BEREA, Ky. and FRANKFORT, Ky., Aug. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The executive team of This Field Looks Green To Me, a feature film project currently in production, has committed to sharing the profits of the film with Kentucky State University (KSU) and Berea College (BC).

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This film, set in a 1950s coal-mining town with Jim Crow laws still in effect, will engage people across generations by telling a true Appalachian story about kids, baseball, and the power of grassroots action in smalltown America. The film’s executive producer, Ron Schmidt, explained that KSU, a Historically Black University (HBCU) and BC, a Kentucky college that has been racially diverse since its inception, are ideal recipients for some of the film’s profits.

“Both schools provide both Black and white students from Kentucky, Appalachia, and beyond, tangible opportunities to live together and learn from each other in an educational context, and this aligns perfectly with our project,” he said.

Kentucky Exemplars
“Both schools recognize that creating and maintaining a racially diverse student body enhances learning for all students,” Schmidt added. Seventy-five percent of the students at BC come from low-income Kentuckian and Appalachian families. More than half of the student body at KSU are people of color.

As an example of this commitment from KSU and BC, Schmidt pointed to the recent formation of a new initiative, the Association for Teaching Black History, in partnership with the Muhammad Ali Center and the Thomas D. Clark Foundation. Schmidt has proposed that Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear recognize BC and KSU as state “Educational Exemplars” for their efforts to advance the best interests of all students in the state.

This Field Looks Green To Me
One of the central outcomes of the movie will be to engage community mentors in building positive relationships with disadvantaged kids over the course of time. The film is proceeding rapidly toward filming and production, with filming scheduled to begin in Middlesboro and Paducah, KY in 2024.

In addition to telling this powerful story of how community can affect grass-roots change, This Field Looks Green To Me will highlight the beauty of the Appalachian people and their multi-ethnic culture – its mountains and original music.

For information about the film please visit www.thisfieldlooksgreentome.com. To join the effort to recognize these educational exemplars, please contact Schmidt at [email protected] or 216-255-1892.

SOURCE This Field Looks Green To Me LLC

Los Angeles – Vision Films, a prominent independent sales, and VOD aggregator, has exciting news for rom-com enthusiasts. On September 12, 2023, they will release the Urban Rom-Com “Million To One,” directed by Harold Jackson III, across the United States and Canada. The film, an Official Selection of ABFF (American Black Film Festival) and MVAAFF (Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival), follows the story of a rising social media star who returns to his suburban home for his brother’s wedding and unexpectedly falls for a talented private chef.

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Starring notable actors such as Rob Gordon, Briana Cortesiano, Michael J. Patterson, Ashley Rios, and Donnie Brown Jr., “Million To One” promises to be a heartwarming and hilarious experience. Lise Romanoff, CEO and Managing Director of Vision Films describes it as a classic Rom-Com that will leave audiences rooting for the happy ending. Director Harold Jackson III adds that the film explores relatable familial bonds and combines humor, fun, and poignancy.

Following its TVOD release, “Million To One” will be available on major streaming and cable platforms, with a DVD release to follow. Vision Films, known for its expertise in licensing, marketing, and distributing a wide range of films, documentaries, and series, is excited to bring this captivating rom-com to audiences worldwide.

For more information, including the film’s trailer, visit the official website of Vision Films. https://visionfilms.net/domestic/

About Vision Films:
Vision Films is a leading independent sales and VOD aggregator, specializing in the distribution of over 800 feature films, documentaries, and series from renowned independent producers. Under the leadership of Lise Romanoff, Managing Director/CEO of Worldwide Distribution, Vision Films releases 2-4 films monthly across various platforms, including theatrical, VOD, DVD, and television. https://visionfilms.net/domestic

SOURCE Vision Films, Inc.

LOS ANGELES /PRNewswire/ — Cineverse Corp. (NASDAQ: CNVS), a global streaming technology and entertainment company with one of the world’s largest portfolios of streaming channels and content libraries, has entered into a new partnership with Maverick Entertainment Group, an independent channel in the US VOD/FAST space offering the best in Black indie cinema, to launch a new VOD channel – Maverick Black Cinema on its flagship streaming service. The deal is a direct reflection of Cineverse’s mission to be a curated streaming home for independent film and filmmakers.

Maverick’s popular content is highly distributed across key streaming platforms. In fact, the Maverick brand, whether its channel or VOD content, is showcased across many of the industry leaders in the space including Samsung TV Plus, Tivo, Pluto TV, Freevee, Sling, and Peacock.

The global channel is joining the Cineverse family of channels with an initial line-up of 100+ films and TV series including content from genres such as action, drama, romance, comedy, thriller and more. In keeping with Cineverse’s commitment to offering consumers high-quality content and depth of choice, additional titles will be added in the coming months.

Maverick Black Cinema will utilize Cineverse’s proprietary Matchpoint technology to provide content recommendations based on real-time feedback from viewers.

Select highlights of key/high-performing Maverick films that are part of the initial Cineverse line-up include crime thriller “Take Me To Amazing”, Action film “Two Wolves” starring Mykel Shannon Jenkins and Ernest Lee Thomas, Street thrillers “Murder Gardens” and “Candy”, and courtroom drama “The Lying Truth” starring Reggie Gaskins and Maya Gilbert-Dunbar.

The Maverick deal represents the latest partnership to bring quality third-party content to Cineverse’s flagship platform. The company already provides viewers with a wide range of free, ad-supported, streaming television (FAST) and curated video-on-demand (VOD) channels including Gusto, Qwest TV, SHOUT! TV, The Carol Burnett Show, Johnny Carson TV, and Mystery Science Theater 3000, just to name a few.

ABOUT MAVERICK ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Privately held Maverick Entertainment Group has a reputation for consistently releasing niche genre films that major studios often overlook. Founded in 1997, Maverick continues to be a leading distributor and producer of niche independent and Black Cinema content. Having released more than 1,300 films over the past 26 years, Maverick currently distributes the world’s largest library of feature-length Black Cinema. In addition to funding and producing originals, Maverick releases over 100+ movies a year and distributes them digitally and physically worldwide.

Maverick’s far-reaching and boutique distribution is due to direct relationships with digital platforms and retailers including Roku, Tubi, Samsung, Peacock, LG, Vizio, Vudu-Fandango, and many more. Maverick connects with its consumer base through streaming apps, channels, and networks, as well as DVD and Video-on-Demand.

Maverick supports independent film producers by providing a pipeline of content that streams from filmmakers to movie watchers. Likewise, Maverick accommodates consumers with a consistent flow of the genre films they wish to view. By maintaining an exemplary reputation within the film and business communities, as well as establishing direct relations with content creators and media providers, Maverick positions itself as a leader within the home entertainment industry.

Doug Schwab founded Maverick and continues to oversee the company. He and his team of key personnel have forged the cornerstone of the company’s growth into the future.

ABOUT CINEVERSE
Cineverse (NASDAQ: CNVS) is a global streaming technology and entertainment company with one of the world’s largest portfolios of owned and operated streaming channels, all powered by its advanced, proprietary technology platform. Cineverse currently features enthusiast brands for subscription video on demand (SVOD), advertising-based video on demand (AVOD) and free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels. Cineverse entertains consumers around the globe by providing premium feature film and television series, enthusiast streaming channels and technology services to some of the world’s largest media, retail and technology companies. For more information, please visit www.cineverse.com.

SOURCE Cineverse Corp.