"Fahrenheit 9/11," (Hollywood Reporter)

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) -- Michael Moore's incendiary documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11," which had been looking for an American distributor, has found not one but three entities eager to share in the movie's theatrical release. The film, which Walt Disney Co. declined to allow its Miramax Films unit to distribute, is set to launch theatrically June 25 in the United States, through a complicated distribution apparatus that will see Miramax co-chairmen Bob and Harvey Weinstein's newly formed Fellowship Adventure Group join forces with Lions Gate Films and IFC Films. Showtime is taking pay-TV rights to "Fahrenheit" through an existing deal with Lions Gate. The film's home entertainment rights have not yet been sewn up, though one source close to the film said that they could land with Universal Home Video. Although plans have not yet been finalized -- and summer screens can be hard to come by -- "Fahrenheit" is expected to roll out on about 1,000 screens, sources said. The partners all declined comment on how the film's fees will be split. According to a release issued Tuesday, the Weinsteins' Fellowship will "personally finance and control distribution and marketing" of the film, with Lions Gate and IFC executing those plans. The Weinsteins have further appointed consultant and former Miramax staffer Matthew Cohen as marketing director for their new entity to create and oversee all marketing materials." Sources said that "Fahrenheit," whose rights cost the Weinsteins about $6 million, will have an initial print and advertising commitment of $10 million. "On behalf of my stellar cast -- GW, Dick, Rummy, Condi and Wolfie -- we thank this incredible coalition of the willing for bringing 'Fahrenheit 9/11' to the people," Moore said in a statement. "Fahrenheit," which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, is Moore's take on the Bush administration. The film includes accusations regarding the 2000 presidential election, explores ties between the Bush family and the Saudis and says the Bush administration fanned fears of terrorism to boost American support for the Iraq war. The Weinsteins added, "This is a true coalition. The passion that Lions Gate, IFC Films and Showtime have demonstrated reflects our desire to enable Michael Moore's extraordinary work to be viewed by as many filmgoers as possible as soon as possible." While Lions Gate had long been considered a front-runner to distribute Moore's film because of the company's previous relationship with the Weinsteins -- Lions Gate has rolled out such too-hot-to-handle Miramax fare as Kevin Smith's "Dogma" -- IFC emerged as a dark horse in the "Fahrenheit" theatrical race. Sources close to the film had previously indicated that units including Newmarket Films, Focus Features and ThinkFilm had all been in discussions at various times. However, through its cable network, IFC has been doing business with the Weinsteins for years, and its theatrical division has had success in growing grassroots movements for such films as "Y Tu Mama Tambien" and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." The company also has a strong New York presence, while Lions Gate is based in Los Angeles. Some sources also speculated Tuesday night that the Weinsteins could also be laying the groundwork to develop a further relationship with IFC parent Rainbow Media Enterprises, which is slated to be spun off by New York-based Cablevision Systems this year. The revamped Rainbow Media will include the Voom satellite TV division, other cable nets including AMC and the Clearview Cinemas theater chain. The Weinsteins have expressed an interest in developing a Miramax cable presence, and the nascent Voom division also is seeking content packages. The Weinsteins also indicated that they aren't finished bringing partners aboard "Fahrenheit" and that further names would be added, possibly in a bid to pack a more potent political punch. In addition, by bringing other corporations aboard -- like Viacom, which owns Showtime, and, possibly, NBC Universal, parent of Universal Home Video -- the move could give the Weinsteins the added satisfaction of making Disney look timid. Lions Gate has no releases planned for the summer, while IFC has another documentary waiting in the wings in its acquisition "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster." Paris-based sales agent Wild Bunch will continue to handle "Fahrenheit's" international distribution rights deals. In presenting his film at Cannes last month, Moore expressed his hope that "Fahrenheit" would hit theaters by the Fourth of July holiday weekend and subsequently be available on home video/DVD by the fall in order to impact the November presidential election.