IndiePix partners with Nelson Madison Films to promote homeless documentary SKID ROW

  • 'Activist' and 'Educational' Editions of SKID ROW now available to buy or Download-To-Own - for private screenings in schools and communities  
  • 35 per cent from sale of each DVD goes to The Midnight Mission homeless shelter
  • Documentary follows Pras Michel from the Fugees through the heart of SKID ROW LA - America's homeless capital
  • Screening to be held in Denver on August 24th, 7pm (MT) during the Democratic National Convention

New York, US - 7 August, 2008 - IndiePix, the Internet-based distributor of independent films, has announced a partnership with Nelson Madison Films' distribution arm, Indie Rights, Inc. The partnership coincides with the launch of the new 'Activist' and 'Educational' Editions of SKID ROW - a no-holds-barred documentary featuring Pras Michel from the Fugees, as he takes to the streets of Downtown LA for nine days, with no money or food. For the first time, the film is available from IndiePix as an 'Activist Edition', which enables individuals and non-profit organisations to host their own screenings, and also an 'Educational Edition', which includes teaching guides for schools and colleges.

SKID ROW is a five-mile radius in downtown LA which has the highest concentration of homeless people in the US. An average of 80,000 homeless men, women and children sleep on SKID ROW on any given night, which is more than double New York’s homeless population. This eye-opening film documents the relentless work of the Midnight Mission and includes footage that Pras Michael witnessed in the homeless capital of America.

Nelson Madison Films approached IndiePix to provide them with a tailor-made distribution package that would promote the film  as well as the cause behind it - in the most effective way possible. The new 'Educational Edition' provides material to help schools teach teenagers about issues such as poverty, homelessness and drug abuse, while the 'Activist Edition' enables private screenings across the States and includes information about what organisations people can get involved with, how to learn more about the issues and how to organise and take political action. In addition to the DVD and Download versions from IndiePix, SKID ROW is also available to consumers for free viewing on the advertiser supported service SnagFilms.

"This film was made with the intention of raising awareness and inspiring action," said Linda Nelson, Co-Founder of Nelson Madison Films and its distribution subsidiary, Indie Rights, "but SKID ROW, and the message behind it, have really been lost on the big sites such as Amazon. SKID ROW is a fantastic documentary, but the mainstream distribution model really wasn't well suited to the film. IndiePix is the best distribution model on the net for independent films, so we contacted them to help us revitalise the DVD, and raise money and awareness for the cause."

From the beginning, Nelson Madison Films committed to donating half of its revenue stream from the film to The Midnight Mission, knowing that none of the profits from traditional distribution would flow to the cause. IndiePix is supportive of this mission and is also donating part of its profit. "We're urging people to buy the DVD through IndiePix because of the financial support it provides for The Midnight Mission. SKID ROW was made to highlight a very real and growing problem in the US - a problem that a lot of people sometimes choose to disregard even when it is right on their doorstep. The extra features in the 'Activist' and 'Educational' Editions of SKID ROW also mean that people have the resources to get involved and raise awareness and money for a problem that affects almost every city," concluded Linda Nelson.

SKID ROW is to be screened in Denver on August 24th at 7pm (MT) during the Democratic National Convention. Pras Michel will participate in a Q&A session, which will be held after the screening, alongside John Parvensky, who is the Board of Directors Vice President for the National Coalition for the Homeless and the President of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.

The film is available from the IndiePix website www.indiepixfilms.com/collection/the-skid-row-collection priced from $17.50. A connection to the SnagFilms presentation of this title is also available at that location. Readers can click here to see the trailer for this high-impact film.

Note to Editors: Free editorial review sample
If you would like to review SKID ROW click here and IndiePix will send you a free copy via DVD or emailed directly to your PC. If you would like to download an interview with Pras Michel about the film please click here.

About Nelson Madison Films and Indie Rights, Inc.
Nelson Madison Films was formed by Linda Nelson and Michael Madison in 2003. It is an independent studio whose mission is to produce and distribute quality independent films using innovative digital technology. In 2007, the company formed a specialty distribution company, Indie Rights, Inc. to focus on finding an audience for its own films and the films of other independent filmmakers using the internet and alternative theatrical strategies.
www.nelsonmadisonfilms.com
 
About IndiePix
IndiePix is the world's leading distributor of critically acclaimed and hard-to-find independent films. The company was set up in 2005 by Bob Alexander and Barnet Liberman to break down barriers between filmmakers and audiences in the global film community through the creation of a world leading shop and online service dedicated to making independent films available to film fans everywhere. The company is committed to supporting the independent film industry through its sponsorship of film festivals and its unique business model that returns the highest share of sales straight to the filmmaker. For more information, please visit www.indiepixfilms.com.

Shreekant Pol
Manager of Catalogue and Aquisitions
Tel: 212-684-2333
Email: shreekant@indiepix.net

Louise Sambells
The PressOffice - PR for IndiePix
Tel:+44(0)1780 721433
Email: lsambells@pressoffice.targetwire.com


Issuers of news releases, not Targetwire, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.