of IFC?s Ultimate Film Fanatic Series and a Chance to Win Plasma Screen TV
NEW YORK, May 2, 2004 – The search for the ?Ultimate Film Fanatic? among MSO executives is about to begin.
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) announced today it will bring a live version of the network?s highly anticipated film fan television competition, Ultimate Film Fanatic, to NCTA in the form of a convention floor competition among MSO executives. Cable operators interested in participating can stop by the Rainbow Networks booth (#2429) on Monday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesday, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ultimate Film Fanatic host Chris Gore will greet guests and preside over the competition, which will award the grand prize winner with a plasma screen television.
Premiering on IFC in July, Ultimate Film Fanatic, is an eight-part intense television competition series that will crown the nation?s ?Ultimate Film Fanatic.? Competition rounds in the televised version of Ultimate Film Fanatic will include movie trivia, a debate over films that participants love or hate, and an ?obsession war? in which competitors will be judged by their personal collections of film memorabilia.
Modeled after the trivia portion of the show, the NCTA Ultimate Film Fanatic event will match MSO executives in a multi-round battle of film knowledge. The participants will compete for the title of ?MSO Ultimate Film Fanatic? and the plasma screen television grand prize.
?We encourage all MSO execs to stop by our booth to test their film knowledge or cheer on their colleagues in this participatory preview of Ultimate Film Fanatic,? said Todd Green, Vice President National Accounts and Affiliate Marketing, IFC. ?We expect Ultimate Film Fanatic to be very popular with our viewers and see this NCTA event as a great way for MSO executives to experience first-hand the excitement surrounding the show.?
Gore added: ?As an obsessed film fanatic myself, I can?t wait to meet my fellow maniacs at NCTA and put them to the test to see if they measure up. We are obviously very excited about the show?s premiere in July and giving cable executives a sneak peak of the show is going to be a lot of fun. If Ultimate Film
Fanatic is American Idol for movie geeks, I guess that makes me Ryan Seacrest for movie maniacs. I look forward to the NCTA conference!?
| WHO: | Chris Gore and MSO executive film enthusiasts |
| WHAT: | Ultimate Film Fanatic Competition |
| WHEN: | Monday, May 3, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesday, May 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
| WHERE: | Rainbow Networks booth, #2429 |
The Ultimate Film Fanatic NCTA competition is modeled after similar events being staged by IFC in local markets around the country. The first of these, held in early April in Madison, Wisc., attracted several hundred contestants and fans, including the city?s mayor, in a spirited battle for prizes and the opportunity to appear in an IFC on-air promo for the show.
About Independent Film Channel
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed channel dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut and commercial free. IFC celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2004 with its most extensive original programming line-up ever. Original programming premiering in 2004
includes Nanette Burstein?s Film School,Ultimate Film Fanatic,Rocked With Gina Gershon, the third season of Dinner For Five and John Landis? Slasher. In 2003, IFC made its mark with originals including BaaadAsssss Cinema, The American Nightmare, Indie Sex: Taboos and A Decade Under the Influence. IFC Television 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, which also includes the AMC and WE: Women’s Entertainment television networks.
About Chris Gore, Host of Ultimate Film Fanatic
Gore?s work as creator and editor of Film Threat magazine has earned him a reputation as a hilariously honest, down-to-earth critic of cinema. He founded the publication in 1985, and retired the print edition in 1997 to focus on a webzine version, which today is one of the most popular and respected indie movie sites on the Internet. In fact, Film Threat was recently named one of the top five film web sites by the Wall Street Journal. His outspoken column on Film Threat, ?The Gorey Details,? touches on off-beat topics ranging from ?Are Today?s Action Stars Wusses?? to ?Do Trailers Ruin Movies?? In addition to his Film Threat work, Gore previously hosted The New Movie Show with Chris Gore on FX as well as Festival Pass with Chris Gore for Starz Cinema. He recently turned to filmmaking, as the co-writer and producer of the comedy spoof My Big Fat Independent Movie.