AFM 2011: Drafthouse Buys North American Rights for Belgian Oscar Hopeful 'Bullhead,' 'Clown'

8:04 AM PDT 11/4/2011 by Georg Szalai

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The independent distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse also unveils an exclusive U.S. distribution deal with Image Entertainment and appoints James Emanuel Shapiro as COO.

Bullhead: Berlin Review

Mafia Film 'Bullhead' Belgium's Official Oscar Candidate

•American Film Market

Drafthouse Films, the independent distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse, said early Friday at AFM that it has signed an exclusive U.S. distribution deal with programming licensee and distributor Image Entertainment and appointed James Emanuel Shapiro, former executive director of sales planning and acquisitions for Anchor Bay Entertainment, as COO.

Drafthouse Films has also acquired North American rights to crime drama Bullhead, Belgium’s 2012 Oscar candidate for best foreign language film and comedy Clown.

Michael Roskam’s Bullhead played at Berlin Film Festival, among others, and is about a man dealing with the Belgian cattle growth hormones mafia.

Clown follows "two wildly inappropriate friends as they run amok through the Danish countryside plowing through social taboos and unspeakable debaucheries."

“They perfectly embody the bold and diverse slate that we plan to release under Drafthouse Films, and Image Entertainment is the perfect partner to help us get the broadest possible reach for them,” said Drafthouse Films founder Tim League.

Also planned for Drafthouse Films in 2012 are the recently announced releases of The FP and the 3D restoration of 1980s cult hit Comin’ at Ya!

The Image deal spans home video, digital, TV and VOD platforms helping expand the Alamo Drafthouse entertainment lifestyle brand. Drafthouse will release both new product and repertory titles as part of the deal.