Fortissimo Films Inks Deal With Netflix

HONG KONG – Fortissimo Films has inked a deal with online streaming service Netflix for more than 60 award-winning titles for Netflix's U.S. service.

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Starting in September, titles that will become available to Netflix users include international arthouse classics such as Chinese actor-director Jiang Wen’s Devil on the Doorstep (2000), Hong Kong helmer Clara Law’s Goddess of 1967 (1999), British director Mark Dornford-May’s U-Carmen eKhayelitsha, as well as new titles such as Mama Africa directed by Finland’s Mika Kaurismaki.

The titles were selected from Hong Kong and Amsterdam-based Fortissimo’s 300-title library that showcases the arthouse and independent features from acclaimed filmmakers around the world. The deal with Netflix marks the company’s first major venture into the digital space, after it had previously signed several small licensing arrangements in Australia and the U.S.

“We are very excited to be part of the digital streaming universe that Netflix has successfully created and built out in a short period of time. In making these critically praised films from all over the world available to American audiences; many for the first time, a great collaboration has been established and we look forward to expanding that with additional titles in the coming months,” said Fortissimo Films executive vp Winnie Lau. 

"This deal allows us to offer indie favorites like Devil On The Doorsteps, Goddess of 1967 and many more to our U.S. members,” said Lisa Nishimura, Netflix’s vp of independent content acquisition.

Netflix’s content is available to its 25 million subscribers in the United States, Canada, Latin America, the United Kingdom and Ireland for streaming.