Amazon is to build on the success of award-winning transgender show Transparent and signing Woody Allen to make a series by moving into film production.
The online retailer plans to produce and acquire up to a dozen films a year, for release in movie theatres and via its online video service.
The move marks a major expansion of its Amazon Studios division, which last week picked up two Golden Globes including best TV series (music or comedy) for Transparent.
Amazon did not reveal any specific projects but said that movies will be released in theatres first and then quickly move onto its Prime Instant Video service, which competes with rivals including Netflix and Apple.
Amazon Original Movies, the name of its new film-making arm, will be led by Ted Hope, who co-founded the production company Good Machine, with credits including Eat Drink Man Woman and American Splendor.
The company said that films would appear on its online service within four to eight weeks of premiering in a theatre, much swifter than the standard industry agreed strategy of delaying releases for 39 to 52 weeks.
“We look forward to expanding our production efforts into feature films,” said Roy Price, vice president of Amazon Studios. “Not only will we bring Prime Instant Video customers exciting, unique and exclusive films soon after a movie’s theatrical run, but we hope this programme will also benefit film-makers, who too often struggle to mount fresh and daring stories that deserve an audience.”
The announcement ups the ante in Amazon’s battle with Netflix, maker of hit online TV shows such as House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, which has also branched out into feature length films and is trying to reduce the window between theatrical and online release.
In August, Netflix is due to premiere a remake of the hit film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon at the same time it is being released in IMAX theatres.
“To help carry the torch into the feature film world for such an innovative company is a tremendous opportunity and responsibility,” said Hope, who takes the role of head of production at Amazon Original Movies.
Last week, Amazon signed up Woody Allen to direct his first television series for its video-on-demand service.
It is the 79-year-old Oscar-winner’s debut TV project after more than 40 films in a career spanning more than half a century.
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Amazon moves into film production
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