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HULU INKS ITS BIGGEST OUTPUT DEAL FOR FILM TO DATE WITH ANNAPURNA PICTURES
April 6, 2017
New Pact to Bring Future Titles from Megan Ellison’s Auteur-driven
Film Production Company Exclusively to Hulu following their Theatrical Release
Deal Marks the First-ever Output Licensing Agreement for Annapurna Pictures
SANTA MONICA, CA [April 06, 2017] – Hulu and Annapurna Pictures today announced a groundbreaking output licensing agreement that will grant Hulu the pay one window streaming rights to films released by the major film producer and distributor. Under the multi-year pact, future films released by Annapurna Pictures will stream exclusively on Hulu following their theatrical release. The deal marks the biggest film output licensing agreement for Hulu, as well as the first-of-its-kind agreement for Annapurna Pictures.
Annapurna’s first release is the highly anticipated UNTITLED DETROIT PROJECT, directed by Kathryn Bigelow on August 4, 2017. Next up in production is the film adaptation of Maria Semple’s WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE, to be directed by Richard Linklater, starring Cate Blanchett. With the new output agreement in place, Hulu will acquire the exclusive pay one window streaming rights to the two upcoming films, as well as future films by Annapurna Pictures.
Founded by Megan Ellison, Annapurna Pictures – the production company behind ZERO DARK THIRTY, AMERICAN HUSTLE, HER, and SAUSAGE PARTY – has developed a history of creating award-winning, high-quality films that attract top creators and appeal to diverse audiences. To date, the company’s films have amassed thirty-two Academy Award nominations for films including ZERO DARK THIRTY, JOY, FOXCATCHER, AMERICAN HUSTLE, HER and Paul Thomas Anderson’s THE MASTER.
“We are thrilled to have found a forward-thinking partner and home for Annapurna’s films in Hulu and are excited that the work of our filmmakers will be available and easily accessible for audiences on this amazing platform,” said Annapurna President of Distribution Erik Lomis.
“Annapurna Pictures has developed a well-known reputation of delivering standout, award winning films year after year. These are exactly the types of titles we look for to expand our film offering, and we are confident that our viewers will love watching their future slate of releases on Hulu,” said Craig Erwich, SVP and Head of Content, Hulu.
The new deal follows a string of multi-year, pay one window output agreements with independent distributors including IFC Films for documentaries and Magnolia Pictures. In addition, Hulu recently set deals with EPIX and The Walt Disney Studios that significantly expanded and reinforced Hulu’s increased efforts in film over the past year.
Chris Corabi, Josh Small, and Don Hardison negotiated the deal on behalf of Annapurna.
ABOUT HULU
Hulu is a premium streaming television destination that offers hundreds of thousands of hours of the best of current season programming, premium original content, films and full seasons of hit series to subscribers with limited commercials for $7.99 per month and commercial free for $11.99 per month. Hulu is the only subscription streaming service that offers current season content from the largest U.S. broadcast networks, as well as acclaimed Hulu Originals including The Mindy Project, The Path, 11.22.63, Difficult People, the Golden Globe® nominated comedy series Casual, and the upcoming The Handmaid’s Tale, Future Man and The Looming Tower. Since its launch in 2008, Hulu has been at the forefront of entertainment and technology and continues to redefine TV by connecting viewers with the stories they love.
ABOUT ANNAPURNA PICTURES
Annapurna Pictures, founded by Megan Ellison, focuses on creating sophisticated, high-quality content that is critically and commercially conscious while still appealing to a diverse audience. By upholding Ellison’s vision to put filmmakers and artists first and preserve their authentic creative voices no matter the genre or medium, in 5 years, the company has garnered a total of 32 Academy Award nominations for their projects, including ZERO DARK THIRTY, JOY, THE MASTER, FOXCATCHER, and THE GRANDMASTER. Ellison is also one of only four honorees ever to receive two Best Picture nominations in the same year, with HER and AMERICAN HUSTLE, both earning nods in 2014. Currently, Annapurna is in post-production on Kathryn Bigelow’s UNTITLED DETROIT PROJECT, which it will release as its first distribution title on August 4, 2017. The company is also in production on Paul Thomas Anderson’s untitled new period film starring Daniel Day-Lewis and is developing the film adaptation of Maria Semple’s WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE, to be directed by Richard Linklater. Annapurna’s most recent projects include Mike Mills’ 20TH CENTURY WOMEN, which was nominated for two Golden Globes and earned Mills a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award nomination, as well as SAUSAGE PARTY, WIENER-DOG, and EVERYBODY WANTS SOME, with THE BAD BATCH set for release by Neon in 2017. Additionally, Annapurna is partners with Mark Boal on the company Page One, where they produced season two of the hit podcast SERIAL. Bigelow also directed and partnered with Annapurna on the animated short LAST DAYS, about illegal elephant poaching and the ivory trade.
Media Contacts
Alex Finegersh
Hulu Corporate Communications
424-273-8130
Bebe Lerner
ID-PR, Annapurna
323-822-4824
