Lionsgate and Televisa Launch Pantelion

By Laura Martínez, New York

Mexico’s media titan Grupo Televisa today announced a partnership with independent film studio Lionsgate to launch Pantelion, a Latino-focused venture scheduled to release 8 to 10 films a year targeting the fast-growing Hispanic moviegoing crowd. Several years in the making, the new venture will be led by Paul Presburger, acting as CEO, and Jim McNamara, chairman of cable movie channel Cine Latino and former head of Telemundo, as Chairman.

The announcement was made on Tuesday at the 57 Screening Room in midtown Manhattan by Lionsgate Co-Chairman and CEO Jon Feltheimer and Grupo Televisa Chairman and CEO Emilio Azcárraga, who flew in just for the occasion. Hailed as the first “Hollywood Hispanic studio,” Pantelion has one simple goal in mind: to reach the estimated 26 million U.S. Hispanics who represent more than 25 percent of frequent moviegoers, and are considered the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. moviegoer population. “We believe Hispanics are the most underserved group when it comes to movies that speak directly to them,” said Feltheimer, who prior to joining Lionsgate was a top executive at Sony Pictures, leading the Columbia Tri-Star Television Group.

The idea behind Pantelion is by no means new. Many other companies have attempted something similar in the past. But the new venture’s advantage lies in the power of marketing and distribution expected behind each theatrical release: In addition to using the marketing prowess of Lionsgate, Pantelion has enlisted AMC as distribution partner. “If there is a Pantelion Film, we’ll show it,” said Gerry Lopez, CEO and President of AMC Theaters who also attended the conference. Also expressing their commitment to the new offerings are Cinemark and Regal Entertainment, major players in the movie exhibition business.

The first film to be released under the new venture is From Prada to Nada, a Latino spin on Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, in which two spoiled sisters who have been left penniless after their father’s sudden death are forced to move in with their estranged aunt in East Los Angeles. Release date is January 28, 2011.

Directed by Fina Torres, From Prada to Nada (pictured) stars Wilmer Valderrama, Camilla Belle, Alexa Vega, Kuno Becker and Adriana Barraza.