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Giant Pictures

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Giant Pictures LLC
TypePrivate
IndustryMotion pictures
Founded2017
HeadquartersNew York, New York, United States
Burbank, California, United States
Key peopleNick Savva (GM), Jeff Stabenau (co-founder)
ServicesDigital Distribution
SubsidiariesDrafthouse Films, Tribeca Films
WebsiteGiant Pictures

Giant Pictures is an American independent film distribution company founded by Nick Savva and Jeff Stabenau with offices in New York City and Los Angeles. The company releases feature films, documentaries[1] and series on streaming platforms, with an emphasis on flexibility and customization for filmmakers.[2] Giant Pictures owns and operates specialty theatrical label, Drafthouse Films. [3] Giant is the distribution and technology partner of the Tribeca Festival.[4]

History

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Founded in New York City in 2017 by Nick Savva, who had previously worked in digital distribution for the Tribeca Festival,[5] the company was initially launched under the name Streaming Plus. Its first film release was Newness directed by Drake Doremus, which the company had acquired following its world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.[6]

Initially a subsidiary of Giant Interactive, a technology services company owned by post production entrepreneur, Jeff Stabenau,[7] Giant Pictures focused on distribution to streaming platforms[8] including Apple TV, Fandango, Prime Video, Netflix, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV and Peacock.[9]

In 2020, in order to expand its global digital distribution efforts, Giant Pictures split from Giant Interactive, although the companies maintained a close relationship as technology partners.[10] Subsequently, the company built various apps and channels[11][12] on platforms such as The Roku Channel,[13] XUMO, LG, Vizio and Plex.[14] By 2022, Giant Pictures was releasing upwards of 40 new feature films annually and had more than 1,000 titles under management via content partnerships with numerous independent studios.[15][16]

In February 2023, it was reported by Deadline.com that Giant Pictures had acquired American theatrical and VOD rights to A House Made Of Splinters, one of the 2023 Oscar nominees for Best Documentary Feature.[17] Subsequently, Giant released the film on digital platforms including Apple TV and Prime Video. A theatrical release was announced at select Alamo Drafthouse theaters beginning in March 2023.

July 2026 saw the release of Mockbuster, which Giant co-released along with its studio partner, The Asylum.[18] The film is a comedic, behind-the-scenes documentary exploring the balance between low-budget filmmaking and creative ambition.[19]

Drafthouse Films

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Following a collaboration on the re-release of the cult 1980s genre movie Action USA,[20] in early 2021 Giant Pictures signed a sales representation deal with Austin, Texas–based distribution label, Drafthouse Films, for the acclaimed films in its catalog.[21] Subsequently, the Drafthouse titles were made available on multiple streaming platforms including Tubi,[22] Kanopy,[23] Shudder and Hulu.[24] In March 2022, Giant Pictures acquired Drafthouse Films with Nick Savva serving as Drafthouse Films' new CEO and Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League becoming chairman.[25]

The first two films to be released by the newly acquired company were Nr. 10, directed by Alex Van Warmerdam and Masking Threshold, directed by Johannes Grenzfurthner.[26] Both films had a close association with Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas and its related media companies, having premiered at Fantastic Fest then playing at Alamo Drafthouse locations, followed by streaming releases on the Alamo On Demand platform and through Giant Pictures.[27]

Partnership with Tribeca

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In August 2021, Giant Pictures partnered with the Tribeca Festival to create The Tribeca Channel, a free, ad-supported movie streaming channel in the United States and Canada.[28]

Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the movie A Bronx Tale in September 2023, Giant Pictures produced a 4K digital restoration of the film on behalf of Tribeca Enterprises.[29] The digital coloring process was handled at Goldcrest Post in New York and was overseen personally by director, Robert De Niro.[30] The restoration took 9 months to complete. To accompany the re-release of the film on UHD Blu-ray, Giant created bonus features including new interviews with De Niro, as well as writer and star, Chazz Palminteri. In June 2023, the Tribeca Festival, which De Niro founded along with the film's producer, Jane Rosenthal, premiered the 4K restored version with a special 30th anniversary screening at New York City's Beacon Theater.[31]

In January 2024, Tribeca Enterprises and Giant Pictures partnered on an American distribution label called Tribeca Films,[32] to manage the distribution of high-quality independent films from the film festival circuit on streaming platforms.[33] The label aimed to focus on U.S. transactional video-on-demand (TVOD) and advertising-based video-on-demand (AVOD) with the opportunity for distribution across Giant Pictures’ streaming infrastructure, as well as on the Tribeca Channel. Tribeca Films set a goal of acquiring 25 titles per year from festivals like Sundance, Berlin, SXSW, Cannes, Toronto International Film Festival, as well as the Tribeca Festival.[4] In March 2026, Tribeca Films announced a new round of acquisitions[34] including Independent Spirit Award winner, Esta Isla.[35]

Content

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Select filmography

[edit]
Title Year
Newness[6] 2017
Time Trap[36] 2018
White Boy 2018
Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks[37] 2019
Stephen King's A Good Marriage 2019
Cabaret Maxime[38] 2020
Dinner in America 2020
My Darling Vivian[39] 2020
Volition[40] 2020
Action USA[41] 2021
A House Made of Splinters[17] 2022
Nuclear Now[42] 2022
Salt in My Soul[43] 2022
A Bronx Tale (30th Anniversary Edition)[29] 2023
A Disturbance in the Force[44] 2023
Luther: Never Too Much[45] 2024
Absolute Dominion 2025
Room on the Broom (Disc)[46] 2025
The Gruffalo (Disc) 2025
Mockbuster[18] 2026

Studio partners

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References

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  1. ↑ "Giant Pictures, Collective Eye Team to Distribute Indie Docs to Educational Market – Media Play News". November 19, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  2. ↑ "306 Hollywood - sundance.org". March 28, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  3. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (March 9, 2022). "Drafthouse Films Sells to Giant Pictures, Sets Nick Savva as CEO (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Welk, Brian (January 25, 2024). "Tribeca Is Getting Into the Film Distribution Game (Again)". IndieWire. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  5. ↑ Barnes, Brooks (February 28, 2011). "Tribeca and Sundance Festivals Plan Big Growth". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  6. 1 2 Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 8, 2017). "Streaming Plus Launches With Drake Doremus Sundance Pic 'Newness'". Deadline. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Giant Interactive Celebrates 15th Anniversary With Push Into Digital Delivery, Distribution – Media Play News". May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  8. ↑ Welk, Brian (May 25, 2021). "Lionsgate, Giant Pictures and More Join New Content Rights Marketplace From Whip Media (Exclusive)". Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  9. ↑ McNary, Dave (September 6, 2019). "'Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks' Documentary Bought for Digital Release". Variety. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Savva Upped to VP, Content Distribution at Giant Interactive and GM of Giant Pictures – Media Play News". September 22, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Kino Lorber, Giant Pictures Launch Free Ad-Supported Streaming Service Kino Cult – Media Play News". September 30, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Roku Adds the Baby Einstein Library on a New Free Channel". Cord Cutters News. July 29, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  13. ↑ "The Roku Channel Adds New Linear Channels to Lineup". www.businesswire.com. August 17, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Plex users just gained 15 new channels to watch for FREE". TechiLive.in. July 26, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Top 20 Indie Power Players 2022: The Movers and Shakers in Independent Film Distribution – Media Play News". February 28, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  16. ↑ "The Movie Marketing & Distribution Podcast: Nick Savva on how to successfully launch content on VOD on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  17. 1 2 Carey, Matthew (February 14, 2023). "Giant Pictures Takes U.S. Theatrical, VOD Rights To Oscar-Nominated Documentary 'A House Made Of Splinters'". Deadline. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 Ritman, Alex (October 23, 2025). "'Mockbuster' Documentary, About Director Drawn Into 'Gloriously Chaotic' B-Movie Orbit of 'Sharknado' Studio, Bought by Giant Pictures (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  19. ↑ Billington, Alex (June 8, 2026). "Full Trailer for 'Mockbuster' Doc - Making a B-Movie for The Asylum | FirstShowing.net". www.firstshowing.net. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  20. ↑ September 28, Clark Collis; EDT, 2020 at 09:00 AM. "Watch the utterly bonkers trailer for re-issued '80s stunt-fest 'Action U.S.A'". EW.com. Retrieved May 22, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ↑ Ramos, Dino-Ray (February 4, 2021). "Giant Pictures Inks Theatrical And Streaming Deal With Drafthouse Films". Deadline. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  22. ↑ Haithman, Diane (May 6, 2021). "Tubi, Drafthouse Films and Giant Pictures Sign Exclusive Content Deal for Nearly 40 Titles". Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Kanopy - Stream Classic Cinema, Indie Film and Top Documentaries". www.kanopy.com. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  24. ↑ "What's New to Stream on Hulu for July 2021". Film School Rejects. July 13, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  25. ↑ Luchies, Adam (March 13, 2022). "Giant Pictures Acquires Drafthouse Films Label". Collider. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  26. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (March 9, 2022). "Drafthouse Films Label Sold to Giant Pictures". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  27. ↑ Goldsmith, Jill (March 9, 2022). "Distributor Giant Pictures Acquires Drafthouse Films, Sets Nick Savva As New CEO, Tim League Chairman". Deadline. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  28. ↑ "TRIBECA ENTERPRISES AND ROKU LAUNCH THE TRIBECA CHANNEL". Tribeca. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  29. 1 2 Lang, Brent (May 23, 2023). "Tribeca, Robert De Niro Releasing Restored 30th Anniversary Edition of 'A Bronx Tale' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  30. ↑ PR, Artisans. "Goldcrest Post Prepares Eight Films for Tribeca - Broadcast Beat". www.broadcastbeat.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  31. ↑ Bergeson, Samantha (April 27, 2023). "Matt Damon and Ben Affleck-Produced U2 Documentary to Open Tribeca Festival". IndieWire. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Tribeca Films". Tribeca. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  33. ↑ Goldsmith, Jill (January 24, 2024). "Tribeca Enterprises, Giant Pictures Launch Digital Distribution Label For Festival Fare". Deadline. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  34. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (March 19, 2026). "Tribeca Films Acquires Spirit Awards Winner 'Esta Isla' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Esta Isla (This Island) | 2025 Tribeca Festival". Tribeca. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  36. ↑ Berardinelli, James. "Time Trap". Reelviews Movie Reviews. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  37. ↑ McNary, Dave (September 6, 2019). "'Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks' Documentary Bought for Digital Release". Variety. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  38. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (December 13, 2019). "Michael Imperioli Drama 'Cabaret Maxime' Lands At Giant Pictures For U.S. Distribution". Deadline. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  39. ↑ Billington, Alex (November 4, 2020). "'My Darling Vivian' Doc Trailer About Johnny Cash and Vivian Liberto | FirstShowing.net". www.firstshowing.net. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  40. ↑ ""Volition" Acquired by Giant Pictures". Slice of SciFi. May 7, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  41. ↑ September 28, Clark Collis; EDT, 2020 at 09:00 AM. "Watch the utterly bonkers trailer for re-issued '80s stunt-fest 'Action U.S.A'". EW.com. Retrieved June 5, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  42. ↑ Grobar, Matt (March 21, 2023). "'Nuclear Now' Trailer: Oliver Stone's Documentary Makes Case For Atomic Energy To Solve Climate Change". Deadline. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  43. ↑ Kenigsberg, Ben (January 20, 2022). "'Salt in My Soul' Review: Living, Even Thriving, With Illness". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  44. ↑ Gorham, Luke (November 14, 2023). "A Disturbance in the Force — Jeremy Coon & Steve Kozak [Fantasia Fest '23 Review]". In Review Online. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  45. 1 2 Marfori, Miko (August 6, 2024). "Giant Pictures Announces Theatrical Release of Luther: Never Too Much, Celebrated Luther Vandross Documentary from Dawn Porter - Sony Music". Sony Music Entertainment. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  46. ↑ Room on the Broom Blu-ray (The Gruffalo and Friends Collection). Retrieved July 13, 2026 – via www.blu-ray.com.
  47. ↑ "Giant Pictures Acquires Ilya Chaiken's Music Doc Pretty Ugly: The Story Of The Lunachicks From Concord Originals - Concord - News". September 24, 2025. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  48. 1 2 Arnold, TJ (March 30, 2026). "Top Indie Power Players 2026: The Leaders Shaping Independent Film Distribution". Media Play News. Retrieved July 13, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  49. 1 2 "About - Giant Pictures". Giant Pictures. July 13, 2026. Retrieved July 13, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  50. ↑ "Fandango Streaming". athome.fandango.com. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
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