Half-Hour Show Premieres in June
Provides Voice for Independent Filmmakers; On-air Exposure for Viewer-Ranked Films Submitted Online to IFC Media Lab
New York, NY, May 15, 2006 – The Independent Film Channel (IFC) announced today the launch of a new half-hour show premiering on the network in June, Media Lab Uploaded. The show is an expansion of the network's groundbreaking, integrated program, IFC Media Lab, which offers filmmakers a destination for posting their independent films online (http://medialab.ifc.com) where viewers can watch and vote on those films. The top, viewer-ranked films began airing interstitially on the network in April. With the launch of Media Lab Uploaded this summer, featured shorts will be assembled into a monthly show, giving even greater exposure for the submitted films and furthering IFC's mission to provide a voice to independent filmmakers of all levels. The show will be hosted by IFC NEWS anchor Matt Singer and, as always, films will be shown unfiltered, uncensored, and absolutely uncut.
"Since the launch of Media Lab, it has very quickly become an online home to independent filmmakers from around the world, and the program continues to give these filmmakers a voice and a platform to showcase their work that might not otherwise get seen," said Evan Fleischer, IFC's Director of Marketing and Promotions. "With Media Lab Uploaded we are making a show out of user-created- and-rated shorts, which caters to our tech-savvy audience and provides yet another venue to celebrate and empower the next generation of filmmakers. This show will not only highlight the top, viewer-ranked films, but also films we think shouldn't be missed."
Following the premiere launch in June, IFC will begin airing a new show on the first Monday of every month. The format of Media Lab Uploaded will include opening remarks from host Matt Singer – explaining what Media Lab is and what viewers will see in the upcoming show; a number of highlighted films from Media Lab; and featured segments providing added entertainment, such as "Featured Director" and "Singer's Favorites". Each show will also provide viewers with instructions on how to submit films to IFC Media Lab.
Media Lab was developed by IFC in direct response to the increasing amount of video content being produced by undiscovered talent around the country who lack a voice or platform to showcase their work. The program is designed to establish a community for independent filmmakers of all levels while empowering audiences to self-program: watch what they want, when they want it.
In late 2005, Media Lab was introduced on IFC's website, inviting online viewers to register and upload their short films. To date, Media Lab has close to 12,000 registered members and over 1,000 films submitted – with nearly 400,000 film views to date. Media Lab is a showcase for all types of independent film shorts (six minutes or less), and anyone can register as a member online at no cost. Once registered, members have the opportunity to: upload films directly to the IFC Media Lab, create a film profile, build a filmmaker homepage, view and rank other people's films and compete for a chance to screen their film on IFC.
Aquafina is the presenting sponsor of Media Lab and is integrated into the program's on-air and online promotional content. An on-air promo encouraging viewers to visit IFC.com and register for the program incorporates the Aquafina brand and runs weekly on the network. Aquafina will also partner with IFC to platform its brand through on-air creative that introduces and concludes the new monthly show.
For more information about the IFC Media Lab, visit: http://medialab.ifc.com.
About IFC Television:
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed network dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut, uncensored and commercial-free.
The network is part of IFC Companies — the only brand to operate in every area of independent film to include television, production, financing, distribution, digital, on-demand and exhibition. IFC Companies uses its unique cross-platform position to broaden the audience of independent film and to provide independent filmmakers with a strong voice. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC:
A leader in the entertainment industry, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation. Rainbow creates and manages some of the country's most compelling and dynamic programming with linear networks including national networks – AMC, fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE: Women's Entertainment; its regional programming service – Rainbow Sports Networks; on-demand networks including Mag Rack and sportskool; and the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere – the VOOM HD Networks. Rainbow's other businesses include its film distribution, production and exhibition division – IFC Entertainment; in addition to its advertising sales division – Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation – and its full service network programming origination and distribution company – Rainbow Network Communications.