Hopscotch has signed a multiyear agreement to distribute films produced by American independent Lakeshore Entertainment in Australia and New Zealand.
Entertainment One, which acquired Hopscotch for $20 million in April, has had a distribution deal with Lakeshore for Canada since 2007.
Hopscotch will now release up to four Lakeshore films each year in Australia with Gone, starring Amanda Seyfried and Wes Bentley, the first to be released next February.
Hopscotch managing director Troy Lum said he was thrilled to join forces with Tom Rosenberg, Eric Reid, Gary Lucchesi and the Lakeshore team.
“Lakeshore consistently produces highly-commercial product and we’re pleased to be their chosen partner to service it to the Australian and New Zealand marketplace,” he said in a statement.
Lakeshore was founded in 1994 and has released films including 2004 Academy Award Best Picture-winner Million Dollar Baby (distributed by Roadshow in Australia), Runaway Bride (Disney), The Mothman Prophecies (CTS), The Ugly Truth (Sony), and The Lincoln Lawyer (Roadshow).
Lakeshore chairman and chief executive, Tom Rosenberg, said the production house is proud to stand alongside eOne as its business moves into new territories.
“It is very rewarding to have our quality film production partner Lakeshore immediately follow us into the Australia/New Zealand market. As we continue to expand our global film distribution business, we also continue to expand our existing relationships,” he said in a statement.
Troy Lum.