 | |
| Formerly | Kino International |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film Home video |
| Founded | 1976; 49 years ago (1976) |
| Founder | Bill Pence |
| Headquarters | New York City,New York, United States |
| Products | Motion pictures |
| Website | www |
Kino Lorber is an international film distribution company based inNew York City. Founded in 1976, it was originally known as Kino International until it was acquired by and merged into Lorber HT Digital in 2009. It specializes inart house films, such asdocumentary films, classic and rarely seen films from earlier periods in the history of cinema, andworld cinema. In addition to theatrical distribution, Kino Lorber releases films in the home entertainment market and has its own streaming services for its digital library.
Kino Lorber was founded as Kino International in 1976 by Bill Pence, then vice president ofJanus Films, and based inColorado.[1] It began by importing and releasing international films that may have not otherwise reached the market in the United States. The first films distributed by Kino were in association with Janus Films.
In 1977, Kino International was purchased by Donald Krim who at the time foundedUnited Artists Classics.[2] At this time, the company acquired rights to distribute theatrically films in the Janus Films library, which became the foundation for its international library of films.[3] Two of the first films imported under Krim wasBallad of Orin.[4] and Peter Lillienthal'sDavid.
Kino International was responsible for the theatrical release of films byCharlie Chaplin beginning in 1977, including the premiere ofWoman of Paris.[5] The Chaplin films became the foundation of a silent film collection for Kino International[3] including the 1927sci-fi filmMetropolis.[6]
By 1989,American classics accounted for 80 percent of the company's distributions, with the other 20 percent made up ofinternational films.[7]
In 2009, Kino International was acquired by Lorber HT Digital to form Kino Lorber.[8]
Kino Lorber launched its "Kino Lorber Studio Classics" line of films in 2014. Its licensing deal withMGM allowed them access to MGM's library of remastered and high-definition films. It released approximately 40 films by the end of 2014, including theBilly Wilder filmsWitness for the Prosecution andThe Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.[9]
In 2017, Kino Lorber entered into a partnership withZeitgeist Films to co-acquire films for theatrical release and taking over home entertainment distribution of their library.[10]
In 2019, Kino Lorber launched a digital streaming service known as "Kino Now." Described as an "arthouse iTunes," it allows the purchase and rentals of films in its distribution library.[11]
During theCOVID-19 pandemic lock-downs in 2020, Kino Lorber launched an online distribution service to stream new films in partnership with closed theaters.[12] Known as "Kino Marquee," the service was seen as a way to help closed theaters generate revenue during the pandemic,[12] splitting revenue equally with participating cinemas.[13]
In 2021, Kino Lorber launched "Kino Cult," a free ad-supported streaming channel forgenre films. It also entered into a distribution agreement withMilestone Films, a New Jersey–based film company known for restoring and distribution of classic films outside the mainstream.[14]
On August 29, 2023, Kino Lorber announced via email that "Kino Cult" was being replaced by "The Midnight Picture Show," "a new free streaming service featuring more movies from the deliciously dark and devilishly bizarre side of cinema."
By 2023, Kino Lorber had over 4,000 titles in its curated library.[15]