Supernatural thriller Foreshadow will be the second Australian film this year which will be released on DVD and Video-On-Demand a few weeks after opening in cinemas.
Produced by Buzz Productions and Movierockets Entertainment and directed by Carmelo Musca, the film will debut at six Hoyts cinemas in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth on November 8. The Perth-shot film has its world premiere on Wednesday night at Hoyts Carousel in Perth.
In his feature debut ARIA winner Justin Burford plays Jesse Milton, a guy who is living the high life – money, surf and hot dates – until he discovers his latest girlfriend is dead. When the coroner rules out foul play and the police close their investigation, Jesse decides to go after the killer himself.
Movierockets CE0 Kris Lippert co-wrote the script with Burford. The cast includes Andrea Addison, Ben Mortley, Ben Purser, James Hagan, Melanie Lyons, Tawni Bryant and Sam Devenport.
Buzz Productions CEO Estelle Buzzard, who produced with Lippert, tells IF the film will be released on DVD and VoD before Christmas.
Odin’s Eye Entertainment's Michael Favelle has signed on to sell the film internationally and will distribute the title in ancillary markets in Oz via his output deal with Pinnacle Films.
“I am confident the release strategy will result in an uptick in DVD and digital sales without having any impact on the theatrical run,” Favelle tells IF. He will introduce the film to international buyers at the American Film Market next week.
Buzzard says, “I have known Michael for many years, through various films projects and festivals, so I am delighted to have his expertise on Foreshadow. While Michael concentrates on the sale side of the things, our team will continue to maximise publicity ahead of the film’s theatrical release.”
This is the second independent film to depart from the traditional 120-day window between cinema release and home entertainment. Producer Steve Jaggi self-distributed Matt Cerwen’s teen drama Circle of Lies, which began a staggered cinema roll-out in independent cinemas on August 22 and was released on DVD and VoD on September 18.
Jaggi told IF he was confident the short window after releasing the film in 11 cinemas would pay off in in DVD and VoD sales.