Toronto 2012: Lionsgate and Roadshow Films Unveil Australian Output Agreement

TORONTO - Lionsgate has unveiled a mutli-year output deal in Australia with Roadshow Films as it continues to build out its global distribution network.

our editor recommends

Satellite Boy: Toronto Review

Toronto 2012: Lionsgate and Roadside Nab Gwyneth Paltrow Sex-Addiction Comedy 'Thanks for Sharing'

Following on a similar deal earlier this week in Spain with Aurum Producciones, Lionsgate tapped Village Roadshow’s distribution arm in Australia to handle its slate of films.

The Australian deal is separate from Summit Entertainment’s existing output deal with Entertainment One and its Hopscotch division, as the Lionsgate and Summit labels operate separately.

"We have successfully partnered with Roadshow in Australia on numerous films in the past, including the highly successful launch of the first film of the blockbuster Hunger Games franchise, and this agreement is a natural evolution of our historic partnership that promises significant benefits for both partners for many years to come,” Lionsgate motion picture group co-chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman said Thursday in a statement.

The agreement supplys Roadshow Films with a pipeline of movie product, including the Hunger Games franchise.

Roadshow Films generated over $31 million at the Australian box office for The Hunger Games release, and partnered with Lionsgate on other Australian releases like What to Expect When You’re Expecting and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.

The deal was hammered out by Wachsberger, Lionsgate International president Helen Lee Kim and Michael Meyer, executive vp of international business and legal affairs.