Jul 10, 2019

Shout! Factory Acquires Independent Animator Bill Plimpton's Library

Shout! Factory has acquired the digital and broadcast rights to the library of American independent animation legend Bill Plimpton.

Plimpton has produced many commissioned films throughout his career, but has always maintained ownership of his personal work, which made this deal possible. The deal is with all seven of Plimpton's feature films ("The Tune," "I Married a Strange Person!", "Mutant Aliens," "Hair High," "Idiots and Angels," "Cheatin'" and "Revengeance"), more than 50 short films, including the Academy Award-nominated "Your Face" (1987) and "Guard Dog" (2004).

The announcement was made today by Shout! Factory founders/CEOs Bob Emmer and Garson Huth, Shout's VP of acquisitions Jordan Fields, and Bill Plimpton on behalf of New York-based sales agent Branscomb International The announcement was made by Katherine Branscomb-Morrissey.

Shout has not announced detailed release plans, but has stated that it will release library titles on multiple platforms later this year.

"Bill Plympton is one of the most unique artists in the world. His unique visual style and subversive sense of humor are a testament to a wickedly creative sensibility that has won him both critical acclaim and a devoted following."

Plimpton, 73, added, "I am excited to partner with Shout Factory to offer my library of work! Partnering with the Factory will allow me to bring my collection of work to a wider audience. Along with their history of supporting indie and avant-garde animation, I am excited to work with them to share my features and shorts with animation and film fans and introduce these works to a new generation of fans."

Shout! has recently acquired U.S. rights to several foreign animated feature films, including "Tito and the Birds," "Big Fish and Begonia," and "In This Corner of the World."