Multiple Media Entertainment (MME) and the fledgling Vancouver-based Pacific Northwest Pictures (PNP) have launched the distributor Cross Country Entertainment (CCE).

CCE will have offices in Vancouver and Toronto and will acquire theatrical and ancillary rights to product to go through subsidiary Cross Country Releasing (CCR).

MME CEO Michael Taylor and PNP president Zanne Devine become CCE co-presidents. MME svp sales and acquisitions Jennifer Graham will perform the same function for the new company and will be based in Toronto, while PNP vp of development and production will serve in the same capacity for CCE and is based in Vancouver.

Devine, Taylor, MME chairman Drew Craig and Myriad Pictures CEO Kirk D’Amico comprise the board. D’Amico will get first look at all titles for international representation.

“We are thrilled to be in business with Michael, Drew and Jennifer,” Devine said. “This is an ideal pooling of our resources for production and distribution purposes. With our feature film background and Michael and Drew’s extensive television experience, we will have all of the major platforms covered.”

“Drew and I are so pleased to be partnering with Zanne and Emily in this new and very exciting venture,” Taylor said. “We know that independent feature film producers here in Canada and around the world will be pleased to have another distributor who they can work with to release their films theatrically and across all media in Canada.”

The inaugural slate includes thriller Charlie Zone; Off World, which screened in the Perspective Canada Program in Cannes last year; and the 3D CG animated feature OZ3D.