WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Timed to the historic repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, SnagFilms, an innovative leader in digital distribution for independent films, today announced the acquisition and multi-platform distribution plans for Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, a film that tells the stories of eighteen real-life characters and depicts the profound impact on both sides of the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was produced by independent studio Vuguru and will be distributed initially throughout the SnagFilms online network, including a release on Hulu and the Hulu Plus subscription service. Additionally, Rogers Media will distribute the film online throughout Canada. In a coordinated North American release, the film will roll out as eleven chapters, with the first chapter released today on SnagFilms.com (http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/dont_ask_dont_tell/) and subsequent chapters following sequentially in the days thereafter across the SnagFilms network. The full feature-length version will be released in its entirety on September 20th via Comcast Xfinity On Demand and FIOS TV On Demand, with Electronic-Sell-Through partners following soon thereafter.
Written, created by and starring Marc Wolf, Don't Ask Don't Tell uses three years of interviews with hundreds of soldiers and veterans, male and female, gay and straight and transforms those conversations into powerful performances that explore every facet of this hot button issue. In the film, Wolf re-enacts, from a first-person perspective, conversations and personal anecdotes ranging from former US Army Staff Sergeant Miriam Ben Shalom detailing her dishonorable discharge from the military; US Navy Officer Al Portes testifying before a congressional hearing that he “will refuse to serve with gays in the military”; an anonymous colonel describing the U.S. Marine Corps as a "hotbed of homosexuality"; Prof. Charles Moskos, the creator of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, justifying it’s creation; and a mother recounting the life-altering experience of being asked to identify of the remains of her dead son, killed by his squad because he was gay. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell adapts Marc Wolf’s Obie Award-winning one man show Another American: Asking and Telling, marking the first time an Off-Broadway show has been tailored for multi-platform distribution.
“This essential film unlocks and empowers the voices of individuals and communities -- as SnagFilms has done since our launch three years ago,” said Rick Allen, the Company’s CEO. “We exist to bring important films like Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to the broadest audience – creating an unexcelled global theater through digital technologies and platforms. Each chapter will bring the full web audience a rich entertainment experience, and culminate in the feature-length release on September 20th, an historic date.”
“Our partnership with SnagFilms enables us to bring these fascinating stories to a massive audience, and to do so in an unprecedented release pattern that takes full advantage of the power of the web and the reach of all digital platforms in the U.S.,” said Larry Tanz, President of Vuguru. “It is important for Don’t Ask Don’t Tell to be seen by as broad an audience as possible, and with Rogers Media on board to distribute the film online in Canada, this project reflecting the vast emotions of a watershed moment in our nation’s history receives the North American distribution that it deserves.”
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was produced by Daryl Roth, a distinguished Theatre Producer who fostered the play from its inception Off Broadway to film. Roth’ has produced six Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, including Anna in the Tropics; August: Osage County; How I Learned to Drive; Proof; Wit; and Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women. Roth also produced the 2011 Tony Award-winning revival of The Normal Heart.
Other key behind-the-scenes participants in the project include Director John C. Walsh (Ed's Next Move, Pipe Dream), Creative Consultant Mary Harron (American Psycho, I Shot Andy Warhol) and Producers Tara Power and Joselyn Allen (Decoupage Productions).
About SnagFilms
SnagFilms features free, sponsor-supported, on demand viewing of more than 2,300 award-winning titles from some of the greatest names in film. SnagFilms’ curated film collection is viewed on its own site and a digital network of more than 110,000 affiliated sites and webpages worldwide, including partners such as AOL, Comcast, Hulu, the Starbucks Digital Network, IMDb, the Miami Herald, hundreds of non-profits, special interest sites and blogs — and via its applications for the iPad and connected TV platforms Roku and Boxee. SnagFilms’ titles have been featured on approximately 3 billion pageviews across its network.
SnagFilms also offers selected titles via pay video on demand with Comcast and FiOS, as well as on iTunes, HuluPlus, Amazon and other partners. SnagFilms was recently named one of the fastest growing technology companies in Washington, DC area. Gizmodo has named SnagFilms as a “Best iPad App,” OVGuide has twice named SnagFilms a Top Site, and MovieMaker Magazine named SnagFilms to its annual list of “50 Best Websites for Moviemakers.” The SnagFilms family also includes indieWIRE, for more than 15 years the web’s top source of news, reviews and information about independent film.
About Vuguru LLC
Vuguru LLC is an independent studio that develops and finances scripted, story-driven content for digital and international platforms. Founded by Michael Eisner’s Tornante Company and backed by Canada’s Rogers Media, the company brings premium content opportunities to advertisers and distribution partners, enabling them to connect with target audiences. Vuguru programming has been distributed in over 40 countries around the world, and in 2010, the company structured a first-of-its-kind international sales & distribution commitment for ten projects with UK-based Content Media Corporation. In the US, Vuguru has a six-project licensing and distribution deal with AOL.
Vuguru’s inaugural series Prom Queen pioneered the online serial space with its unique format and distribution. Most recently, Vuguru’s The Booth at the End was licensed to Rogers Media for multi-platform distribution in Canada; FOX International Channels for distribution across its entire network of pay-TV channels and online sites; and Hulu for streaming distribution in the US. Additional Vuguru series include Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell; Pretty Tough; The All-For-Nots; Foreign Body; and two seasons of the Emmy-nominated Back on Topps.