Netflix, Inc. announced deals with a number of distributors of independent film that will give Netflix members the opportunity to instantly watch hundreds of new indie titles in addition to existing independent films available through the Netflix service.
According to the statement, Netflix consummated non-exclusive licensing agreements to instantly stream films from distributors The Criterion Collection, Gravitas Ventures, Kino Lorber, Music Box Films, Oscilloscope Laboratories and Regent Releasing. In all, some 300 new indie titles can now be watched instantly or will become available to do so early next year. In some cases, Netflix has struck output deals to stream all new releases from particular distributors as they become available during the course of the agreements. For $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers via Netflix ready devices and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes.
“We have always been committed to offering our members the most expansive and diverse library of films and TV episodes and have found that a large number of members enjoy the innovative, artist-driven nature of independent film,” said Robert Kyncl, vice president of content acquisition for Netflix. “These new deals are intended to delight our members with a mass of great new indie films and to continue to provide filmmakers and distributors with a big, receptive audience for their work.”
Among the choices that are now or will soon become available to watch instantly at Netflix under the new agreements are “Departures” (Regent Releasing/Here Films), Yojiro Takita’s 2009 Academy Award winner for best foreign language film; “Wendy and Lucy” (Oscilloscope), the poignant 2008 tale of a woman and her dog on the edge starring Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams; “A Nos Amours” and “Au Revoir Les Enfants” (Criterion), two classics of French independent cinema; “Good Dick” (Gravitas), a modern fairy tale from 2008 written by, directed and starring Scottish-born Marianna Palka; “As It Is in Heaven” (Kino Lorber), the 2004 Swedish hit and foreign language Oscar nominee about a famous conductor and the church choir he inspires; and “Seraphine” (Music Box), the 2009 biopic about the brilliant, self-taught French painter Seraphine Louis.
For more information visit: www.netflix.com