The partners aim to acquire and jointly release seven or eight films a year simultaneously in theatres and on VoD.

Gravitas Ventures and Variance Films will be on the ground at SXSW in Austin, Texas, scouring for material. The companies will also continue to acquire product for their separate pipelines.

Gravitas brings a p&a fund to the mix, which the parties said on Thursday (Mar 8) would enable them to stage meaningful theatrical releases supported by grassroots outreach and marketing campaigns orchestrated by Variance.

The companies have previously partnered on such releases as American: The Bill Hicks Story, Amigo and the Ip Man films.