Annapurna Pictures

American independent film companyTemplate:SHORTDESC:American independent film company

* Film production
* Film distribution
* Television production
* Video game publisher
* Annapurna Interactive
* Annapurna Television
* Annapurna Theatre
* United Artists Releasing (50%)

**Annapurna Pictures** is an independent American media company founded by Megan Ellison in 2011. Annapurna specializes in film production, live theatre production, television through its **Annapurna Television** division, and video game publishing through its **Annapurna Interactive** division.

## History

Annapurna Pictures was founded in 2011 by Megan Ellison as a production and finance entity focusing on high-end auteur-driven cinema.

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.

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!!*.

On September 27, 2016, Annapurna launched a television production division, Annapurna Television, which is headed by former HBO executive Sue Naegle (with her label, Naegle Ink, now part of the division). In January 2017, it was reported that Annapurna Television would produce the Coen brothers' first TV project, *The Ballad of Buster Scruggs*.

In December 2016, the company announced its new division, Annapurna Interactive, to produce, develop, and distribute video games with several active projects in development, planned for release in 2017.

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. 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. On April 6, the company also announced an exclusive, multi-year output licensing agreement with Hulu.

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. It was also announced Annapurna would co-distribute *Brad's Status* through their MGM joint venture Mirror alongside Amazon Studios. In July, the company signed a multi-year U.S. home entertainment pact with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment to oversee its home releases.

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.

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 will support the MGM titles, which will be distributed under the MGM banner while Annapurna-produced films will continue to be distributed under its own banner. The two studios also launched **Mirror**, a releasing entity that will pursue theatrical opportunities for additional third-party films. However, this partnership will not be exclusive to all MGM films, as several of them will continue to be released through existing studio partners, such as Warner Bros. and Paramount. It also does not include newly relaunched Orion Pictures and future worldwide distributor plans for the *James Bond* franchise, which MGM announced on "a later date", May 24, 2018, to have been won by Universal Pictures.

In October 2018, Annapurna signed a music publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music, which will administer the studio's film and TV compositions and scores.

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 will be 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).

## Filmography

### As distributor

The company expects to release "approximately four to six films per year".

## Reception

Many 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* have failed to 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.

## Video games

Annapurna Interactive published its first video game *What Remains of Edith Finch* on April 25, 2017. *What Remains of Edith Finch* received "universal acclaim" on PC and "generally positive" reviews on PS4, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. The publisher has also provided funding and publication support for *The Artful Escape* by Beethoven & Dinosaur, *Ashen* by A44 and *Gorogoa* by Jason Roberts. Annapurna Interactive is also responsible for publishing Twelve Minutes, a point-and-click adventure game about a man stuck in a time-loop, released on August 19, 2021. As of November 2021, the game currently has a 6.1 user score on Metacritic.

## Theater

Annapurna Theatre produces plays and live shows on, and off-Broadway.

## References

1. ↑ As Annapurna Stumbles, Billionaire Larry Ellison Exerts Control (Oct 10, 2018).
2. ↑ Pierson, David (June 2016). Annapurna Pictures' Megan Ellison pays $40 million for five West Hollywood properties.
3. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 27, 2016). Annapurna Pictures Launches TV Division Headed By Former HBO Executive Sue Naegle.
4. ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (September 27, 2016). Megan Ellison's Annapurna Pictures Taps Sue Naegle to Head TV Division.
5. ↑ Spangler, Todd (December 1, 2016). Megan Ellison's Annapurna Pictures Launches Video-Game Division.
6. ↑ Kaufman, Anthony (2011-10-24). Annapurna's Ellison a patron of the auteur (en).
7. ↑ FRITZ, BEN (2012-05-18). Megan Ellison is energizing indie film world (en-US).
8. ↑ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (September 27, 2016). Annapurna Pictures Taps Sue Naegle to Head TV Division. *The Hollywood Reporter*.
9. ↑ Petski, Denise (January 10, 2017). Coen Brothers To Write & Direct First TV Project 'The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs'.
10. ↑ Verhoeven, Beatrice (December 1, 2016). Annapurna Pictures Launches Interactive Video Game Division.
11. ↑ Kay, Jeremy (December 1, 2016). Annapurna Interactive launches to produce, publish video games.
12. ↑ Busch, Anita (January 20, 2017). Annapurna Pictures, Part II: Distribution And Marketing Team In Place As Company Flexes Indie Studio Muscle.
13. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>McNary, Dave (2017-03-27). "Megan Ellison's Annapurna Partners With MGM for International Releases". *Variety*. Retrieved 2017-06-18.
14. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"MGM, Annapurna Pictures Ink Movie Distribution Deal". *The Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved 2017-06-18.
15. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Lodderhose, Diana (2017-03-27). "MGM & Annapurna Seal Multi-Year Movie Distribution Deal". *Deadline Hollywood*. Retrieved 2017-06-18.
16. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Spangler, Todd (2017-04-06). "Hulu Inks Annapurna Pictures Pay-One TV Window Movie Output Deal". *Variety*. Retrieved 2017-06-18.
17. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Hulu Lands Expansive Output Deal With Annapurna Pictures". *The Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved 2017-06-18.
18. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Busch, Anita (2017-04-06). "Annapurna Pictures Pacts With Hulu For Streaming Rights In Big, Multi-Year Deal". *Deadline Hollywood*. Retrieved 2017-06-18.
19. ↑ Ford, Rebecca (May 4, 2017). Brad Pitt's Plan B Inks Three-Year Deal With Annapurna. *The Hollywood Reporter*.
20. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (May 18, 2017). Amazon, Annapurna Partner To Release Mike White's 'Brad's Status' Into Theaters — Cannes.
21. ↑ Annapurna, 20th Century Fox Sign Multi-Year Home Entertainment Pact (Jul 11, 2017).
22. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Brooks Barnes (April 20, 2017). "Five Studios' Mission: Winning the Distribution Rights to James Bond". *The New York Times*. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
23. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Q3 2017 Financial Report" (PDF). MGM.com. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
24. ↑ News from California, the nation and world.
25. ↑ MGM, Annapurna Form U.S. Distribution Partnership (Oct 31, 2017).
26. ↑ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer And Annapurna Pictures Form Joint Venture To Distribute Films Theatrically In The U.S..
27. ↑ https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2017/10/31/mgm-taps-annapurna-to-distribute-its-movies.html
28. ↑ Geier, Thom (Oct 31, 2017). MGM Teams With Annapurna for Joint Distribution Deal.
29. ↑ Universal Wins James Bond International Distribution (24 May 2018).
30. ↑ Annapurna Pictures Announces Global Publishing Deal with Warner/Chappell Music - Warner Music Group Official Blog (en).
31. ↑ MGM, Annapurna Team for Distribution Label United Artists Releasing (en) (5 February 2019).
32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 Annapurna, MGM Joint Distribution Venture Rebrands as United Artists Releasing (Feb 5, 2019).
33. ↑ MGM, Annapurna Set Joint Venture To Theatrically Distribute Under United Artists Releasing Banner (Feb 5, 2019).
34. ↑ Berlin: So Much For Bad Blood Between Harvey And Megan Ellison; TWC Acquires Wong Kar Wai's 'The Grandmaster' (7 February 2013).
35. ↑ Patches, Matt (September 30, 2014). Megan Ellison's Annapurna to produce Richard Linklater's 'Dazed' spiritual Sequel, 'That's What I'm Talking About's. *HitFix*.
36. ↑ Seetoodeh, Ramin (January 26, 2016). Sundance: Amazon Lands Todd Solondz Comedy 'Wiener-Dog. *Variety*.
37. ↑ Siegel, Tatiana (September 24, 2013). Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg Sell Sony on Raunchy Animated Film 'Sausage Party'. *The Hollywood Reporter*.
38. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
39. ↑ 'Moonlight' Director Barry Jenkins Sets Next Movie (EXCLUSIVE) (10 July 2017).
40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana, Zach Galifianakis Starring in Animated Film From Laika (en) (April 25, 2018).
41. ↑ McNary, Dave (January 17, 2019). Cate Blanchett's 'Where'd You Go, Bernadette' Moved Back to August.
42. ↑ Hustlers.
43. ↑ Gooden, Tai. Here's All The New Huluween Content Coming In October (Exclusive).
44. ↑ Hammond, Pete (October 14, 2019). 'Bombshell' Explodes Into Oscar Race As Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman & Margot Robbie Unveil The Fox News Roger Ailes Story.
45. ↑ Miranda July's Next Movie Set Up At Plan B And Annapurna (15 March 2018).
46. ↑ 'Kajillionaire' Will Now Cash In This Fall At Theaters (29 August 2020).
47. ↑ 'She Said' Gets Release Date; Pic Based On Book About Harvey Weinstein Case Stars Carey Mulligan & Zoe Kazan (15 July 2021).
48. ↑ Tiffany Haddish To Star in Adaptation Of 'Landscape With Invisible Hand' For MGM And Plan B (4 January 2021).
49. ↑ MGM Ramps Up Theatrical Distribution & Pacts With Annapurna; Easy Set Up To Roll Out Next Bond Film (Oct 31, 2017).
50. ↑ McNary, Dave (May 18, 2017). Ben Stiller's 'Brad's Status' Gets Joint Distribution From Annapurna, Amazon.
51. ↑ Lincoln, Ross A. (October 7, 2016). Sony Nabs 'Professor Marston'; Biopic About Wonder Woman Creator Stars Luke Evans, Rebecca Hall & Bella Heathcote.
52. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 8, 2017). Annapurna To Release MGM's 'Death Wish' Over Thanksgiving; Sets October Date For 'Professor Marston & The Wonder Women'.
53. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Lang, Brent (2018-01-25). "Sundance: Annapurna Buys 'Sorry to Bother You'". *Variety*. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Annapurna Dates Films By Adam McKay, Babak Anvari & Sundance Acquisition 'Sorry To Bother You' (February 9, 2018).
55. ↑ Jacques Audiard's 'The Sisters Brothers' To Annapurna With Strong Group Of Acting Talent (May 19, 2017).
56. ↑ 'Moonlight' Director Barry Jenkins Sets Next Movie (EXCLUSIVE) (Jul 10, 2017).
57. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 4, 2017). Plan B Closes Overall Annapurna Deal; Brings Adam McKay's Dick Cheney Movie To Star Christian Bale.
58. ↑ Cannes All-Nighter: Annapurna Wins U.S. Rights To Nicole Kidman Crime-Thriller 'Destroyer' (May 14, 2018).
59. ↑ Kroll, Justin (February 16, 2018). Olivia Wilde Sets Directorial Debut 'Booksmart' With Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein to Star (EXCLUSIVE).
60. ↑ Annapurna Pictures Lands Jerrod Carmichael's Sundance Prize Winner 'On The Count Of Three'; Near $2M For NA Rights (February 12, 2021).
61. ↑ Zero Dark Thirty. *Box Office Mojo*. Internet Movie Database.
62. ↑ American Hustle. *Box Office Mojo*. Internet Movie Database.
63. ↑ What Remains of Edith Finch.
64. ↑ D'Anastasio, Cecilia (30 March 2017). A Musical Indie Game Starring A Teen With A Cosmic Guitar. *Kotaku*.
65. ↑ Twelve Minutes (en).
66. ↑ | Universal Pictures International and Entertainment One Announce New Feature Film Distribution Agreement in Australia and New Zealand.
67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 67.2 Dave (May 24, 2017). Megan Ellison's Annapurna Signs Distribution Deals for Japan, France, Italy.

## External links

* Official website
* Template:IMDb company

Template:Authority control