Fahrenheit 9/11 finds coalition of willing distributors

Staff and agencies

Wednesday June 2, 2004

After being famously dropped by Disney, Michael Moore's award-winning documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 has finally secured US distribution and will hit American cinemas on June 25.

The film is to be released by a partnership of Lions Gate Films, IFC Films and the Fellowship Adventure Group, which was formed by Miramax's Harvey and Bob Weinstein specifically to market Moore's film.

"I am grateful to them now that everyone who wants to see it will now have the chance to do so," Moore said in a statement. "On behalf of my stellar cast - GW, Dick, Rummy, Condi and Wolfie - we thank this incredible coalition of the willing for bringing Fahrenheit 9/11 to the people."

Moore's film, which recently won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes film festival, criticises President George Bush's response to the Sept 11 2001 terrorist attacks and connects the Bush family with Osama bin Laden's.

Having bought the rights to the movie from The Walt Disney Co, which owns Miramax, the Weinsteins will personally finance and control distribution and marketing.

In a settlement reached last week, the Weinsteins repaid their parent company for all costs of the film to date, estimated at around $6m. Any profits from the film's distribution that go to Miramax or Disney will be donated to charity.