IFC Original Documentary 'RANK' To Make Its World Premiere at Festival
Co-Branded 'IFC Media Lab' Interactive Booth with Aquafina
New York, NY, February 22, 2006 – The Independent Film Channel (IFC), the first and largest network dedicated to independent films, announced today its extensive presence at the 2006 South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival where the network is a premier sponsor of the film, interactive and music portions of the festival. SXSW takes place in Austin, Texas from Friday, March 10 through Sunday, March 19. The IFC Original Documentary RANK will make its world premiere at the festival on Saturday, March 11. IFC will also partner with Aquafina to present an interactive booth featuring information on the network's new film initiative IFC Media Lab. Additional presence for the network includes a screening of the IFC Original Documentary This Film Is Not Yet Rated, and IFC will be collecting footage for a SXSW news special that will air simultaneously on IFC and IFC.com on April 17.
"SXSW is more than a Film Festival – it's about the independent culture in a way that no other festival is. That's why I'm thrilled that IFC will have a more visible and more diverse presence at this year's SXSW than ever before," stated Evan Shapiro, IFC's Executive Vice President and General Manager. "We've got the world premiere of the IFC Original Documentary RANK, a special screening of our doc This Film Is Not Yet Rated, a special appearance by Henry Rollins, a live performance at our event by Sleater-Kinney, and even the unveiling of the IFC Media Lab booth, with viewer-created digital short films. Even better, we get to do it in Austin, one of IFC's best markets!"
For the first time, IFC is a premier sponsor of SXSW, including the film, interactive and music portion of the festival. The network will have significant presence throughout the festival including IFC branded policy trailers touting IFC's "tv, uncut" mantra running before every film during the festival. The network is also presenting Henry Rollins, host of IFC's original series The Henry Rollins Show, for a one-on-one interview with Andy Langer, Music Editor for Esquire Magazine on March 12 at the festival. In addition, IFC will be the exclusive sponsor of a performance by Sleater-Kinney at the film closing night party on March 14. Sleater-Kinney will also be one of the bands featured on The Henry Rollins Show when it returns, under a new format that includes musical guests, on IFC April 1.
Making its world premiere at SXSW, IFC Original Documentary RANK is the second documentary film project from the critically acclaimed director and producer team of John Hyams and Jon Greenhalgh. The film brings the gritty reality of the hazardous sport of bull riding into focus for the first time, following the three highest ranking bull riders as they compete for the title of PBR World Champion. From preparations to rides through severe injuries and finally, victory for one: a gold belt buckle and a check for one million dollars. RANK is executive produced by IFC's Alison Palmer Bourke and Evan Shapiro, and is scheduled to make its television premiere on IFC in September 2006.
IFC's new film initiative, IFC Media Lab, will be the main focus of a co-branded booth with IFC and Media Lab presenting sponsor Aquafina. This new integrated program offers filmmakers a destination for posting their independent films online where viewers can watch and vote on those films. The top, viewer-ranked films will air monthly on IFC beginning this April. The IFC/Aquafina Media Lab booth will feature a lounge-like atmosphere where attendees can sample the Media Labwebsite, http://medialab.ifc.com, view Media Labfilms, and vote on their favorite films. IFC's Austin cable affiliate, Time Warner, will provide high-speed internet access for the computers in the booth.
"We are excited to collaborate with Time Warner, our local Austin affiliate, as we continue to raise awareness about Media Labwith a booth at SXSW," stated Todd Green SVP Affiliate Marketing for IFC's parent company Rainbow Media. "Not only does Media Laboffer a unique platform for independent filmmakers it also provides a huge benefit to the network's cable affiliates. The program encourages high-speed internet access to IFC viewers, making our partnership with Austin Time Warner at the IFC Media Labbooth a perfect fit."
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.