Los Angeles, CA (December 22, 2011)–National Geographic and Image Nation are consolidating their partnership with Hyde Park/Image Nation to finance and produce a wide array of National Geographic-themed entertainment projects designed for global distribution. Hyde Park will be the managing partner, and the venture will develop feature films, documentaries and television series designed to entertain and inspire family audiences around the world.
“We like Hyde Park’s approach to the business, their growth and success in Asia, and the fact that Ashok and his team are already working closely with our partner, Image Nation,” said Tim Kelly, President of the National Geographic Society. “This partnership makes sense from all angles, and by folding our current feature film effort into this new venture, we will be able to pursue bigger, more ambitious projects and expand into growing markets like India and China.”
Image Nation Abu Dhabi’s Chairman Mohamed Al Mubarak commented, “This venture will advance our relationship with both Hyde Park and National Geographic. At the same time it will provide another great opportunity for young Emirati filmmakers to gain real-world, hands-on experience that will help build their personal/professional networks so critical to success in the motion picture industry.”
Hyde Park’s Chairman Amritraj said, “Hyde Park and National Geographic have enjoyed a close relationship with Image Nation over the years, and by aligning the two brands, we create a dynamic venture that will deliver high-quality entertainment to audiences around the world.”
Amritraj will serve as CEO of the new Nat Geo/IN/Hyde Park venture, with current National Geographic Feature Film President Daniel Battsek transitioning to a new role as a consultant. Hyde Park International will be the worldwide sales representative for the entity’s feature film slate.
About Hyde Park-Image Nation
Hyde Park-Image Nation, along with Sony Pictures Entertainment, is currently preparing the release of GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE which will open worldwide day and date on February 17, 2012. In 2009, Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment and Image Nation Abu Dhabi partnered on a $250 million financing deal to develop, produce and distribute feature films. They extended their partnership to create a strategic alliance with Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA). Under this deal, Hyde Park-Image Nation Singapore was launched in 2010 to fund multiple films worth an estimated production value of $75 million.
About National Geographic
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888, the Society’s mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise.
National Geographic Films, now part of a new partnership between Hyde Park Entertainment and Image Nation, co-presented the box-office success and 2005 Academy Award-winning film “March of the Penguins.” In 2008 it formed an international film fund with Image Nation, a partnership that produced Academy Award nominee Peter Weir’s “The Way Back.” National Geographic Cinema Ventures, now a division of National Geographic Television & Film and responsible for production and distribution of giant-screen, 3D and specialty films, distributed the 2011 critically acclaimed, Academy Award-nominated “Restrepo.” For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.
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