It was probably inevitable that Syfy, which produces frequently charming low-budget genre thrillers for its Saturday night programming block would move up to the next weight class and go theatrical. Now, in tandem with Universal Pictures, Syfy Ventures is coming to a theater near you. The newly formed Syfy Films will produce two modestly budgeted films per year beginning in 2012.
Details from the press release follow the jump.
SYFY VENTURES AND UNIVERSAL PICTURES LAUNCH
SYFY FILMS
New Film Company Will Create Syfy Branded Genre Films
NEW YORK, NY and UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – December 15, 2010 – Syfy Ventures and Universal Pictures are joining forces to create Syfy Films, a new film company that will develop and produce Syfy branded theatrical motion pictures to be distributed by Universal. The new entity will leverage Syfy’s genre expertise to produce human and relatable theatrical releases from the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, supernatural and horror. Beginning in 2012, Syfy Films will distribute one to two films a year through Universal Pictures. The announcement was made today by Dave Howe, President Syfy and Chiller, Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Syfy and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions, Universal Pictures Chairman Adam Fogelson and Co-Chairman Donna Langley.
“We know there is an incredible consumer appetite for genre content as proven by the top grossing box office films,” said Howe and Stern. “Partnering our brand with the theatrical talent of Universal Pictures, a premier motion picture company, will allow us to exploit our combined expertise and resources to create commercially successful quality films that have the potential to become great franchises for the whole company.”
“Syfy has been incredibly successful in finding ways to produce compelling entertainment for a specific audience,” said Fogelson and Langley. “Joining together to find moderately budgeted projects that we can develop using their expertise and their brand is a great opportunity for both of our companies.”
Mark Stern and Donna Langley will jointly oversee the operation. Universal and Syfy are currently looking for a production executive to run Syfy Films which will be based on the Universal Lot. That executive will work closely with the Universal and Syfy creative teams to find projects that they can develop by leveraging Syfy’s experience in developing genre programming. Universal will be responsible for distribution, marketing and publicity. Syfy will actively promote each film across Syfy’s television, online and mobile assets.