Press release
Cinelan and Babelgum Launch HD Short Film Alliance
{New York and London} - Cinelan and Babelgum today announced a partnership that will bring
the Cinelan Library of 3-minute films to the global web video audience via the Babelgum platform.
Co-Founded by Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me), Cinelan provides premium HD content to partners and
brands Worldwide and has a library of content produced by some of the great documentary filmmakers
of our time including Steve James (Hoop Dreams), Ross Kauffman (Born into Brothels), Jessica Yu
(Breathin Lessons), Liz Mermin (Shot in Bombay), Marilyn Agrelo (Mad Hot Ballroom), Grant Gee
(Meeting People is Easy), Jeremiah Zagar (In a Dream).
"Using Babelgum as our on-line distribution partner is important for us because of the position they
are taking in the Independent Film community. The quality of video via there player is excellent, and
they are one of the few truly Global players in the space," said David Laks, CEO of Cinelan. "The
committment they are showing to independent films, including documentaries, demonstrates to us that
they are doing the right things to support the indie film community." He added.
Babelgum is a web video platform that focuses on connecting a Global audience to their passions. Independent
arts, such as music and film, are two of the passions that Babelgum is serving in the market today.
"The partnership with Cinelan provides us with content that is a very good fit for our Platform," said Valerio
Zingarelli, CEO of Babelgum. "There is so much potential for the short documentary film as internet video comes
of ages as a multi-cultural communication tool. Distribution across our Global platform is only the first
application of this alliance, and we are looking forward to working with Cinelan for a long time to come."
About Babelgum
A free Web TV service, Babelgum combines the full-screen video quality of traditional television with the
interactive and social networking capabilities of the Internet, offering professionally produced programming
on-deman to a global audience. It also recently launched an original mobile application in Italy and the UK
that brings web-tailored programming to smart phones (at present iPhones and Nokia N96, N95 and 6210, with more
to come) via 3G and WiFi.
Babelgum's current editorial focus is on independent film and music, comedy, animation and the environment,
supported by a series of thematic communities. The company has set up two online contests to nurture independent
film and music talent: the Babelgum Online Film Festival, chaired by award-winning director and producer
Spike Lee (now in its second year) and the Babelgum Music Video Awards, judged by acclaimed film director
and musician Michel Gondry.
As the name suggests, Babelgum's goal is to act as an international 'social glue', bringing a huge range of content
to a global audience - like a modern-day Tower of Babel. The bubble logo is a fun visual pun on the company name,
but also reflects Babelgum's commitment to a green, global future.
Using proprietary software, the Babelgum user-interface provides content owners with a secure platform supported by
advertising on which to distribute their programming worldwide, and a unique business model that allows them to
monetize their assets.
Babelgum's content partners include the Associated Press, PBS, 3DD, VBS, Shine Limited, Gong Anime, IMG, Off the Fence
and internation film festivals such as Seattle, DC Independent and Encounters. The list of advertisers includes
globally renowned brands such as Vodafone and Benetton Group. Founded in 2005, Babelgum is an independent and privately
held company with around 100 employees and offices in the U.K., Ireland, France, Italy and the US.
Babelgum.com
For Further information on Babelgum please contact:
Babelgum's Press Office
Andrea Gianotti, Off. +44 20 7268 2490; Mob. +44 7825 892 640
andrea.giannotti@babelgum.com