Former studio marketing and distribution executives Paul Hudsonand Peter Peterson have announced the launch of Outsider Pictures, a SantaMonica-based distributor of independent features and documentaries in North andLatin America.

The self-financed company plans to release six to eight pictureseach year and will handle theatrical, home video, and television distribution.Peterson said the company will also act as distributor for hire on certainprojects. Titles will be released in Latin America through sub-licensing deals.

Four pictures will open thisyear from Outsider's seven-film launch slate, kicking off in August with SpiroTaraviras' Buzz. The documentary focuses on the life of screenwriter AIBezzerides, who wrote Kiss Me Deadly, OnDangerous Ground, and They Drive by Night.

Next up is Robert Connolly's Three Dollars, about the father of a sick child who isfaced with a life-changing choice when he finds himself with only three dollarsto his name. David Wenham, Frances O'Connor and Sarah Wynter star.

Randall Rubin and Jon Schroder's romantic crime caper Jimmy AndJudy will open inmid-September. Edward Furlong, Rachael Bella and William Sadler headline thetale of lovers who hit the road in a drug-fuelled spree of sex and violence.

Rounding out the 2006 slate is Barbara Willis Sweete's documentaryFive Days In September Ð The Rebirth Of An Orchestra, chronicling the Toronto SymphonyOrchestra's first days with new conductor Peter Oundjian.

Set for release in 2007 are: These Foolish Things, Julia Taylor-Stanley's tale ofstruggling actors in pre-war London starring Anjelica Huston, Lauren Bacall andTerence Stamp; Gianpaolo Tescari's Italian psychodrama Through The Eyes OfAnother (Gli OcchiDell'altro), about aKurdish refugee who stirs racial tensions in a liberal family; and JorgeLanata's Argentinean documentary Debt (Deuda), which investigates global corruption and it link to poverty.

"We're really excited about our eclectic slate,"Peterson said. "There is a strong interest in documentaries andindependent films in the US right now, and we are going to try and capitaliseon that."

"Movies have always been our passion and Outsider Picturesallows us to play a part in bringing independent and foreign films to theatresacross the country," Hudson added.