By MCN Editor editor@moviecitynews.com

FOCUS WORLD PARTNERING WITH TUGG, INC. TO RELEASE NACHO VIGALONDO’S EXTRATERRESTRIAL; SCI-FI COMEDY TO BE RELEASED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN THEATERS AND VIA VIDEO ON DEMAND

Posted Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 - Comments Off on FOCUS WORLD PARTNERING WITH TUGG, INC. TO RELEASE NACHO VIGALONDO’S EXTRATERRESTRIAL; SCI-FI COMEDY TO BE RELEASED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN THEATERS AND VIA VIDEO ON DEMAND
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NEW YORK, April 17, 2012 – Focus World (www.FocusFeatures.com/FocusWorld), the unique alternative distribution initiative owned and operated by Focus Features, will distribute Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo’s science fiction comedy Extraterrestrial in partnership with Tugg, Inc. The movie will be released in theaters and via video on demand (VOD) beginning Friday, June 15, 2012, and will also be available for audiences nationwide to create their own theatrical screenings through the Tugg platform. The announcement was made today by Focus President Andrew Karpen. The deal was closed by Avy Eschenasy, Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning, Business Affairs and Acquisitions, with Kent Sanderson, Director, Alternative Content & Distribution.

The unique distribution strategy will provide moviegoers with the opportunity to see Extraterrestrial both theatrically, via Tugg, as well as through Focus World’s digital distribution network. While also being available to filmgoers across the country through Tugg, Extraterrestrial will have an initial theatrical release in select cities including Brooklyn, NY (at reRun’s Gastropub Theater) and Seattle, WA (at the Uptown Theatre), on June 15; North Hollywood, CA (at Laemmle’s Noho 7), on June 22; and in Texas (at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema locations) in June.

Tugg’s collective action web-platform will complement the established theatrical and VOD options by giving viewers in additional cities the ability to bring Extraterrestrial to their local theater. Through Tugg, an individual can create personalized theatrical screenings by selecting the date, time, and theater of their choice, and then spreading the word to their friends and fellow film fans. Once enough people commit to attending, the event will be confirmed and fans can host their own screening of the movie. To request a screening through Tugg, visit www.tugg.com/extraterrestrial; for more information on how Tugg works, visitwww.tugg.com/howtuggworks.

In Extraterrestrial, a world premiere at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival, Spanish writer/director Nacho Vigalondo follows up his cult feature Timecrimes by way of another sly and unexpected twist on a sci-fi genre – an alien-invasion tale. Two strangers in Madrid, fresh off a one-night stand, find their morning after disrupted by a suspicious neighbor, a jealous ex, and a mysterious flying saucer suddenly hovering over the city. Entertainment One will release Extraterrestrial on DVD later in the summer.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring Nacho’s work back to audiences in the United States. This strategy allows his fans to see Extraterrestrial either on the big screen with an audience, or in the comfort of their own homes,” said Focus’ Avy Eschenasy.

Launched in 2011, Focus World identifies and curates the most exciting voices in international and independent cinema. Part of Focus Features’ multi-platform strategy, Focus World presents titles of genuine vision and originality as premiere releases on EST, iVOD, and VOD, along with DVD and other formats.

Focus World has also confirmed another new selection, Worried About the Boy, which tells the life story of George O’ Dowd, better known to the world as Boy George. Douglas Booth, the star of this month’s PBS miniseries Great Expectations as well as the upcoming movie Romeo and Juliet, portrays George. Worried About the Boy is currently available on VOD and iTunes, where it can be owned exclusively for a limited time.

About Focus Features

Focus Features is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

About Tugg, Inc.

Tugg, Inc. (“Tugg”) is a collective action web-platform that enables individuals to choose the films that play in their local theaters. Through Tugg, individuals are empowered to select a film, screening time, and nearby theater; and then spread the word to their immediate and online community. Once a necessary amount of people commit to attending, the event will be confirmed and Tugg will reserve the theater, manage ticketing, and ensure delivery of the film – allowing the audience to sit back and enjoy the show. Tugg is working with exhibitors Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, AMC Theatres, Bow Tie Cinemas, Cinemark Theatres, Goodrich Quality Cinemas, Rave Cinemas, Regal Cinemas, and a number of independent theaters nationwide. These exhibitors provide theatrical venues for individually curated events showcasing Tugg’s growing library of hundreds of studio and independent films.

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It shows how out of it I was in trying to be in it, acknowledging that I was out of it to myself, and then thinking, “Okay, how do I stop being out of it? Well, I get some legitimate illogical narrative ideas” — some novel, you know?

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I was walking down the street and I ran into Bradbury — he directed a play that I was going to do as an actor, so we know each other, but he yelled “hi” — and I’d forgot who he was.

So at my girlfriend Barbara Hershey’s urging — I was with her at that moment — she said, “Talk to him! That guy really wants to talk to you,” and I said “No, fuck him,” and keep walking.

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