The six-film slate deal is focused on identifying diverse, first-time and up-and- coming writers/directors, representing a new low budget indie film model built on a unique co-financing model between Canvas, MVE and other investors
Canvas Media Studios CEO David Tochterman and MarVista Entertainment (MVE), a FOX Entertainment Company, today announced a six-film slate deal focused on identifying diverse, first-time and up-and- coming writers/directors, representing a new low budget indie film model built on a unique co-financing model between Canvas, MVE and other investors.
The agreement will involve fully financed completed titles with a pre-buy distribution commitment from MVE, which will oversee global distribution for all films produced under the partnership.
Canvas just wrapped production on its first film under the deal, Dont Let It In, written and directed by Jay Henric based on her short film. Dont Let It In is a genre thriller starring an entirely Native American lead cast, filmed with the cooperation of the Florida Seminole Tribe, and shot partially on the Big Cypress reservation in the Everglades. Tochterman is Executive Producer alongside Allen DeBevoise, Allison Vanore, Everett Osceola, Yann Henric and Jordan Barillas, David Massey, and Fernando Szew for MarVista. Jay Henric, Stephen Henric and Corey Moss are producers.
Said Canvas lead investor Allen DeBevoise (Third Wave Digital Fund), “Canvas is focusing on the creation of new premium video franchises from up-and-coming creators to provide for new programming brands for the highly competitive premium video market.”
Tochterman said, “By providing young filmmakers with financing and distribution, and bringing our production expertise, we want to empower diverse creative entrepreneurs. We are very excited that MarVista believes in our model, and with this partnership we have an opportunity to aggressively target both domestic and international distribution with completed films.”
“Canvas’ dedication to discovering, developing and producing films alongside the next generation of creators and storytellers is very much aligned with MarVista’s ongoing commitment to support filmmakers with unique voices and diverse perspectives,” said MarVista CEO, Fernando Szew. “We look forward to partnering further with David and the team at Canvas to deliver this premium content to our multiplatform partners worldwide.”
