SUNDANCE: Hot on the heels of the event cinema fund launched by Tugg and New Balloon, Indiegogo and Vimeo have announced a distribution partnership. Separately, Vertical has acquired Dial A Prayer and Gravitas Ventures has picked up Any Day.

The content grab for Vimeo sees it become the preferred platform for films that Indiegogo back and gain exclusive distribution rights on Vimeo On Demand to select titles it supports via a new fund.

Indiegogo will also join the fledgling Vimeo On Demand Publisher Network and will embed a dedicated VOD storefront on its site featuring titles available for purchase.

Vimeo will also create a dedicated Indiegogo VOD home on Vimeo featuring a carousel of curated titles from the crowdfunder.

The venture launches with Malcom Carter’s documentary Connected Universe.

  • Vertical Entertainment has closed a deal in Park City for North American rights to Maggie Kiley’s Dial A Prayer, a non-Sundance title that stars Brittany Snow and William H Macy. Vertical plans a late spring theatrical release after brokering the deal with producer Jason Potash, Paul Finkel and representatives from XYZ Films and Preferred Content. 
  • Gravitas Ventures has picked up US rights from CAA to Jaguar Entertainment’s drama Any Day starring Sean Bean, Eva Longoria and Kate Walsh. Rustam Branaman wrote and directed the story of an ex-con struggling to be an inspiration to his young nephew. Gravitas has earmarked a May 1 theatrical release.