Netflix is understood to have struck a four-film deal with Mark and Jay Duplass, it has emerged in Park City.

According to Deadline Hollywood, which broke the story, the deal calls for a short theatrical window prior to roll-out on Netflix’s streaming service.

The prolific Duplass brothers served as executive producers on Sundance 2015 entries The Bronze, Tangerine and Overnight, as well as the animated series Animals.

  • Tugg has partnered with cross-platform media specialists New Balloon on an event cinema fund.

The companies aim to provide investment capital, expertise and other resources toward marketing and distributing culturally significant films.

Each film should demonstrate a direct relationship with its audience through crowdfunding campaigns, regional and national organizational support and/or corporate partners.

Qualifying criteria also dictate that eligible films should “show a willingness to innovate through original means of storytelling, hybrid distribution models, and an understanding of the importance of community-driven screenings toward their overall campaign goals.”

The fund will collaborate with studios, mini-majors, entrepreneurial independent filmmakers, and distributors to enhance traditional release strategies.

  • CNN Films announced a series of short films marking a collaboration between CNN Films and CNN Digital Studios. 

CNN also said it has acquired The 414s: The Original Teenage Hackers, set to premiere in the shorts programme in Park City.

The shorts will showcase emerging film-maker talents and debut across CNN’s digital platforms such as CNN.com and mobile properties including CNNgo, as well as CNN’s social media network. 

The 414s: The Original Teenage Hackers directed by Michael T Vollmann will premiere in a series of at least four short CNN Films premiering online in spring. 

Additional shorts slated for 2015 include an untitled project by Joe Berlinger, the unusual behind-the-scenes look at how a New York supermodel rose to success; and Sarah Feeley’s Raising Ryland.

“This new venture into short-form documentary story-telling brings to fruition, our vision for a premium, multidimensional, film brand for CNN,” said Vinnie Malhotra, svp of development and acquisitions for CNN Worldwide.

“CNN Films premieres have the ability to capture audiences across theatrical, broadcast, and now digital spaces.”

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