IFC pacts with Blockbuster

March 06, 2008 The home video giant has inked a deal with IFC Entertainment for an exclusive 60-day window on U.S. rentals and downloads of IFC titles before they're sold, and is establishing an indie film section for new releases in around 1,000 of its 4,000 stores. Blockbuster's two-year pact also includes exclusive physical rental distribution rights for IFC titles for three years after their retail street date, which is typically six months after each film's debut. Though there's nothing to prevent standalone video stores and small urban chains from buying and renting IFC titles at that time, it's a sharp blow to these retailers, whose cineaste customers are among indie film's most passionate supporters.

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