Annapurna Pictures

Annapurna Pictures is an American independent media company founded by Megan Ellison on April 2, 2011 and based in Los Angeles, California.[2] It is active in film, television[3][4] and theatrical production, film distribution, and video game publishing.[5]
== History[edit] ==
Annapurna Pictures was founded in 2011 by Megan Ellison as a production and finance entity focusing on high-end auteur-driven cinema.[6]
After attending University of Southern California’s film school for two semesters, Ellison left in 2005 and traveled the world. Among her stops was Nepal, where she trekked on the Himalayan mountain Annapurna, for which her production company is named.[7]
By 2014 Annapurna had produced and/or financed the films Lawless, The Master, Killing Them Softly, Zero Dark Thirty, Spring Breakers, The Grandmaster, Her, Foxcatcher, and American Hustle, and was starting production on Joy, Sausage Party, Wiener-Dog, 20th Century Women, and Everybody Wants Some!!.
In December 2016, the company announced its new division, Annapurna Interactive, to produce, develop, and distribute video games. Annapurna Interactive has become a major publisher of independently made games.[8][9]
In January 2017, the company announced they would begin distributing films, with their first being Detroit directed by Kathryn Bigelow, set for release on August 4, 2017.[10] They later signed a multi-year distribution deal with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on March 27, in which MGM will distribute all of Annapurna's films in select international territories.[11][12][13] On April 6, the company also announced an exclusive, multi-year output licensing agreement with Hulu.[14][15][16]
In May 2017, Plan B Entertainment and Annapurna announced a three-year production deal to partner on at least three films a year, with Annapurna handling distribution and marketing. As part of the deal, Annapurna received the rights to Adam McKay's film Vice starring Christian Bale as Dick Cheney.[17] It was also announced Annapurna would co-distribute Brad's Status through their MGM joint venture Mirror alongside Amazon Studios.[18] In July, the company signed a multi-year U.S. home entertainment pact with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment to oversee its home releases.[19]
Since Sony Pictures' contract to co-produce the James Bond series with MGM and Eon Productions expired with the release of Spectre, Annapurna, along with five major studios – Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures and Sony itself – vied to win the rights to the next film as of April 2017. It was then announced that MGM had secured the domestic, digital and worldwide television rights to the film. Universal was announced as the international distributor of the film and holder of the rights for physical home entertainment distribution.[20]
In October 2017, Annapurna and MGM announced the formation of a U.S. distribution joint venture in which each studio would release their films individually. This marked a return to domestic theatrical distribution for MGM and an expansion of Annapurna's distribution division, with MGM releasing approximately six to eight films per year on a limited basis and Annapurna releasing four to six films per year, in a combined slate of fourteen films. While the two companies are sharing costs for the joint venture's operations, Annapurna's distribution and marketing teams supported the MGM titles, which were distributed under the MGM banner while Annapurna-produced films continued to be distributed under its own banner. The two studios also launched Mirror, a releasing entity that pursues theatrical opportunities for additional third-party films. However, this partnership is not exclusive to all MGM films, as several of them continued to be released through existing studio partners, such as Warner Bros. and Paramount. The newly relaunched Orion Pictures and future worldwide distributor plans for the James Bond franchise, are also not included, which MGM announced on "a later date", May 24, 2018, to have been won by Universal Pictures.[21][22][23][24][25]
In October 2018, Annapurna signed a music publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music, which administered the studio's film and TV compositions and scores.[26]
In February 2019, Annapurna and MGM rebranded and expanded their U.S. distribution joint venture to release both MGM and Annapurna films under United Artists Releasing, with the distribution teams of Annapurna and Orion Pictures (whose films are added as well) joining the venture and former Screen Gems executive Pam Kunath joining as COO in addition to the heads of MGM and Annapurna joining the board of directors. The decision was made to coincide with the United Artists brand's 100th anniversary, and has plans to release 10–14 films a year through the new label, including the domestic release of No Time to Die (which marks a reunion between the UA brand and the James Bond franchise after two decades).[27][28][29]
In December 2022, Annapurna launched its animation division lead by former Blue Sky Studios Robert Baird and Andrew Millstein. Nimona was its first release.[30]
On March 4, 2023, it was revealed by The Hollywood Reporter that Amazon had shut down the operations of United Artists Releasing and folded it into MGM.[31]
== Filmography[edit] ==
=== As production company[edit] ===
Year	Film title 	Notes
2011	Passion Play 	distributed by Image Entertainment
2011	Waking Madison 	distributed by Entertainment One
2011	Main Street 	distributed by Magnolia Pictures
2011	Catch .44 	distributed by Anchor Bay Films
2012	Lawless 	co-production with The Weinstein Company, FilmNation Entertainment, Benaroya Pictures, and Red Wagon Entertainment
2012	The Master 	co-production with The Weinstein Company, JoAnne Sellar Productions, and Ghoulardi Film Company
Nominated - Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Picture
Nominated - Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Feature
2012	Killing Them Softly 	co-production with Plan B Entertainment, Chockstone Pictures, 1984 Private Defense Contractors, and Inferno Entertainment; distributed by The Weinstein Company
2012	Zero Dark Thirty 	co-production with Columbia Pictures and First Light Productions
National Board of Review Award for Best Film
National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
Nominated - AACTA Award for Best International Film
Nominated - Academy Award for Best Picture
Nominated - BAFTA Award for Best Film
Nominated - Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Picture
Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama
Nominated - Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture
Nominated - Satellite Award for Best Film
2013	Spring Breakers 	co-production with Hero Entertainment and Muse Productions; distributed by A24
Nominated - Venice Film Festival for Golden Lion
2013	The Grandmaster 	co-production with Block 2 Pictures, Jet Tone Films, Sil-Metropole Organization, and Bona International Film Group; distributed by The Weinstein Company[32]
Hong Kong Film Award for Best Film
Hong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Best Film
Nominated - Golden Horse Award for Best Feature Film
2013	Her 	co-production with Warner Bros. Pictures
National Board of Review Award for Best Film
National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film
Nominated - Academy Award for Best Picture
Nominated - Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Picture
Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Nominated - Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture
2013	American Hustle 	co-production with Columbia Pictures and Atlas Entertainment
Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Nominated - AACTA Award for Best International Film
Nominated - Academy Award for Best Picture
Nominated - BAFTA Award for Best Film
Nominated - Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Picture
Nominated - MTV Movie Award for Movie of the Year
Nominated - Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture
Nominated - Satellite Award for Best Motion Picture
Nominated - Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie – Drama
2014	Foxcatcher 	co-production with Sony Pictures Classics and Likely Story
Nominated - Cannes Film Festival for Palme d'Or
Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama
Nominated - Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture
2015	Terminator Genisys 	co-production with Skydance Media; distributed by Paramount Pictures
2015	Joy 	co-production with 20th Century Fox and Davis Entertainment
Nominated - Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Comedy
Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
2015	The Click Effect 	co-production with Vrse
2016	Everybody Wants Some!! 	co-production with Paramount Pictures[33]
Nominated - Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Feature
2016	Wiener-Dog 	co-production with Killer Films; distributed by Amazon Studios and IFC Films[34]
2016	Sausage Party 	co-production with Columbia Pictures, Point Grey Pictures, and Nitrogen Studios[35]
2016	20th Century Women 	produced by; distributed by A24
Nominated - Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble
Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
2017	The Bad Batch 	co-production with VICE Films and Human Stew Factory; distributed by Neon
Venice Film Festival for Special Jury Prize
2017	Detroit 	co-production with First Light Productions and Page 1
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
Nominated - NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture
2017	Professor Marston and the Wonder Women	co-production with Topple Productions and Boxspring; distributed by Stage 6 Films
2017	Phantom Thread 	co-production with Focus Features and Ghoulardi Film Company
National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
Nominated - Academy Award for Best Picture
2018	Sorry to Bother You 	co-production with Significant Productions, MNM Creative, MACRO, Cinereach, and The Space Program
2018	Destroyer 	co-production with 30West and Automatik
2018	The Sisters Brothers 	co-production with Michael De Luca Productions, Why Not Productions, Page 114 Productions, and Apache Films[36]
Nominated - César Award for Best Film
Nominated - Venice Film Festival for Golden Lion
2018	If Beale Street Could Talk 	co-production with Plan B Entertainment and Pastel Productions[37]
Independent Spirit Award for Best Film
National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
Satellite Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama
Nominated - Black Reel Award for Outstanding Film
Nominated - Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Picture
Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama
Nominated - Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Feature
Nominated - NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture
2018	The Ballad of Buster Scruggs 	co-production with Netflix and Mike Zoss Productions
2018	Vice 	co-production with Plan B Entertainment and Gary Sanchez Productions
Nominated - AACTA Award for Best International Film
Nominated - Academy Award for Best Picture
Nominated - Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Picture
Nominated - Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble
Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Nominated - Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture
2019	Missing Link 	co-production with Laika[38]
Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film
Nominated - Academy Award for Best Animated Feature
Nominated - Annie Award for Best Animated Feature
Nominated - Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Animated Feature
Nominated - Producers Guild of America Award for Best Animated Motion Picture
2019	Booksmart 	co-production with Gloria Sanchez Productions
GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Wide Release
Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature
2019	Where'd You Go, Bernadette 	co-production with Color Force[39]
2019	Hustlers 	credit only; produced by Gloria Sanchez Productions, Nuyorican Productions and STX Entertainment[40]
Nominated - Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Feature
Nominated - Satellite Awards for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
2019	Wounds 	produced by Two & Two Pictures and AZA Film; distributed by Hulu[41]
2019	Bombshell 	credit only; produced by Bron Studios, Denver and Delilah Productions, Lighthouse Media & Management, Creative Wealth Media; distributed by Lionsgate[42]
Nominated - GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Wide Release
Nominated - Satellite Awards for Best Motion Picture – Drama
2020	Kajillionaire 	co-production with Plan B Entertainment;[43] distributed by Focus Features[44]
2022	On the Count of Three 	co-production with Orion Pictures, Valparaiso Pictures, Werner Entertainment, and Morningside Entertainment
2022	She Said 	co-production with Plan B Entertainment; distributed by Universal Pictures[45]
2023	Nimona 	an Annapurna Animation film; co-production with Vertigo Entertainment and DNEG Animation; distributed by Netflix; first Annapurna Animation film[46]
Nominated - Academy Award for Best Animated Feature
2023	Landscape with Invisible Hand 	co-production with Plan B Entertainment; distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer[47]
2024	Nightbitch 	co-production with Searchlight Pictures, Bond Group Management, Archer Grey, and Defiant by Nature; distributed by Searchlight Pictures[48]
TBA 	Not Fade Away 	co-production with Sunday Night Productions[49]
TBA 	The Echo Wife[50] 	Currently in production
=== As distributor[edit] ===
The company expects to release "approximately four to six films per year".[51]
Release date 	Film title 	Notes
August 4, 2017 	Detroit 	
September 15, 2017	Brad's Status 	Co-distribution with Amazon Studios[52]
October 13, 2017 	Professor Marston and the Wonder Women	Co-distribution with Stage 6 Films[53][54]
July 6, 2018 	Sorry to Bother You 	[55][56]
September 21, 2018	The Sisters Brothers 	[57]
December 14, 2018 	If Beale Street Could Talk 	[58]
December 25, 2018 	Vice 	[59][56]
December 25, 2018 	Destroyer 	[60]
April 12, 2019 	Missing Link[38] 	US distribution through United Artists Releasing[28]
May 24, 2019 	Booksmart[61] 	US distribution through United Artists Releasing[28]
August 16, 2019 	Where'd You Go, Bernadette 	US distribution through United Artists Releasing[28]
May 13, 2022 	On the Count of Three 	US co-distribution with Orion Pictures through United Artists Releasing[62]
== Reception[edit] ==
Some of the films produced by the company have received widespread critical acclaim. In 2013 alone, Her, American Hustle and The Grandmaster had a combined seventeen Academy Award nominations. Commercially, results have been mixed. Some films like The Master, Foxcatcher, Joy, Detroit and Vice, however, do not return their budget while ones such as Zero Dark Thirty, Sausage Party and American Hustle have grossed more than $100 million, the latter grossing more than $250 million worldwide.[63][64]
== Annapurna Animation[edit] ==
Annapurna Animation, LLC
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Annapurna_Animation_logo.jpg/220px-Annapurna_Animation_logo.jpg	https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Annapurna_Animation_logo.jpg/220px-Annapurna_Animation_logo.jpg
Company type 	Division
Industry 	Animation
Motion pictures
Founded 	December 1, 2022; 18 months ago
Founders 	Robert L. Baird
Andrew Millstein
Headquarters 	High Ridge Road, North Stamford, Connecticut[65]
, 
U.S.
Services 	Animation production
Animated films
Number of employees 	11[66] (2024)
Parent 	Annapurna Pictures
Annapurna Animation is an American animation studio and division of Annapurna Pictures, founded by former Blue Sky Studios executives Robert L. Baird and Andrew Millstein on December 1, 2022 and based in North Stamford, Connecticut. The studio's first film Nimona was released on June 30, 2023 on Netflix.
=== Filmography[edit] ===
==== Released[edit] ====
Release date 	Film 	Director(s)	Co-production 	Animation services	Distribution
June 30, 2023	Nimona	Nick Bruno
Troy Quane	Vertigo Entertainment	DNEG Animation 	Netflix
Category:Annapurna Pictures films
Category:Film production companies of the United States
Category:Film distributors of the United States
Category:Companies based in Los Angeles
Category:Mass media companies established in 2011
Category:2011 establishments in California
Category:American companies established in 2011
Category:American independent film studios