabinowitz, Senior Editor Anthony Kaufman and Associate Editor Maya Churi round out indieWIRE’s ifcRANT editorial team along with seasoned film writers and commentators. The group is also joined by Erin Breen, Brand Manager for IFC, Joe Cantwell, Executive Vice President of IFC’s New Media Division, indieWIRE Publisher Karol Martesko (Publisher of RES Magazine and Silicon Alley Reporter) and indieWIRE Manager Ken Tabachnick.



ifcRANT in Print

Representing the marriage of unmatched journalism credentials with a leading force in the creation
and broadcast of independent film, ifcRANT will deliver an informed, subjective, often opinionated, sometimes audacious slice of contemporary off-Hollywood filmmaking. The crew at indieWIRE will serve up profiles of the most anticipated films and sought-after indie personalities; film and video recommendations; contributions from indie movers and shakers; buzz from the festival and party
circuit; reports on the next generation of up-and-comers; plus anything else they think is fit to print.
The magazine will also include a special insert IFC: The Guide, with information on the network and programming schedules.


With the popularity and critical acclaim of independent film on the rise, ifcRANT expects to reach 1.5 million readers in its first year, and over 3 million in its second year. Published bi-monthly, ifcRANT will retail at newsstands and bookstores as well as through direct subscriptions. It will also be distributed at major film festivals, as well as exclusively at Clearview Cinemas and Landmark Theatres.


Each department of ifcRANT will have a corresponding interactive section on the Web that extends the print content and draws readers into a discussion and encourages participation. Reader responses and opinions will be included in subsequent print issues of the magazine. As an example, the “Letter From the Editor” section will instead be a portion of a conversation in progress that will continue online and allow readers to join the discussion. A separate section will allow readers to agree with or challenge ifcRANT film and video recommendations.


ifcRANT On TV
IFC will also air celebrity and industry insider rants – news and views from some of the most vocal indie actors and filmmakers – on the network. An extension of the magazine, the featurettes will air interstitially between IFC programming. The indie world’s latest poster boy Nick Nolte (star of the upcoming release Trixie) will be among the first celebrity rants.


ifcRANT Online
ifcRANT’s cross-platform reach extends to ifcRANT online (www.ifcrant.com) helmed by Joe Cantwell.
A space for indie film lovers, the Web site will be an interactive experience featuring original content plus off-the-cuff roundtable discussions, as well as reader feedback, participation and polls. In true indie fashion, visitors will be encouraged to sound off and react candidly to ifcRANT’s editorial. The ifcRANT staff will also participate in chats.


Site visitors will also be able to access an interactive schedule of IFC’s programming, which includes video clips and descriptions, and can be customized to prompt users with daily reminders sent to their email accounts as well as other hand held devices such as cell phones and PDAs. The Web site launches May 1 and will incorporate broadband multimedia elements for high speed users.


The Independent Film Channel (IFC), managed and operated by Bravo Networks, is the definitive movie channel on television presenting the true spirit of independent film, uncut and commercial-free 24 hours a day. Having just celebrated its 5th Birthday, IFC presents the most extensive independent film library on television combined with original series, live events and enhanced new media programming. More than just a television network; IFC delivers a highly distinctive movie-watching experience, available to over 30 million homes. In 1997, The IFC Films Division was established to support IFC’s initiative to create and showcase quality independent films to the widest audience possible. IFC Films consists of IFC Productions, a feature film production company, and Next Wave Films, a finishing fund company.


IndieWIRE LLC, online and print publishers since 1995, has quickly become the leading industry news source and voice of independent film. indieWIRE: Daily, launched in 1996 and dubbed “The virtual ‘Daily Variety’ of the independent film scene” by Daily Variety, delivers business news, festival reports, filmmaker interviews, movie reviews, production articles and coverage of the emerging digital scene directly to nearly 20,000 desktops each business day. Its popular Web site, – indieWIRE.com – is accessed by over 130,000 filmmakers, executives, students, journalists, and moviegoers around the world, every month.

Contact:


Kim Becker
(516) 803-4543