Warner Independent Pictures

Warner Independent Pictures
Subsidiary of Warner Bros.
Fate Retired
Founded August 2003
Defunct May 8, 2008
Website http://wip.warnerbros.com/

Warner Independent Pictures was the specialty division of film studio Warner Bros. Entertainment. Established in August 2003, its first release was 2004's Before Sunset. The division financed, produced, acquired and distributed feature films largely budgeted under $20 million.

The use of independent in its name is not literal, as it is a division of Warner Bros., itself a division of media conglomerate Time Warner. Mark Gill was the division's first President. After a controversial departure, Gill was replaced by former Warner Bros. production executive Polly Cohen served as President of this division until fall 2008 when the company was officially shut down. While well-versed in big-budget motion picture production, it was widely believed Ms. Cohen did not have strong enough backgrounds in independent film, or in the marketing/publicity aspects of film distribution to hold that role. This led to a lackluster slate and output, after a successful initial run under Gill.

In February 2008, Warner Bros. announced that it would merge New Line Cinema into the parent studio. New Line's "independent" group Picturehouse was expected to be merged into Warner Independent as part of this process. On May 8, 2008, however, it was announced that both of these specialty divisions would be shut down. In 2013, Picturehouse was relaunched under separate ownership.

Films

Title Release Date Notes
Before Sunset July 2, 2004
A Home at the End of the World July 23, 2004
We Don't Live Here Anymore August 13, 2004
Criminal September 10, 2004
Around the Bend October 8, 2004
A Very Long Engagement December 17, 2004
The Jacket March 4, 2005
Eros April 8, 2005
March of the Penguins July 22, 2005 multiple award winner, including an Academy Award for Documentary Feature
Everything Is Illuminated September 16, 2005
Good Night, and Good Luck October 14, 2005 multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture (logo appeared in black and white)
Paradise Now October 28, 2005 Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World January 20, 2006
Duck Season March 10, 2006
The Promise May 5, 2006
A Scanner Darkly July 7, 2006
The Science of Sleep September 22, 2006 co-production with Gaumont, France 3 Cinéma and Canal+
Infamous October 13, 2006
For Your Consideration November 22, 2006 co-production with Castle Rock Entertainment and Shangri-La Entertainment
The Painted Veil January 19, 2007
The Astronaut Farmer February 23, 2007
Introducing the Dwights August 3, 2007 known as "Clubland" in Australia
The 11th Hour August 17, 2007
December Boys September 14, 2007
In the Valley of Elah September 28, 2007 co-production with Summit Entertainment
Rails & Ties October 26, 2007
Darfur Now November 2, 2007
Snow Angels March 7, 2008
Funny Games March 14, 2008 co-production with Tartan Films, Celluloid Dreams and FilmFour
Towelhead September 26, 2008
Slumdog Millionaire November 12, 2008 co-production with Pathé UK, Celador Films and FilmFour, which was sold to Fox Searchlight Pictures after Warner Independent closed. The main Warner Bros. studio logo, which is not the Independent one appears at the beginning of the film after the Fox Searchlight logo, and Warner retained distribution rights in some countries outside North America. However, Fox Searchlight is its distributor in North America, and FoxStar handles it in India, where the film is set. After Warner Independent closed, the film seemed destined to go straight to DVD before the deal with Fox Searchlight. Slumdog Millionaire would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

External links

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