NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MoviePass Films LLC, a film production company majority owned by Helios and Matheson Analytics Inc. (Helios), and NEON Rated LLC, the award-winning independent distribution company behind such films as I, Tonya, Three Identical Strangers and Ingrid Goes West, now share equity ownership, as the deal closed and was funded September 21st, for the upcoming releases of Sundance award-winner Monsters and Men and Cannes award-winner Border, both of which are anticipated to open in the U.S. in the next few weeks.
Along with the MoviePass subscription service, the original business model has always included ancillary revenue from theaters that show its movies nationwide. The more box office revenue achieved through its own movies and from partnership movies through MoviePass Films, the more downstream revenue is derived from streaming, DVD sales, transactional sales, international rights, retail, etc., thereby contributing to the MoviePass ecosystem.
This partnership is a prime example. It will kick-off with the New York City premiere of Monsters and Men on September 25, 2018, ahead of the film’s New York and Los Angeles opening on September 27, 2018. The poignant drama, written and directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, and starring John David Washington and newcomers Anthony Ramos and Kelvin Harrison Jr., won the Sundance Special Jury Prize for Outstanding First Feature earlier this year. The film will be available in theaters nationwide in mid-October 2018.
The partnership will continue with the later release of Border, Ali Abassi’s stunning love story that took home the Top Prize in the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard sidebar earlier this year. Border was recently selected as Sweden’s entry for best foreign-language film at this year’s 91st Academy Awards by the Swedish Film Institute.
“We’re thrilled to partner with NEON on these two films and to be in business with an industry-leader such as NEON,” said MoviePass Films CEO Randall Emmett. “The films are high-caliber, prestige titles and are great fits for the MoviePass audience. We look forward to partnering with NEON in the future. With these two films in addition to our current slate of movies, MoviePass Films will have year-round releases.”
MoviePass Films’ sister company MoviePass Inc., the nation’s premier movie theater subscription service, will be making these two films available to subscribers as "Bonus Movies" which will not count toward their monthly in-theater movie allotment. Select MoviePass subscribers will also have a chance to attend the film’s red-carpet premieres and receive other special perks throughout the duration of the partnership.
“It’s great to see the different Helios media companies coming together and working towards generating more business for each other,” noted Helios CEO and MoviePass Films Chairman Ted Farnsworth. “Now with this NEON partnership, we have the honor to work with an award-winning distribution studio partner and further leverage the box office drive the MoviePass app offers theatrical releases.”
NEON remarked, “We are so happy to find a partner in MoviePass that shares our passion in supporting theatrical releases.”
MoviePass Films’ partnership with NEON on Monsters and Men and Border follows on the heels of MoviePass Films having just wrapped production on 10 Minutes Gone, starring Bruce Willis. Previously, MoviePass Films produced Gotti, The Row, co-acquired American Animals under MoviePass Ventures, and there is currently a slate of 10 films being prepared for production.
The deal with NEON was inked by Zac Bright, MoviePass Films’ President of Acquisitions, and NEON’s SVP of Acquisitions & Production, Jeff Deutchman.
About Helios and Matheson Analytics
Helios and Matheson Analytics Inc. (Nasdaq: HMNY) (“Helios”) is a provider of information technology services and solutions, offering a range of technology platforms focusing on big data, artificial intelligence, business intelligence, social listening, and consumer-centric technology. Helios currently owns approximately 92% of the outstanding shares (excluding options and warrants) of MoviePass Inc., the nation's premier movie-theater subscription service, 100% of the outstanding equity interests of MoviePass Ventures LLC, and 51% of the outstanding equity interests of MoviePass Films LLC. Helios' holdings also include RedZone Map™, a safety and navigation app for iOS and Android users, and a community-based ecosystem that features a socially empowered safety map app that enhances mobile GPS navigation using advanced proprietary technology. Helios also owns Moviefone, the entertainment information and marketing service which helps provide visitors with search and discovery. Helios is headquartered in New York, NY and listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol HMNY. For more information, visit us at www.hmny.com.
About MoviePass Inc.
MoviePass Inc. (“MoviePass”) is a marketing technology platform enhancing the exploration of film and the moviegoing experience. As the nation's premier movie-theater subscription service, MoviePass provides film enthusiasts the ability to attend select movies in theaters. The service, now accepted at more than 91% of theaters across the United States, is the nation's largest theater network. Visit us at moviepass.com.
About MoviePass Films
Producers of Gotti, The Row, and 10 Minutes Gone, MoviePass Films LLC (“MoviePass Films”) is 51% owned by Helios and Matheson Analytics Inc. and 49% owned by Emmett Furla Oasis Films. MoviePass Films focuses on studio-driven content and new film production for theatrical release and other distribution channels.
About NEON
Founded in 2016, NEON is an award-winning independent film distribution studio. Its debut film was Nacho Vigalondo's Colossal, starring Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis. NEON was an active player at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, acquiring Reinaldo Marcus Green's Monsters & Men, winner of the Sundance Dramatic Special Jury Award for Outstanding First Feature; Sam Levinson's Assassination Nation; and Tim Wardle's Three Identical Strangers, winner of the Sundance Special Jury Award for Storytelling. NEON had a record-breaking year with the release of the runaway hit winner I, Tonya, directed by Craig Gillespie, starring Margot Robbie and 2018 Oscar Winner for Best Supporting, Actress Allison Janney. Eliza Hittman's Sundance Award Winner Beach Rats, Matt Spicer's Sundance and Spirit Award Winner Ingrid Goes West; Laura Poitras's RISK, Ana Lily Amirpour's Venice Award Winner The Bad Batch and Errol Morris', The B-Side. Other recent NEON releases include Aaron Katz's Gemini; and the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival Opening Night film by Janus Metz, Borg Vs McEnroe; and Coralie Fargeat's groundbreaking feature film debut Revenge. After their successful collaboration on I, Tonya, in January 2018, 30WEST (Dan Friedkin's and Micah Green's strategic venture) partnered with NEON's Tom Quinn (Founder & CEO) and Tim League (Co-Founder) to become the majority investors in the company. At this year’s Toronto International Film Festival NEON purchased Brady Corbet's Natalie Portman starrer, Vox Lux, Tom Harper’s Wild Rose and John Chester’s The Biggest Little Farm.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking Information
Certain statements in this communication contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) that may not be based on historical fact, but instead relate to future events, including without limitation statements containing the words “believe”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect” and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this communication are forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions. Although Helios’ management believes that the assumptions made and expectations represented by such statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement contained herein will prove to be accurate. Actual results and developments (including, without limitation, the potential benefits to Helios from its partnership with Emmett Furla Oasis Films through MoviePass Films LLC, the ability of MoviePass to derive economic benefits from the partnership between MoviePass Films LLC and NEON and whether the films Monsters and Men and Border will yield economic benefits to Helios) may differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein, and even if such actual results and developments are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences or effects. Risk factors and other material information concerning Helios and MoviePass are described in Helios’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018 and other filings, including subsequent current and periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned to review such reports and other filings at www.sec.gov.
Given these risks, uncertainties and factors, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All forward-looking statements and information made herein are based on Helios’ current expectations and Helios does not undertake an obligation to revise or update such forward-looking statements and information to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.