Lionsgate And BuzzFeed Launch Motion Picture Partnership

Justin Kroll
·3 min read

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EXCLUSIVE: Lionsgate and BuzzFeed are partnering on a new venture to develop, produce and distribute a multi-picture slate of socially relevant and high-concept feature films for global millennial and Gen Z audiences. As part of the partnership, Lionsgate will greenlight full-length feature films to be produced with BuzzFeed, each with unique, primarily digital, distribution strategies.

Aiming to elevate storytellers, the partnership will tap into a wide range of talent, from award-winning filmmakers to emerging new voices. With a number of films in development, Lionsgate and BuzzFeed will focus both on serving an ever-increasing demand for content with films based on original BuzzFeed IP as well as projects designed to tap into BuzzFeed’s engaged and established communities.

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Jason Moring and Michael Philip of production company CR8IV DNA will act as consultants. Lionsgate and BuzzFeed plan to launch their first co-production in 2021.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with BuzzFeed to expand our digital footprint with a slate of original films that speak to their highly engaged audience,” said Lauren Bixby, Lionsgate VP Acquisitions and Co-Productions. “With our innovative marketing strategy and agile distribution teams, combined with BuzzFeed’s impressive and extensive global reach, the partnership will allow two entrepreneurial companies to work together to develop some great IP.”

With a mission of celebrating and activating the newest generation of movie-lovers, content produced through the partnership will explore themes ranging from comedic reflections on the complexities of daily life to more timely societal issues.

“This exciting partnership with Lionsgate marks a new chapter for BuzzFeed and our studio endeavors,” said Richard Alan Reid, SVP Global Content & Film at BuzzFeed. “We are expanding our strategy to include long-form content, with a slate that celebrates identity, diversity and youth culture, and concepts that highlight themes and characters not typically at the center of pop movies.”

Recent research shows that 73% of the BuzzFeed audience make TV and film choices based on BuzzFeed’s content recommendations. In addition, the motion picture development process will be informed by data and insights from BuzzFeed’s dynamic feedback loop with its massive, loyal audience. Lionsgate’s proven day-and-date release model and flexible distribution capabilities provide the joint effort invaluable market experience in presenting groundbreaking films that will appeal to young adult audiences around the world.

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