Today, Amazon Video Direct (AVD), a self-service program for studios, distributors, and content creators, announced they have teamed up with Funny Or Die (FOD) to create and distribute exclusive original content. Amazon will finance the production of three all-new FOD shorts that will be exclusively available globally on Prime Video starting November 10. This partnership marks the first time that AVD is investing in the development of original, exclusive new partner content.
AVD has been a place for creators to experiment with new distribution strategies - one of which has been using AVD for first-run exclusives. This has worked well because we've seen enthusiastic customer engagement with premium short form content. FOD is an example of a creator who has been using AVD for distribution strategy experiments. After experiencing early success with titles including Between Two Ferns and The Very Best of Will Ferrell, FOD chose to exclusively premier Justin Long's series The Real Stephen Blatt through AVD in July. Amazon customers love short form comedy, and with the AVD team's focus on increasing selection of premium short form titles, teaming up with FOD to produce original content is a natural extension of the existing relationship to bring Prime Video customers more of what they want.
Currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, Funny Or Die is a premiere entertainment brand and production studio that creates award-winning comedy. Over the years Funny Or Die has identified and cultivated many up and coming talented creatives. Jill Soloway, creator of Amazon's award-winning "Transparent" series made her directorial debut on Funny Or Die. The three original FOD shorts feature talent - in front of and behind the camera, who represent unique emerging voices in the comedy world.
"We have had great success with showcasing our content on Prime Video through Amazon Video Direct," said Brian Toombs, Vice President of Partner Content for Funny Or Die. "Our comedy has really resonated with the Amazon audience and we look forward to showcasing these original shorts on the service."
As part of the exclusive partnership, Prime Video welcomes three new original FOD shorts premiering November 10:
"Lovebirds" - written and directed by Ahamed Weinberg (XX and XX), tells the story of a lonely young man who buys a bird feeder to attract birds to the window of his studio apartment. When they don't come, he is forced to fall in love with a woman in his apartment complex.
"The Jury" - written and directed by Anna Kerrigan, brings viewers into a roomful of bored strangers called for jury duty awaiting their assignments, when a mysterious, foul odor unites - and then threatens to divide - them in a quest to find the source.
"Soojung Dreams of Fiji" - written by SJ Son and directed by Hye Yun Park, a new documentary satire about first generation Korean-American Soojung Yoon, a renowned nail salon owner, who elevates her craft to an art form - an unexpected profession that puts her into conflict with her immigrant mother.
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