Cinema Retro has received the following press release from Film Masters.
ROCKPORT, Mass. — May 17, 2024 — For Immediate Release —
Film Masters, a leading vintage film restoration and distribution company, is
excited to announce a theatrical partnership with the American Genre Film
Archive (AGFA), the largest non-profit genre film archive and distributor in
the world.
Working to bring new life to forgotten classic titles
that have laid dormant for decades, Film Masters has released a notable and
well-received slate of pristine prints during its inaugural year—primarily
sourced from 35mm 4K scans that have been painstakingly restored for special
collector’s editions on Blu-ray and DVD, as well as for streaming and
broadcast—with original special features produced by a consortium of
contributors. In recognition of its work, Film Masters has been nominated for
several awards, including five Rondon Hatton categories and The Shelf Shock
Rewind Awards for “Best New Label.”
AGFA will distribute Film Masters’ newly restored classic
library theatrically. This is AGFA’s latest collaboration following
distribution partnerships with Arrow Films (Donnie Darko), Multicom (Freeway),
Severin Films (Santa Sangre), Shout! Factory (Black Christmas) and Something
Weird (Zodiac Killer).
Film Masters’ movies are available on DCP for theatrical
bookings from AGFA starting immediately. Newly restored titles to be
distributed by AGFA include early efforts from the late Roger Corman’s
Filmgroup, including Creature From the Haunted Sea (1961), in which Corman
recently contributed to the commentary by Tom Weaver for the recent home video
release by Film Masters. More Roger Corman titles available for booking from
Film Masters include: Beast From Haunted Cave (1959), Ski Troop Attack (1960),
Little Shop of Horrors (1960), The Devil's Partner (1961) and The Terror
(1963).
Other available theatrical bookings include: Battle of
the Worlds (1961), Common Law Wife (1963), Crippled Masters (1979), Door to
Door Maniac (1961), Right Hand of the Devil (1963), Redneck Miller (1976), The
Scarlet Letter (1934), The Swiss Conspiracy (1976), and Tormented (1960).
Additional titles from the Film Masters catalog will be announced later this
year.
Said Philip Hopkins, president of Film Masters, “AGFA’S
commitment to the presentation and preservation of genre film has greatly
enhanced the exposure for these important releases that the mainstream has
mostly ignored. We’re delighted to be included in their impressive portfolio of
studio partners and thrilled that our own preservation and restoration efforts
will now have the opportunity to be seen on the big screen again as originally
intended.”
Commented Jackson Cooper, executive director, AGFA, “AGFA
is proud to be partnering with Film Masters on this endeavor to present and
promote this library of classic genre films. The Film Masters team is a
dedicated, passionate group that understands the power of genre film and the
importance of experiencing these films in their restored, theatrical glory. We
are thrilled about this partnership and look forward to using the power of
moviegoing experiences to introduce new generations of film lovers to this important
collection.”
Interested parties can book Film Master’s films
theatrically by contacting bret.berg@americangenrefilm.com at AGFA.
About American Genre Film Archive:
Formed in 2009, the American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) is
a 501(c)(3) non-profit located in Austin, Texas. AGFA exists to preserve the
legacy of genre movies through collection, conservation and distribution.
Housing theatrical and home video distribution arms, a 4K film scanner and over
6,000 film prints, AGFA will never rest until genre movies rule the
world. Visit us online at: https://www.AmericanGenreFilm.com
About Film Masters:
Film Masters is a consortium of historians and
enthusiasts who seek to celebrate the preservation and restoration of films. We
are archivists, committed to storing film elements for future generations
and reviving films that have been sitting dormant for decades. By scanning in
2K and 4K, we give these lesser-known films the red-carpet treatment they
deserve. Leveraging modern means of distribution to release forgotten films
back into the world, we also produce original bonus materials, including feature-length
documentaries, which aid audiences in contextualizing and celebrating these
works of art as they were meant to be. Visit us online at:
www.FilmMasters.com