Amazon taps Ted Hope for film move

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Amazon Studios has hired veteran indie producer Ted Hope to head its push into the production and acquisition of movies for theatrical release and distribution on Amazon Prime Instant Video.

The new division’s films will premiere on Prime Instant Video in the US just four to eight weeks after their theatrical debut, breaking the traditional window of 39 to 52 weeks. Hope, who has been appointed head of production for Amazon Original Movies, recently stepped down as CEO of streaming site Fandor.

Amazon has previously focused on producing TV content such as Golden Globe-winning series Transparent, Whit Stillman’s The Cosmopolitans, Marc Forster’s World War Z and children’s series Tumble Leaf and Creative Galaxy.

“We look forward to expanding our production efforts into feature films. Our goal is to create close to twelve movies a year with production starting later this year,” said Amazon Studios’ vice president Roy Price.

Hope said: “Audiences already recognise that Amazon has raised the bar with productions in the episodic realm, tackling bold material in unique ways and collaborating with top talent, both established and emerging.

“To help carry the torch into the feature film world for such an innovative company is a tremendous opportunity and responsibility.”

Hope co-founded production company Good Machine, which produced Ang Lee’s Eat Drink Man Woman and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. His credits also include American Splendor, The Brothers McMullen and What Happened Was.