Kino Lorber Expands Its Streaming Footprint with New Standalone Service

Kino Lorber, a New York-based independent film distributor founded in 1977, has taken a significant step in its digital evolution by launching a standalone streaming service, Kino Film Collection. This new service, available on multiple platforms including Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, and Roku, offers subscriptions at $5.99 per month and features hundreds of titles from Kino Lorber's extensive library of over 4,000 films.

The Kino Film Collection initially launched as part of Amazon's Prime Video Channels in November 2023, but the standalone service now allows Kino Lorber to compete directly with other niche streaming options like the Criterion Channel and Mubi. The service aims to attract film enthusiasts with its curated selection of both classic and contemporary films.

To celebrate the expansion, Kino Film Collection is spotlighting projects and auteurs showcased at the Cannes Film Festival. The collection includes early works from acclaimed directors such as Yorgos Lanthimos, Jia Zhangke, and Ken Loach, as well as recent festival hits like 'Four Daughters' by Kaouther Ben Hania and 'Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell' by Pham Tien An.

Richard Lorber, Chairman and CEO of Kino Lorber, emphasized the significance of Cannes in the film world: 'The Cannes Film Festival is the beating heart of cinema, and there's no better place to share the news about this expansion of Kino Film Collection to our own direct-to-consumer streaming service for North American film lovers.' He added, 'Cannes and the Kino Film Collection are so intertwined because we share a love and appreciation of great films, and we're very proud to feature so many works that first screened at Cannes among our Collection of the classics of tomorrow and the best of cinema past.'

Kino Lorber has a long history of bringing independent and arthouse cinema to U.S. audiences. Founded as Kino International, the company merged with Lorber HT Digital in 2009, significantly expanding its catalog and distribution capabilities. Today, the company releases 35 titles theatrically each year and over 350 titles annually to the home entertainment market.

The Kino Film Collection offers a diverse range of films, from classic silent movies like 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari' and 'Metropolis' to modern masterpieces such as 'Bacurau' and 'Beanpole.' The service also features award-winning films like Palme d'Or winners 'Underground' and 'Winter Sleep,' as well as acclaimed documentaries and dramas.

Kino Lorber's commitment to preserving cinema culture through the restoration and rerelease of classic films has been a cornerstone of its operations. The company's library includes works from legendary directors like Andrei Tarkovsky and Michelangelo Antonioni, ensuring that both historical and contemporary films remain accessible to new audiences.

With the launch of its standalone streaming service, Kino Lorber continues to solidify its position as a leading curator of art house cinema. The Kino Film Collection not only provides a platform for classic and cult films but also introduces viewers to new and thought-provoking works from around the world.

Key Takeaways

• Kino Lorber launches standalone streaming service, Kino Film Collection, for $5.99/month.
• Service features hundreds of titles from Kino Lorber's 4,000-film library.
• Kino Film Collection spotlights Cannes Film Festival projects and auteurs.
• Service offers classic and contemporary films, including silent movies and award-winning titles.
• Kino Lorber solidifies position as leading curator of art house cinema with new service.