Filmrise Raises $25 Million in Acquisitions Funds

By: Caryn Robbins Oct. 28, 2015

FilmRise announced today that it has raised a cumulative total of $25 million to finance the acquisition and licensing of film and TV titles for all distribution channels, with a focus on web, mobile and emerging digital platforms. The Brooklyn-based film and TV distributor, which saw remarkable growth in the last year and is now one of the leading independent distributors to digital media platforms, has partnered with private investment firm Harlan Capital Partners LLC as it accelerates its acquisition of licenses and content to further enhance its industry footprint.

FilmRise's recent signature acquisitions include "Janis: Little Girl Blue," from Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Amy Berg and Oscar®-winning producer Alex Gibney; the Cannes-selected documentary "Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans"; and the highest-grossing film in Chinese box office history, "Monster Hunt." Other titles include the multiple Emmy®-winning "Going Clear," as well as the extensive libraries of genre studio Troma Entertainment (the "Toxic Avenger" series) and LGBT-themed distributor Water Bearer Films (the films of Pier Paolo Pasolini).

Harlan Capital, a New York-based investment firm founded by Josh Harlan that focuses on intellectual property and other types of uncorrelated investments, joins FilmRise's funds as lead investor.

"With deep industry knowledge and experience, Harlan Capital understands how FilmRise's web-focused DNA has positioned the company to thrive across the new landscape of digital distribution," said FilmRise CEO Danny Fisher. "They are bringing best practices and great resources to the table and we are looking forward to working closely with Josh and his team for years to come."
"Danny Fisher and FilmRise are doing groundbreaking work in a very dynamic, fast-changing industry that is quickly transforming into a digital-based environment," said Josh Harlan, Founder and Managing Partner of Harlan Capital. "FilmRise's track record is impressive and speaks for itself - we are excited to partner with the company and help it grow into an innovative, new-era digital distribution powerhouse."

ABOUT FILMRISE: FilmRise is a film and TV distribution company founded by veteran producer/financiers Danny Fisher, Jack Fisher and Alan Klingenstein. With over 6,000 titles in a wide range of genres, the company's recent film acquisitions and releases include HBO's multiple Emmy®-winning "Going Clear," the "Toxic Avenger" series, the hit documentary "Back in Time," the Global Lens Collection and Slamdance Audience-award winner "Hank and Asha." Television titles include hit series such as Showtime's Emmy®-winning "Years of Living Dangerously," and the longest running true crime show on television, "Forensic Files." Titles are in release digitally on Amazon Prime, iTunes, Netflix Instant Watch, Hulu, VUDU, Xbox, Sony PlayStation, Crackle, Fandor and other platforms, and on DVD and BluRay on Amazon and over 200 online retailers, including Walmart and Barnes & Noble. FilmRise's most recent acquisitions are the 2015 Cannes Classics selection "Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans"; the highest grossing film in China's history, "Monster Hunt"; and "Janis: Little Girl Blue," from Oscar®-winning producer Alex Gibney and Oscar®-nominated director Amy Berg. For more information go to: www.FilmRise.com

ABOUT HARLAN CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC: Harlan Capital Partners LLC, founded by Josh Harlan, is a New York-based private investment firm specializing in niche and emerging asset classes and strategies with low correlation to mainstream markets. Prior to forming Harlan Capital, Josh Harlan was an investment banker at Allen & Company, where he focused on media and technology companies. For more information go to: www.harlancapital.com