Alliance Films has signed a Canadian output deal with Bob Berney and Bill Pohlad’s new distribution outfit Apparition, which opened its doors in August.

The deal was announced today by Alliance chairman Victor Loewy and Appartion CEO Berney. The first film to be released through the pact will be TIFF Closing Night title The Young Victoria, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee and starring Emily Blunt. It goes to cinemas in the US and Canada on November 13.

In a statement, Loewy said “We’ve worked with Bob Berney and distributed his movies for many years. He is a talented distributor and I wish him very well on this exciting new venture.” Berney responded: “Victor Loewy and his team are creative and entrepreneurial and that makes them a great partner for us in Canada.”

Berney has been behind such headlining releases as Pan’s Labyrinth, La Vie En Rose, The Passion Of The Christ, Monster, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, A Prairie Home Companion and Memento, while Pohlad, through
his River Road Entertainment, produced pictures such as Brokeback Mountain, Into the Wild, A Prairie Home Companion and the upcoming Fair Game, starring Sean Penn and Naomi Watts, and The Tree of Life,
written and directed by Terrence Malick.

Apparition has an output relationship with Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group (SPWAG) for all domestic ancillary rights. Apparition intends to release 7 or 8 films a year.

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