New York, NY (April 30, 2004) – Touching The Void, the mountain climbing documentary, became one of the most profitable indie documentaries of all time this past weekend when it racked up $4,090,821 in domestic box office receipts it was announced today by IFC Vice President of Sales and Distribution Greg Forston. The film opened to record numbers and strong critical acclaim on January 23, 2004 and was supported by an aggressive distribution, promotional and marketing strategy. Negotiations for the film began at Cannes last year after the IFC team viewed a promotional reel at the Festival.
“Touching the Void is one of those rare cinematic gems that connects with an audience in some very satisfying ways as a result of a focused, creative distribution and marketing strategy,” commented IFC Film Vice President of Sales and Distribution Greg Forston. “Its thrilling to watch this film continue to break records the way our My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Y Tu Mama Tambien did and is a real testament to the talented marketing and distribution team at IFC.”
When the film premiered in New York City, Denver, Seattle and Washington, DC, in January it took in an average of $19,400 per screen representing the highest per screen average for an IFC Film and also the highest per screen average for any film that weekend. The film is also breaking box office records overseas and is currently the number one documentary in the UK.
Touching The Void’s domestic marketing campaign continues to roll out with a segment on The Oprah Winfrey Show expected in late April and several radio promotions unfolding throughout the country. The campaign kicked off with author Joe Simpson who toured the country in advance of the re-release of his best-selling book of the same name which is currently climbing the New York Times Bestseller list.
Touching The Void sailed past The Fog of War this past weekend making it the top documentary of 2004 and placing it among the top ten indie docs of all time. Other top documentaries on that list include: Bowling For Columbine $21,576,018, Truth or Dare $15,012,935, Winged Migration $10,764,402, Hoop Dreams $7,830,611, Tupac: Resurrection $7,718,961, Buena Vista Social Club $7,002,182, Roger and Me $6,706,368, Spellbound $5,728,581 and Stop Making Sense.
IFC Entertainment
IFC Entertainment is the film production and film distribution arm of IFC Companies and is committed to providing bold independent films to theater audiences nationwide. IFC Entertainment consists of:
IFC Productions: a production company that provides financing for select independent feature films. It offers filmmakers unusual creative freedom to realize their personal cinematic visions. Notable films include Kimberly Peirce’s Oscar® Award-winning Boys Don’t Cry, Karyn Kusama’s Girlfight, Richard Linklater’s Waking Life and Mira Nair’s Monsoon Wedding. John Sayles’ Casa De Los Babys and Todd Graff’s Camp were IFC productions that were released by IFC Films in 03. The Rose and the Snake, directed by Rebecca Miller and starring Daniel Day Lewis is the latest IFC Production which will be released by IFC Films in 04.
IFC Films: is a leading theatrical film distribution company bringing the best of independent and specialized films to theaters. Releasing approximately 10 films per year, IFC Films builds its slate of titles from an aggressive acquisitions program and selected in-house productions. Recent IFC Films include the 2003 Oscar®-nominated My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Alfonso Cuaron’s Y Tu Mamá También, Richard LaGravenese and the late Ted Demme’s documentary A Decade Under the Influence, Camp and Casa De Los Babys. Upcoming releases include Intermission (March 04), The Saddest Music in the World (April 04) and The Rose and the Snake. Additionally, Kitchen Stories (slated for Feb 04) is the 04 Norwegian Academy submission.
InDigEnt, is an initiative for established filmmakers to explore the medium of digital video. Notable InDigEnt productions include Campbell Scott’s Final, Ethan Hawke’s Chelsea Walls, Gary Winick’s Tadpole, Rebecca Miller’s Personal Velocity and Peter Hedges’ Pieces of April. Upcoming InDigEnt films include Alan Taylor’s Kill the Poor and Greg Harrison’s November, which premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.
IFC Entertainment is a part of IFC Companies, which has created a unique end-to-end business model and brand that focuses on developing and nurturing talent, and maximizing the value of independent film. With a television network, a film distribution and production unit, and a VOD service, IFC Companies represents the future of independent film. IFC Companies uses its unique position to broaden the independent film audience nationwide and to expand the opportunities for independent filmmakers. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Entertainment Services.