Sundance 2012: Kevin Smith and Phase 4 Films Ink Distribution Deal

The indie distributor will exhibit and release up to 12 films per year in the U.S. and Canada under the 'Kevin Smith and SModcast Presents' label.

5:31 PM PST 1/23/2012 by Daniel Miller, Jay A. Fernandez

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Kevin Smith

Phase 4 Films has entered into a distribution deal with filmmaker Kevin Smith's SModcast Pictures, Toronto-based Phase 4 announced today. The pact called for Phase 4 to exhibit and distribute up to 12 films per year in the U.S. and Canada under the "Kevin Smith and SModcast Presents" label.

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Phase 4 will release four of the films in theaters annually, and those will be promoted via a live tour with Smith, a prolific spoken word performer. He conducted a similar tour for Red State, his controversial thriller that bowed at Sundance in 2011. Phase 4 released Red State in Canada last year.

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“We had a terrific experience working with Kevin and his team on Red State in Canada, and are thrilled to be embarking on this new venture with him," Phase 4 CEO Berry Meyerowitz said. "This label will connect filmmakers and producers with a rabid audience of movie fans that only Kevin Smith can deliver."

At last year's festival, Smith held a mock auction for rights to Red State, which starred Melissa Leo and John Goodman. Smith ultimately bought the rights to his own movie for $20 following its premiere at the Eccles Theatre and said he would distribute it via his SModcast Pictures.

Email: Daniel.Miller@THR.com; Jay.Fernandez@THR.com

Twitter: @DanielNMiller; @Writer730