IndiePix to deliver powerful immigration documentary 'The Least of These' to global audience

  • Controversial film follows plight of immigrant children and their parents at the T. Don Hutto Residential Center – America's "Family Prison"
  • Dual premiere on 16 March 2009 – at South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival and online –  will help raise documentary's visibility
New York, US – 2 March, 2009 – IndiePix, the Internet-based distributor of independent films, has announced that it is the sole distributor of the powerful new documentary, The Least of These, which has its world premiere on the 16 March, 2009. The feature-length film explores one of the most contentious aspects of American immigration policy – family detention – and IndiePix will be responsible for delivering it to a global audience. To ensure maximum impact and visibility, the film will have a 'dual premiere': at the South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival, and online through IndiePix's partner, SnagFilms. Following its debut, The Least of These will be available to an international audience from IndiePix as an electronic download or physical DVD delivery.

The Least of These documents the former medium-security prison in central Texas, the T. Don Hutto, which, in 2006, became a detention center also known as America's "Family Prison" for men, women and children awaiting asylum hearings or deportation proceedings. There was very little public knowledge that, once caught, families were being detained against their will in what were described as 'troubling' conditions. Immigration Attorney, Barbara Hines, was contacted by detainees seeking representation and, along with Vanita Gupta of the ACLU and Michelle Brane of the Women's Refuge Commission, filed a historic and successful lawsuit to bring about change in policy and conditions.    

"We are very proud to be the only distributor to offer the film via physical DVD delivery, as well as our unique DVD-on-Demand technology," said Bob Alexander, President at IndiePix. "Once again we are also working alongside our partner, SnagFilms, who will be streaming the film through virtual movie theatre widgets in conjunction with the SXSW festival. This documentary deserves a lot of visibility and we intend to ensure that it achieves this. We will also be working closely with the film's producer, Marcy Garriott, to get the film into more festivals throughout the year."

Jason Tyrrell, a member of the film team at IndiePix Studios, arranged this project. "I am very pleased that Cinema Guild, our educational and library market partner, is joining us in this effort. Each member of this distribution team has special strengths and expertise. We have put this combination of skills together before, and that experience made it possible for us to respond quickly to this opportunity."

"By offering this inspiring documentary to an international audience it really enables us to show the world what continuing challenges there are to a democratic society, and what can be done to bring about change. Immigration – especially where young children are concerned – is a huge issue across the US and Europe, yet the reality of the situation may often be kept under wraps by officials. The three attorneys featured in The Least of These were initially held back by a lack of openness within the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) organization yet their efforts ultimately changed legislation and significantly improved conditions for those seeking refuge in America," concluded Bob Alexander.

Produced by Marcy Garriott and directed by Clark Lyda and Jesse Lyda, The Least of These will be appearing at festivals across the US throughout 2009.

Note to Editors: Free editorial review sample
If you would like to review The Least of These click here and IndiePix will send you a free copy via DVD or emailed directly to your PC. If you would like to attend The Least of These premiere please contact Caroline Addy caddy@iba-americas.com or Liz Ogilvie liz@indiepix.net for more information. 

For more information please visit www.indiepixfilms.com.

About IndiePix
IndiePix is a New York-based distributor that delivers a highly-curated collection of the best Independent Films from around the world. Offering a hand-picked catalogue of over 3,000 independent film gems – art-house, foreign, and documentary – the IndiePix team selects the best titles from the international festival circuit. Avenues for distribution include IndiePix' patented DVD-on-Demand technology, delivery of DVD by mail, retail and theatrical.

The company is committed to supporting the Independent Film industry through its production arm, IndiePix Studios, and its unique business model that returns the highest share of sales straight to the filmmaker.

For more information, please visit www.indiepixfilms.com
 
Liz Ogilvie
Head of Marketing, IndiePix
Tel: +1 212-684-2333
Email: liz@indiepix.net

Caroline Addy
IBA – PR for IndiePix
Tel:+44(0)1780 721433
Email: caddy@iba-americas.com

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