Lionsgate to Distribute Kevin Smith Thriller

SANTA MONICA: Lionsgate has signed on to represent Kevin Smith’s controversial thriller Red State for VOD, SVOD, EST and TV in the U.S., while Smith’s SModcast Pictures retains the theatrical rights.

Smith’s self-distribution label will handle the theatrical distribution of the project, which stars Melissa Leo and John Goodman, in the U.S. Lionsgate Films is responsible for handling the digital, packaged and TV rights. With this multi-tier release strategy, the film will roll out across multiple platforms starting this September, followed by packaged media before the end of the year.

"Kevin has proven he knows how to mobilize his fan base surrounding the launch of his movies," said Jim Packer, Lionsgate’s president of worldwide television and digital distribution. "There has been great anticipation for Red State for almost a year. Although we could not participate in the innovative theatrical release, we are thrilled to bring his film to a wider audience this fall in VOD/Digital and packaged media. We expect that Kevin’s passion, combined with the talented cast and ongoing buzz, will ensure a successful fall launch."

"Before we decided to release Red State ourselves, Lionsgate was the ONLY distributor we hoped would buy the flick at Sundance," added Smith. "They understood The Harvey Boys’ commitment to a non-traditional theatrical release, and now embrace Red State like it is their own. And we’ve embraced the Gate as essential partners who’ll run Red on video-on-demand and Blu-ray. This company crushed it with Dogma back in ’99 and ever since, they’ve been able to punch through always-crowded cineplexes with the most responsible marketing budgets in the industry. My flick is my art and my art is like my child; and I feel safe letting Lionsgate babysit my kid."