LA-based EchelonEntertainment has formed a domestic theatrical alliance with NewmarkEntertainment to support independent films with aggressive print andadvertising packages.

The partners will start withthe offbeat comedy Nobody Knows Anything, which stars an ensemble castincluding Mike Myers, Janeane Garafalo and Virginia Madsen.

Newmark/Echelon willguarantee producers full theatrical distribution along with cash for prints and advertising.

Producers will have theopportunity to benefit from a full range of marketing and distribution servicessuch as release strategy planning, targeted marketing and favoured access toscreens.

Benefits also include thehandling of international film rights and domestic ancillary rights forbroadcast, cable and home video.

Echelon/Newmark is alsoforming a strategic alliance with Dale Poniewaz' Profile Entertainment,which has provided bridge loans and financing packages to numerous productionhouses.

Newmark Communications wasfounded by president Phillip B Newmark and built its reputation by providingpre-negotiated, targeted media techniques for clients including BMGDistribution and Elektra Records.

Echelon Entertainment is runby co-chief executive officers Billy Blake and Eric Louzil and has been aninternational sales agent, distributor, financier and producer of independentfilms for more than 17 years.