Announces Acquisition of “Visioneers”

Austin, TX (April 13, 2009) – In keeping with its mission to creatively and profitably distribute independent films, B-Side Entertainment and Home Video/DVD distributor Virgil Films & Entertainment have entered into an exclusive partnership for the release of B-Side’s films on DVD. B-Side has also announced the acquisition of its first feature film, “Visioneers,” starring Zach Galifianakis.

B-Side Entertainment offers filmmakers a viable alternative to the highly expensive and nearly impossible world of independent distribution. Through innovative niche marketing and insight gleaned from festival audience data, B-Side has turned the industry’s model upside down to generate significant ancillary revenues at a fraction of the normal cost.

Virgil Films & Entertainment distributes DVD product in the theatrical feature film, documentary, special interest, and sports categories through partnerships with Sundance Channel Home Entertainment, ESPN, MLB Productions, and TV Guide, among others.

“Virgil and its president Joe Amodei are known for being smart, innovative and filmmaker friendly. Joe’s track-record of success – particularly in the documentary category – is unparalleled. We’re excited to work with Virgil to find new ways of achieving results in the tough DVD business,” said Chris Hyams, Founder and CEO of B-Side.

“B-Side offers a new exciting alternative to the age-old theatrical release of independent product we have lived with for some time now. It gives films a chance of being seen, something that is almost impossible to accomplish given the economic realities of today,” said Joe Amodei, President of Virgil Films & Entertainment. “In our business it is all about how many eyes get to view a film and B-Side increases those numbers dramatically. The extra exposure these films receive will help our DVD sales and rentals.”

In addition, the company announced the acquisition of its first feature film, “Visioneers,” directed by Jared Drake, written by Brandon Drake, and starring comedian Zach Galifianakis. “Visioneers” is a one-of-a-kind dark comedy set in a futuristic society in which citizens are known to spontaneously combust from stress, and dreams are a thing of the past. At the heart of the story is George Washington Winsterhammerman (Galifianakis), a mid-level manager at the Jeffers Corporation who starts to reevaluate his mundane existence and decides to take matters into his own hands. D.W. Moffett, Judy Greer, Missi Pyle, and James LeGros co-star in this 1984 meets Office Space social satire. The film premiered at the 2008 Seattle International Film Festival and went on to play such festivals as CineVegas and AFI.

The acquisition is the second this year for the Austin-based distributor which plans to acquire, market and distribute ten films in 2009.

About B-Side Entertainment
Founded in 2005, B-Side Entertainment (www.bside.com) uses proprietary technology to capture audience opinions and discover great films. Through its Festival Audience Network – a portfolio of over 250 International Film Festival websites and 4 million audience members – B-Side has the ability to market and exhibit films globally, using theatrical and non-theatrical venues, and through partnerships with digital and television distributors. By combining innovative marketing plans with proprietary data on potential audiences, B-Side and its distribution partners generate significant ancillary revenues at a fraction of the normal cost. B-Side is headquartered in Austin, TX.

Virgil Films & Entertainment
Virgil Films & Entertainment, formerly Arts Alliance America, was founded in 2003 as Hart Sharp Video by Joe Amodei to develop, acquire, market and distribute DVD product in the theatrical feature film, documentaries, special interest and sports categories. The company has built partnerships with Sundance Channel Home Entertainment, ESPN, MLB Productions, Bombo Sports and Entertainment, TV Guide and NESN and other high profile entertainment brands since their inception. Upcoming releases from Virgil Films & Entertainment include The Caller, starring Academy Award nominee Frank Langella; the second season of the legendary The Donna Reed Show and the cult-classic children’s series The Mysterious Cities of Gold.