PARK CITY, UT (January 24, 2005) – Jonathan Sehring, President of IFC Entertainment, announced today that Cowboy Pictures' co-founder and former President, John Vanco would serve as Vice President and General Manager of the highly anticipated IFC Center. The project, which involves a state-of-the art renovation of the historic Waverly Theater in Greenwich Village, will serve as the new brick and mortar home of IFC. Designed to be a place to celebrate both the past and the future of great specialized cinema, the IFC Center will not only operate as a theater, but, with its bar, restaurant, and many special events, will act as a gathering place for the passionate independent film community. The IFC Center is scheduled to open late Spring of this year.
Vanco, considered one of the industry's most respected young executives, brings with him a decade of experience in programming, distribution and marketing independent films. He co-founded and ran Cowboy for its six-year history and has served in various capacities at Miramax, New Yorker Films and Fine Line. In this new position, Vanco will be responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operations for the Center, including the first-run exhibition of its films, the special cinema programs, and the management of the bar, restaurant, and film editing suites. He will report directly to Sehring.
"The Center is one of IFC's most important initiatives and will serve as the focal point for the New York City independent film community," Sehring stated. "John Vanco has spent a career finding, presenting, and supporting great independent films. His historic knowledge of the independent film world is second to none, and his deep appreciation and understanding for the City's film community underscores our commitment to New York and its filmmakers. With a background that combines so many strengths – acquisitions, programming, marketing and publicity – we could not be more pleased to have him on board to lead this exciting project."
Conceived by Sehring as an extension of IFC's brand, the IFC Center will convert the historic Waverly Theater into a state-of-the-art facility which will include three theaters dedicated to independent films in both 35mm and high-definition digital video, digital editing suites, a large caf? and meeting area. Along with showing independent films in a unique and comfortable environment that both filmmakers and New York audiences deserve, the Center will be the host to premiere events, special forums, live television programming, speaking engagements and will guarantee that the City's filmmaking and artistic community will have a home base where they can work, socialize, and be supported.
Since 1994, the New York-based media company has become the foremost respected name in independent filmmaking, launching a television network, creating a film production and distribution company, and developing a video-on-demand service all focused on expanding opportunities for independent filmmakers and broadening the audience for specialized films. The IFC Center will continue this mandate, while raising the profile of the IFC brand within New York City and providing the Greenwich Village community with a rich cultural asset and positive face-lift.
Over the last decade, Vanco led the marketing, publicity and distribution efforts on behalf of a variety of award-winning features as Cowboy, co-founded with Noah Cowan, grew from a tiny one-desk operation to a thriving company that theatrically released nearly fifty films over its six-year history. Highlights included: Lynn Ramsay's "Morvern Callar," Catherine Breillat's controversial and acclaimed "Fat Girl," Aviva Kempner's "The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg," David Gordon Green's "George Washington" and George Butler's "The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition," the highest grossing documentary of the five years leading up to "Bowling for Columbine."
Cowboy's films received one Oscar nomination, ten Independent Spirit Award nominations, two Emmy Awards, one Peabody Award, two awards from the New York Film Critics Circle and numerous awards from festivals and regional and national critics groups.
Vanco has served on dozens of industry, festival and market panels, including programs at Sundance, Toronto, Cannes, the IFP Market, the Mill Valley Film Festival, the Miami Film Festival and South by Southwest. He has sat on juries and selection committees for a variety of festivals, including, Hamptons, Atlanta and Provincetown. Currently, he is a member of the advisory boards for the IFP LAFF and the Virginia Film Festival and has served as a mentor at the Nantucket Screenwriters Colony.
About IFC Companies
IFC Companies 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 Media Holdings, Inc.
IFC Companies is made up of:
IFC Television, the first and most widely distributed channel dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut and commercial-free.
IFC Entertainment, which includes IFC Films, a theatrical film distribution company; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; InDigEnt, a groundbreaking initiative that helps established filmmakers shoot productions on digital video; and IFC Theaters.
IFC Digital Media harnesses the power of digital technology to provide audiences with active entertainment, informational, and transactional experiences. It is currently focused on packaging, delivering, and marketing video-on-demand services and broadband content.