AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Specialty distributor B-Side Entertainment has secured worldwide distribution rights to the documentary PIRATE RADIO USA. In the spirit of bypassing mainstream media channels, the film will be released initially on May 22 via DRM-free download on BSIDE.COM, the company’s forthcoming online marketplace for independent films. The digital launch will be escalated in mid-Summer with a widespread grassroots screening release.
In PIRATE RADIO USA, DJ Him (director Jeff Pearson) and DJ Her (producer Mary Jones) take viewers on a rock-n-roll tour through the underground world of illegal radio in America, where people play what they want and say what they want – unless the FCC catches them. The film uses a riotous DIY approach to show low-wattage radio “Davids” as they battle to free the radio airwaves from mass media “Goliaths” and ultimately discover the real price of freedom.
B-Side, which also provides free online community technology to dozens of international film festivals, identified PIRATE RADIO USA as an audience favorite at the 2006 Austin Film Festival (AFF). AFF’s B-Side Festival Community members posted thousands of film ratings and reviews during the event, and B-Side recognized the film’s potential through its overwhelmingly positive audience feedback.
“Our festival technology helps us find movies that audiences love in places that other distributors are not even looking,” said B-Side CEO Chris Hyams. “Our proven grassroots exhibition model, combined with the upcoming launch of bside.com, will give Jeff and Mary the audience they know is out there and the economic terms they deserve.”
Director Jeff Pearson agrees. “There are tens of thousands of pirate radio fans in this country, not to mention millions more who are passionate about defending free speech, spreading social justice and fighting media tyranny. We’re convinced that B-Side’s innovative model will not only reach traditional independent film fans, but also the vast untapped audience of people who care about the film’s larger message.”
“Through the B-Side Festival Community, we were able to deliver a richer festival experience to our audience and create significant new opportunities for our filmmakers,” said Barbara Morgan, Executive Director of the Austin Film Festival. “We feel B-Side is emerging as a major player in the independent film landscape, and we are thrilled this partnership led them to acquire PIRATE RADIO USA."
More details about the film’s release will be available in the coming weeks at http://www.bside.com/ and www.pirateradiousa.com.
About B-Side Entertainment
B-Side Entertainment is a specialty distributor and online marketplace for independent films. Through innovative online marketing, alternative distribution models, and strategic partnerships with IFC and dozens of international film festivals, we help movies find their audiences, and introduce fans to their next favorite film. In 2006, B-Side established a groundbreaking grassroots screening model to release the electrifying music documentary Before the Music Dies (http://www.beforethemusicdies.com/), which has become a sensation among music fans.
On May 22, the company will launch the new BSIDE.COM, the largest online community of independent film audiences, which will offer DVDs and DRM-free downloads of great undiscovered independent films from festivals around the world. For more information, please visit www.bside.com.
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