(Cannes, France) Hannover House, Inc. (OTC: HHSE) a leading independent producer and distributor of feature films and video programming, acquired the North American distribution rights to Susannah O’Brien’s supernatural thriller, "Encounter" at the Cannes Film Festival last month. The film is slated for a theatrical release by Hannover House into top U.S. markets, launching on September 11, 2015 under a pact that was announced today by Fred Shefte of Hannover House and John Rogers of XVIII Entertainment, LLC.
Hannover House, Inc. was formed in1993 as a book publisher, and expanded into films and DVD in 2002. The Company has grown into an internationally recognized publishing brand and film distribution house, with successful release activities into the theatrical, home video, television, streaming and international markets, along with its ongoing activities in book publishing.
"Encounter" is an intense and suspenseful sci-fi thriller about a paranormal investigation that goes horribly awry. Hannover House plans to release the film into 10 or more key theatrical markets in September, with a home video and streaming window set for January, 2016. The agreement was made at the Cannes Festival late last month, and is one of several titles that Hannover House licensed for North American release from XVIII Entertainment, LLC.
"We have had consistent success in the home video market for science fiction and horror themed titles," said Shefte. "Our upcoming theatrical release of ‘Dark Awakening’ to theatres nationwide has shown us that the key exhibition chains are receptive to independent films such as ‘Encounter’ and will provide us the opportunity to test the market’s reaction at the theatrical level. This is a very positive development, because we have found that even limited theatrical release support can greatly enhance a title's consumer awareness and ancillary values," he concluded.
"Encounter" was written, produced and directed by first time filmmaker, Susannah O'Brien, who is already well established in the industry for related skills from 2nd unit direction to casting. O'Brien was assisted in the directing of the film by James Bowling. The film tells the story of a pair of newlyweds who move into an old far house. The husband (Justin Arnold) convinces his wife (Andrea Nelson) to ignore an otherwise creepy landlord (Don Scribner) and to let him complete his research into supernatural orbs that have been reported in the area. But it’s not long before they discover a dark and terrible secret that threatens their very sanity and their lives.
Hannover House plans to consult with the producers and XVIII Entertainment regarding a possible new title for the film, to avoid market confusion with similarly-titled releases.
Key theatre chains in the United States and Canada that exhibit feature films from Hannover House include (listed alphabetically): AMC Theatres, Bow Tie Cinemas, Carmike, Cinemark-Century, Cineplex-Odeon, Harkins, Malco, Marcus, Metropolitan, National Amusements, Pacific Theatres, Regal Entertainment Group, Santikos and Wehrenberg Theatres. Key mass merchants and home video purchasers of products from Hannover House and Medallion Releasing include (listed alphabetically): AAFES, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Eurpac, Family Video, Hastings, Netflix, Redbox, Target Stores and Walmart-Sams Clubs.
Hannover House, Inc. was formed in1993 as a book publisher, and expanded into films and DVD in 2002. The Company has grown into an internationally recognized publishing brand and film distribution house, with successful release activities into the theatrical, home video, television, streaming and international markets, along with its ongoing activities in book publishing.
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