AwesomenessTV is acknowledging the growing importance of its movie business with the launch of a film division. The Brian Robbins-led digital media company has created Awesomeness Films and has hired Chapter One Films founder Matt Kaplan to build out the new division. (THR)
Awesomeness Films is slated to release between 12 and 15 films for theatrical and digital film distribution. In addition to several films currently in production—including Shovel Buddies, based on a 2013 Black List script by Jason Mark Hellerman—Awesomeness Films will look to produce and acquire “elevated young adult material” to combine traditional and digital talent across all budget ranges for both wide and limited releases. (Variety)
In December, DreamWorks Animation sold a quarter of its stake in the YouTube multi-channel network to Hearst Corp. for $81.25 million. (Deadline)