Christal Films Expands Operations Coast-to-Coast
Company takes charge of its own theatrical, video and television distribution across Canada
On May 31st of this year, Christal Films Distribution Inc., Lionsgate Films and Maple Pictures will dissolve their distribution partnership. After six years as a joint venture, Christal Films will now distribute its own films in Canada. The move will make Christal the only nationwide independent operation executing its own theatrical releases, video distribution and television sales across Canada, without an intermediary. Christian Larouche, President of Christal Films, says the change is integral to the company’s development. "My company has reached a stage of maturity and acquired a strong reputation that can only serve as a springboard for us to become completely independent. We have already, for the past year, been distributing our own movies to theatres across Canada – including March of the Penguins and The Wind That Shakes the Barley, which have been hugely successful. Starting June 1st, Christal Films will also handle its own video releases and take charge of television sales outside of Quebec. My team is ready to undertake the challenges that await us. Our slate includes a list of prestigious films that will shortly be released in movie theatres and on DVD, as well as being available to television broadcasters. I have a lot of confidence in these assets, and therefore feel motivated to go forward. In movie theatres and living rooms across Canada, our films will now be distributed in line with a single vision – our own. I have no doubt that we’re ready for this change which will provide us with an opportunity to further pursue our target areas of activity.” Christian Larouche started his filmmaking career at Cinépix Inc, which subsequently became Cinépix/Famous Players (CFP). He was instrumental in making CFP one of Canada's leading independent production and distribution companies. In 1997, CFP became Lionsgate Films, and in 2001, Christian Larouche launched Christal Films Distribution Inc., a Lionsgate partner. Over the past few years, Christian Larouche has developed numerous production and distribution projects, and in 2006, determined to strengthen Christal’s presence across Canada, opened a Toronto office. He recently appointed Joanne Senécal as Vice President, Distribution. Ms. Senécal, who has over 17 years’ experience in film distribution, is responsible for Christal’s film acquisitions, as well as the strategic planning and implementation of all marketing campaigns required to get the company’s films out to theatres across the country. Claude Carpentier, who has served as Executive Vice President of Christal Films since 1998, will be responsible for video distribution in all Canadian provinces. Tony Wosk has been managing the Toronto office since it opened as Director of Acquisitions and Development, English Canada. The name of Christal Films’ executive responsible for television sales in English Canada will be announced shortly. Following the highly successful Canadian launches of March of the Penguins (Best Documentary at the 2006 Oscars) and The Wind That Shakes the Barley (Palme d’Or – Cannes 2006), Christal Films will be releasing the following titles in the next year: Wong Kar-Wai’s first English-language feature My Blueberry Nights (opening film, competition – Cannes 2007); Emir Kusturica’s Promise Me This (competition – Cannes 2007); The Orphanage (Critics’ Week – Cannes 2007), directed by Juan Antonio Bayona and produced by Guillermo Del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth); Woody Allen’s latest film Cassandra’s Dream; Earth, a documentary by Alastair Fothergill and produced by BBC Worldwide and Greenlight Media; as well as Christopher Smith’s horror comedy Severance.