Warner Independent Pictures

Warner Independent Pictures
Company typeDivision
IndustryFilm
FoundedAugust 7, 2003; 21 years ago (2003-08-07)
FounderMark Gill
DefunctNovember 12, 2008; 16 years ago (2008-11-12)
FateClosed
SuccessorsStudio:
Warner Bros. Pictures
Castle Rock Entertainment
Library:
Warner Bros.
Headquarters
Burbank, California
,
United States
ParentWarner Bros.
Websitewip.warnerbros.com at the Wayback Machine (archived November 7, 2008) (now redirects to www.warnerbros.com)

Warner Independent Pictures was an independent film division of the American film studio Warner Bros. Entertainment. Established on August 7, 2003, its first release was 2004's Before Sunset, the sequel to the 1995 film Before Sunrise. The division financed, produced, acquired and distributed feature films largely budgeted under $20 million.

Mark Gill was the division's first president.[1] After a controversial departure, Gill was replaced by former Warner Bros. production executive Polly Cohen,[2] who served as president of this division until fall 2008, when the division was officially shut down. While well versed in big-budget motion picture production, it was widely believed Cohen did not have strong enough backgrounds in independent film, or in the marketing/publicity aspects of film distribution, to hold that role. This led to a lackluster slate and output, after a successful initial run under Gill.

In February 2008, Time Warner announced that it would merge New Line Cinema into Warner Bros. New Line's "independent" group Picturehouse was expected to be merged into Warner Independent as part of this process. On May 8, 2008, however, it was announced that both of these specialty divisions would be shut down.[3][4] In 2013 however, Picturehouse was relaunched under separate ownership.[5]

Films

Title Release Date Notes
Before Sunset July 2, 2004 co-production with Castle Rock Entertainment
A Home at the End of the World July 23, 2004 co-production with Hart-Sharp Entertainment
We Don't Live Here Anymore August 13, 2004 North American and UK distribution only; produced by Front Street Pictures; co-distributed in the UK by Redbus Film Distribution
Criminal September 10, 2004
Around the Bend October 8, 2004
A Very Long Engagement December 17, 2004 North American distribution only; distributed internationally by Warner Bros. Pictures
The Jacket March 4, 2005 North American, UK and Filipino distribution only; co-production with Mandalay Pictures
Eros April 8, 2005 North American distribution only
March of the Penguins July 22, 2005 multiple award winner, including an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature
US and UK co-distribution with National Geographic Films only; produced by Bonne Pioche
Everything Is Illuminated September 16, 2005 co-production with Big Beach
Good Night, and Good Luck October 14, 2005 multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture
co-production with 2929 Entertainment, Participant Productions and Section Eight
Paradise Now October 28, 2005 Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film
nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
North American and UK distribution only
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World January 20, 2006 North American distribution only; produced by Shangri-La Entertainment
Duck Season March 10, 2006 North American co-distribution with Esperanto Filmoj only
The Promise May 5, 2006 North American distribution only
A Scanner Darkly July 7, 2006 co-production with Thousand Words and Section Eight
The Science of Sleep September 22, 2006 North American and UK distribution only; produced by Gaumont, France 3 Cinéma and Canal+
Infamous October 13, 2006
For Your Consideration November 22, 2006 North American and UK distribution only; co-production with Castle Rock Entertainment and Shangri-La Entertainment
The Painted Veil January 19, 2007 North American distribution only; co-production with Bob Yari Productions and The Mark Gordon Company
The Astronaut Farmer February 23, 2007 original distributor; ultimately distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures; produced by Polish Brothers Construction and Spring Creek Pictures
In the Land of Women April 20, 2007 original distributor; ultimately distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures; produced by Castle Rock Entertainment and Anonymous Content
Introducing the Dwights August 3, 2007 North American, UK and German distribution only; known as Clubland in Australia
The 11th Hour August 17, 2007 distribution only
December Boys September 14, 2007 distribution outside Australia and New Zealand only; produced by Village Roadshow Pictures and Film Finance Corporation Australia
In the Valley of Elah September 28, 2007 North American distribution only; co-production with Summit Entertainment, NALA Films, Samuels Media and Blackfriars Bridge
Rails & Ties October 26, 2007 original distributor; ultimately distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures; produced by Malpaso Productions
Darfur Now November 2, 2007 co-production with Participant Productions
Mama's Boy December 21, 2007 original distributor; ultimately distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures; produced by Carr/Santelli Productions
Snow Angels March 7, 2008 distribution outside Latin America, Spain and select other territories only; produced by Crossroads Films
Funny Games March 14, 2008 US, Australian, French and Spanish distribution only; co-production with Tartan Films, Celluloid Dreams and FilmFour
Chaos Theory April 11, 2008 original distributor; ultimately distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures; produced by Castle Rock Entertainment and Lone Star Film Group
Towelhead September 26, 2008 distribution in North American and an Eastern European territory with Red Envelope Entertainment (uncredited) only; produced by Indian Paintbrush, This is that Corporation and Your Face Goes Here Productions
Slumdog Millionaire November 12, 2008 multiple award winner, including an Academy Award for Best Picture
original distributor; ultimately distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and Fox Searchlight Pictures; produced by Pathé, Celador Films and FilmFour

References

  1. ^ "Warner Bros. Unveils Specialty Division with Mark Gill at the Helm – IndieWire". August 8, 2003. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  2. ^ "Polly Cohen Named New President of Warner Independent Pictures – IndieWire". May 8, 2006. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  3. ^ McNary, Dave; Hayes, Dade (May 8, 2008). "Picturehouse, WIP to close shop". Variety. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  4. ^ Finke, Nikki (May 8, 2008). "End Of Picturehouse Was Predicted; But End Of Warner Independent Not So Much". Deadline. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  5. ^ "Bob Berney Relaunching Picturehouse, Signs Output Deal with Netflix". www.hollywoodreporter.com. January 15, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2021.