NEW YORK -- Feb 07 2005 -- Emerging Pictures announced today that it will launch its Digital Cinema Network with an investment by Los Angeles-based Participant Productions. This digital cinema initiative will establish a nationwide network for the distribution and exhibition of specialty films in such venues as prestigious museums, performing arts centers, science & technology institutions, and restored movie palaces. These venues will screen independent and international films, both dramatic and nonfiction, as well as alternate content such as film festivals, dramatic performances, concerts, and other mission-appropriate programming.

Participant Productions, founded in 2004 by eBay pioneer and philanthropist, Jeff Skoll, focuses on socially relevant, commercially viable feature films and documentaries. Coincident with the investment, Participant Productions and Emerging Pictures have formed a content-based distribution relationship which will expand the reach of Participant Production’s projects.

Emerging Pictures’ founders, Ira Deutchman, Giovanni Cozzi, and Barry Rebo stated "we’re extremely pleased to have the support of Jeff Skoll and we share Participant’s goal of facilitating the creation of socially responsible media. We are excited by the prospect of providing these types of films as well as others to audiences who have affinity for a quality cinema experience."

"Ira, Giovanni and Barry have created a new way to bring quality films to under-served theatrical viewers," said Skoll. "We applaud their vision of an alternative distribution channel that leverages existing community venues and provides new opportunities for filmmakers to reach willing audiences."

As part of its roll-out Emerging Pictures will partner with the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival this April 7-10 to syndicate the event in real-time into more than a dozen additional cities. Roll-out programming will also include presentations in association with broadcasters PBS, National Geographic Television & Film, Japan’s NHK and others, including the recent eight city pilot release of Ken Burn’s "Unforgivable Blackness – The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson," for PBS.

Participant recently signed a two-picture deal with Warner Bros. on "Syriana" (writer/director: Stephen Gaghan; cast: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Peet), which is currently in production, and "Class Action" (director: Niki Caro; cast: Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand), which is expected to shoot in early 2005. Additional Participant projects include IFC Films’ "American Gun," starring Donald Sutherland, Forest Whitaker and Marcia Gay Harden, an ensemble piece about gun proliferation in America, and The World According to Sesame Street, a feature-length documentary that explores the drama and complexities behind producing international versions of the world’s most-watched children’s television program.