London / New York / Toronto – Independent web and mobile video content platform Babelgum and iThentic, the online and mobile video producer and distributor, today announced a partnership to co-present high-quality, independently produced content in two channels available for free streaming. The partnership brings an iThentic-curated selection of shorts (Best Of iThentic) and original Web series/mobisodes (iThentic Originals) to a global audience via Babelgum’s integrated online and mobile platforms.
The titles to be featured in the new channels include an eclectic collection of short films and multi-episode original series such as Office Pranks, Green Minutes, Today on Earth, and World of Bruce McCall.
“iThentic prides itself on finding and aggregating the very best digital content on the Web and has long admired the creative efforts Babelgum has made in promoting the work of independent filmmakers,” said Catherine Tait, Chair and Co-founder of iThentic . “iThentic’s branded channels on Babelgum will allow our most talented producers to find a new international audience, while highlighting our ongoing commitment to helping consumers find what’s worth watching amid the web’s often undifferentiated video clutter. We’re looking forward to working closely with the Babelgum team on this exciting initiative — it’s a perfect fit.”
Karol Martesko-Fenster, SVP & General Manager of Babelgum’s Film Division, stated, “We are thrilled to be launching and co-presenting these new channels on our platforms. I’ve been consistently impressed by the curatorial efforts of our good friends at iThentic, who’ve become a tastemaker destination for film-curious online and mobile audiences. Helping video consumers around the world find genuinely original short films and professionally produced Web series is a mission that we share in common.”
About iThentic (www.ithentic.com)
iThentic aggregates, produces and distributes original, high-quality, independently produced video content on the web and to mobile devices. iThentic is a tastemaker destination for the best independently produced video content for digital and wireless platforms – and is a growing production engine for innovative content for the Internet. iThentic is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, and operated by Smiley Guy Studios. Its shareholders include E1 Entertainment, Smiley Guy Studios and iThentic LLC founded by independent film veterans Catherine Tait, Al Cattabiani, and Liz Manne.
About Babelgum (www.babelgum.com)
Babelgum is an integrated web and mobile video content platform free for users and supported by advertising available on-demand to a global audience. Babelgum Mobile is an original application currently available in the United States, UK, Italy, Germany, France and Spain which brings regionally tailored programming to smart phones – at present iPhone 3G, iPod Touch, Google Android G-Phones 1 and 2, Nokia (N96, N95 and 6210) – via 3G and WiFi (www.babelgum.com/mobile).
Positioned between user generated video hubs and network TV-oriented destinations, Babelgum focuses on the third part of the ecosystem: innovative, editorially curated and professionally produced content on very specific passions – music, comedy, film, urban culture, nature and the environment. Babelgum’s programming is comprised of exclusive original productions as well as independent and mainstream titles. Babelgum’s content partners include, among others, EMI, Sony Music, the New York Times, PBS, BBC, VBS, Lonely Planet, Coolhunting, National Geographic, Off the Fence, Funny or Die, T5M, Shine Limited, Cinetic Rights Management, Content Republic, Gong Anime, FilmBuff, WorkBook Project, Cinelan, Reverse Shot, Shooting People, Film Independent, Power to the Pixel, and the Spirit Awards as well as the Encounters, Los Angeles, and Hamptons film festivals.
The company has also set up a series of online contests to nurture independent film, music and art talent: the Babelgum Online Film Festival, the Babelgum Music Video Awards and the Babelgum Metropolis Art Prize chaired respectively by Spike Lee (BOFF1 & 2), Michel Gondry and Isabella Rossellini.
Babelgum is an independent and privately held company with offices in the UK, United States and Italy.