21 YEARS: RICHARD LINKLATER Partners with Yekra to Fundraise for the Austin Film Society, 11/14-30

Gravitas Ventures today announced that it is launching an initiative with streaming distribution platform Yekra to benefit the Austin Film Society (AFS), a non-profit organization founded by filmmaker Richard Linklater. All digital downloads of 21 YEARS: RICHARD LINKLATER purchased from the AFS website (www.austinfilm.org) benefit the Austin Film Society's artistic programs. In addition, AFS will exclusively host Yekra's download of 21 YEARS: RICHARD LINKLATER between November 14th and November 30th. Pre-orders will also be available starting October 27th.

21 YEARS: RICHARD LINKLATER is a spirited look at the first 21 years of writer/director Richard Linklater's remarkable career through candid conversations with an assortment of actors, filmmakers, collaborators and fans -- from Ethan Hawke, Jack Black, Keanu Reeves, Billy Bob Thornton and Matthew McConaughey to Jason Reitman, Kevin Smith, and Mark Duplass.

"Since Richard Linklater is such a key element of the thriving Austin film community, this partnership with Yekra is a perfect fit that will allow viewers to give back to that community & the society that he founded," said Melanie Miller, Vice President of Acquisitions and Marketing for Gravitas. "21 YEARS: RICHARD LINKLATER is an exploration into the motivations behind Linklater's creations and we at Gravitas -- as well as the filmmakers Michael Dunaway & Tara Wood -- want to show our support of independent film and the Austin Film Society."

"21 YEARS: RICHARD LINKLATER is a charming tribute to the Austin Film Society's Founder and Artistic Director, and offers an informative backstory about our organization's history. We have always been supportive of creative distribution strategies, and were delighted when Michael, Tara and Gravitas approached us about Yekra, and this opportunity to share their film with audiences everywhere while raising funds for our artistic programs," said the Austin Film Society's Executive Director, Rebecca Campbell.

21 YEARS: RICHARD LINKLATER was directed and produced by Michael Dunaway of Paste Magazine, Gasoline Films, and Poitier & Dunaway Motion Pictures. It was co-directed and produced by Tara Wood, CEO of International Film Sales Company Wood Entertainment. Melanie Miller, Vice President of Acquisitions and Marketing at Gravitas Ventures and co-founder, Fishbowl Films, also served as one of the film's producers. It was executive produced by Nolan Gallagher, Michael Murphy, Pamela Sutton, Robert C. McGirr, Mario Davila, William Pedroza and Norman Gregory McGuire.

About Gravitas Ventures - Gravitas Ventures is an independent film distributor -- bringing you the movies you want in theaters and On Demand. By acquiring all-rights, Gravitas has the ability to release a movie in over 100 Million homes in North America and over 1 Billion worldwide. Whether it's releasing a movie before it hits theaters, the day-of, or on home video -- Gravitas Ventures is on the cutting edge of 21st century, independent film distribution. Some of their recent releases include Michael Tully's PING PONG SUMMER with Susan Sarandon, Lea Thompson, and Amy Sedaris, 4 MINUTE MILE with Kelly Blatz, Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins, Analeigh Tipton, Cam Gigandet & Oscar winner Kim Basinger and THE LONGEST WEEK with Jenny Slate, Olivia Wilde, Billy Crudup & Jason Bateman. Next up includes Matthew Saville's FELONY with Joel Edgerton, Tom Wilkinson and Jai Courtney and the documentary 21 YEARS: RICHARD LINKLATER featuring interviews with collaborators Matthew McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Billy Bob Thornton, Keanu Reeves, Jack Black, and more. For more information, check out www.gravitasventures.com and @GravitasVOD.

About the Austin Film Society (AFS) - The Austin Film Society empowers our community to make, watch and love film and creative media. Through Austin Studios, which AFS opened in 2000 through a lease with the City of Austin, AFS attracts film development and production to Austin and Texas. Austin Film Society Grants have awarded over $1.5 million to emerging filmmakers in the state of Texas since 1996. Gala film premieres and the annual Texas Film Awards raise funds and awareness of the impact of film on economy and community. Austin Film Society is ranked among the top film centers in the country and recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and Directors Guild of America. For more information on the Austin Film Society, visit www.austinfilm.org.

About Yekra - YEKRA (www.yekra.com) is a revolutionary digital distribution and marketing engine for films that's rethinking the way we connect content with audience. We work with studios, distributors, and independent filmmakers alike to expand the reach and impact of any film by opening up new channels and pathways to audiences worldwide. We believe in good films -- from independent gems and niche documentaries to major studio favorites -- and we believe in getting them seen. With our traveling technology and targeted audience-building tools, we're decentralizing the old distribution model. We place films front and center with interested audiences via the sites they trust and frequent. YEKRA was founded as the nexus for millions of viewers and promoters rallying behind the cerebral documentary Thrive: What On Earth Will It Take? in 2011 by Lee and Sonya Waterworth. The company is based in Los Angeles, CA.

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