Non-profit body The California Film Institute (CFI) is venturing into distribution with the formation of CFI Releasing.

The first title on the roster is Noah and Logan Miller’s drama Touching Home starring Ed Harris, Robert Forster and Brad Dourif, which will open in spring in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Denver following the gala premiere in April at the Smith Rafael Film Center.

“Our focus going forward will be on distributing independent films with an original voice that have something distinctive to say,” CFI founder and executive director Mark Fishkin said.

“Our distribution arm will develop organically in a productive way that supports the organisation, while supporting who we are and what we do.” Jan Klingelhofer will serve as head of sales of CFI Releasing.

“What the Miller brothers accomplished epitomises the independent spirit of film-making and the kind of films we want to distribute,” Fishkin added. “They had no experience in Hollywood or the film industry, but achieved their dreams through sheer determination.”

CFI produces the Mill Valley Film Festival and owns and operates the Christopher B Smith Rafael Film Center.

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