Four-Week Event Staged by IFC and Comcast Offers Boston-Area Film Lovers
a Chance to Test Their Cinematic Knowledge and Win Prizes
NEW YORK, July 12, 2004 – The search for Boston’s “Ultimate Film Fanatic” is about to begin.
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) announced today that its summer-long initiative in support of the new film fan competition series, IFC Presents Ultimate Film Fanatic, will begin a four-week stay in Boston on July 1.
The tour – the most extensive promotional event in IFC’s history — will be staged at Loews Cineplex Entertainment theaters and other venues throughout the area. Moviegoers and local VIPs are invited to answer film fanatic trivia, styled after the Ultimate Film Fanatic television series, to win prizes and bragging rights as a master of the film domain.
IFC’s Ultimate Film Fanatic is a hotly anticipated, eight-part television competition that premieres on the IFC Network on July 9th, giving obsessed film lovers a chance to show off their knowledge and fanaticism through a series of on-air challenges. Participants in the series were selected at regional competitions in New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Denver, Detroit and Atlanta.
Hosted by Chris Gore, creator of the popular indie film magazine, Film Threat, and with a panel of celebrity judges, the television series will crown the national “Ultimate Film Fanatic.” The winner of this heated competition will be given the rare opportunity to program IFC for a night, serve as that evening’s on-air host, and receive a lifetime worth of bragging rights as a master of the film domain. Competition rounds in the Ultimate Film Fanatic television series will include movie trivia, a debate over films and directors that participants love or hate, and an “obsession war” in which competitors will be judged by their personal collections of film memorabilia.
Throughout the summer, IFC will produce more than 120 live Ultimate Film Fanatic grassroots events at Loews Cineplex Theaters in 11 markets. The tour was developed by the IFC marketing team, led by Evan Shapiro, Senior Vice President, IFC Marketing.
“This isn’t a tour as much as it is a movement,” he said. “We will move into each market and establish a high profile with the help of Loews Theaters, our local cable affiliates and our own marketing efforts. The tour will provide an exciting local advertising tool for cable operators, while creating high awareness for the July 9th premiere and the full run of Ultimate Film Fanatic on our network.”
Film lovers interested in taking the Ultimate Film Fanatic challenge can stop by any of the IFC events; pre-registration is not necessary. Participants will take part in ten-minute trivia lightning rounds presided over by a local show host. All participants will receive T-shirts, with special prizes – including prizing from Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins — for trivia winners. Each event will take place on an Ultimate Film Fanatic tour “set,” complete with buzzers for players, a podium for the local host and an Ultimate Film Fanatic backdrop.
Following is a partial schedule of Ultimate Film Fanatic events in the Boston area. Additional stagings will be announced at a later date:
| July 1, 7-10 p.m. | Loews Boston Commons |
| July 2-3, 1-4 p.m. | 175 Tremont Street, Boston |
| ? | |
| July 8-9, 7-10 p.m. | Loews Methuen |
| July 10, 3-6 p.m. | 90 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen |
| ? | |
| July 16, 7-10 p.m. | Loews Liberty Tree Mall |
| July 17-18, 3-6 p.m. | 100 Independence Way, Danvers |
| ? | |
| July 23, 7-10 p.m. | Loews Assembly Square |
| July 24, 3-6 p.m. | 35 Middlesex Avenue, Somerville |
Loews Cineplex Entertainment and IFC will jointly promote the events in a variety of ways. A co-branded trailer, produced by Loews and IFC and starring Ultimate Film Fanatic host Chris Gore leading a chorus of moviegoers in the Loews jingle, will run on all Loews screens nationwide, as well as nationally on IFC and locally on cable systems. Both companies will employ radio and print marketing to encourage participation in the events and drive traffic to Loews’ enjoytheshow.com.
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.