Warner Independent Pictures
TypeDivision
IndustryFilm
FoundedAugust 7, 2003 (2003-08-07)
FounderMark Gill
DefunctNovember 12, 2008 (2008-11-12)
FateClosed
SuccessorsStudio:
Warner Bros. Pictures
Castle Rock Entertainment
Library:
Warner Bros.
Headquarters,
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 SunsetJuly 2, 2004co-production with Castle Rock Entertainment
A Home at the End of the WorldJuly 23, 2004co-production with Hart-Sharp Entertainment
We Don't Live Here AnymoreAugust 13, 2004
CriminalSeptember 10, 2004
Around the BendOctober 8, 2004
A Very Long EngagementDecember 17, 2004
The JacketMarch 4, 2005co-production with Mandalay Pictures
ErosApril 8, 2005
March of the PenguinsJuly 22, 2005multiple award winner, including an Academy Award for Documentary Feature & co-production with National Geographic Films & Bonne Pioche
Everything Is IlluminatedSeptember 16, 2005co-production with Big Beach
Good Night, and Good LuckOctober 14, 2005multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture & co-production with 2929 Entertainment, Participant Productions and Section Eight
Paradise NowOctober 28, 2005Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim WorldJanuary 20, 2006co-production with Shangri-La Entertainment
Duck SeasonMarch 10, 2006
The PromiseMay 5, 2006
A Scanner DarklyJuly 7, 2006co-production with Thousand Words and Section Eight
The Science of SleepSeptember 22, 2006co-production with Gaumont, France 3 Cinéma and Canal+
InfamousOctober 13, 2006
For Your ConsiderationNovember 22, 2006co-production with Castle Rock Entertainment and Shangri-La Entertainment
The Painted VeilJanuary 19, 2007co-production with Bob Yari Productions and The Mark Gordon Company
Introducing the DwightsAugust 3, 2007known as "Clubland" in Australia
The 11th HourAugust 17, 2007
December BoysSeptember 14, 2007co-production with Village Roadshow Pictures, Becker Entertainment and Film Finance Corporation Australia
In the Valley of ElahSeptember 28, 2007co-production with Summit Entertainment
Rails & TiesOctober 26, 2007The film was supposed to be released under the label but Warner Bros Pictures distributed it.
Darfur NowNovember 2, 2007co-production with Participant Productions
Snow AngelsMarch 7, 2008co-production with Crossroads Films
Funny GamesMarch 14, 2008co-production with Tartan Films, Celluloid Dreams and FilmFour
TowelheadSeptember 26, 2008co-production with Indian Paintbrush
Slumdog MillionaireNovember 12, 2008co-production with Pathé UK, Celador Films and FilmFour, which was sold to Fox Searchlight Pictures after Warner Independent closed. The main Warner Bros. studio retained distribution rights in some countries outside North America and split distribution rights 50-50 for North America with Fox Searchlight, with then-newly founded Fox Star Studios distributing it in India, where the film is set. After Warner Independent closed, the film seemed destined to go straight to DVD before the deal with Fox Searchlight. Slumdog Millionaire would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

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. Hayes, Dave McNary,Dade; McNary, Dave; Hayes, Dade (May 8, 2008). "Picturehouse, WIP to close shop". Variety. Retrieved February 24, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  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.
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