Los Angeles, Calif. – The company formerly known as The Orchard Film Group has officially launched today as 1091, a new global commercial distribution platform company for independent film and television content creators. The new company will invest in technology, new delivery options and business intelligence that will offer superior levels of transparency for its clients. The announcement was made today by Daniel Stein and Joe Samberg, principals of 1091 Media, an investment group affiliated with the leadership team of the digital media holding company Dimensional Associates. Stein will take an active role in the company as Executive Chairman of 1091.

1091 will continue to collaborate and work closely with the independent film community and foster relationships with talented filmmakers. The company has set Werner Herzog’s documentary “Meeting Gorbachev” (set for release on May 3rd) and the fashion documentary “Halston” (May 24) as its first theatrical releases under the new banner. Both films will be shown at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Daniel Stein

In addition to Stein, the new company’s leadership includes Chad Blackwell, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer; Julie Dansker, Chief Revenue Officer; Danielle DiGiacomo, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions and Strategic Partnerships; Adam Brostoff, Senior Vice President, Operations; Danny Grant, Senior Vice President, Film and Strategic Partnerships; and Natalie Mooallem, Senior Vice President, Client Management.

The film business was acquired from global music distribution company The Orchard and marks its return to the original ownership team, which established the initial vision for the movie and television distribution operation when they owned The Orchard prior to its sale to Sony Music Entertainment in 2015. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“This is a homecoming in many ways for Joe and me, having originally launched the business in 2010 when we owned The Orchard. With the dramatic shifts in the content and distribution landscape, more content is being created and delivered to more platforms than ever before. We look forward to building on our relationships with filmmakers and content creators,” said Stein. “We have an outstanding management team with a strong track record that will take 1091 in an exciting new direction, with continued support and investment, including a renewed focus on expanding partnerships for our leading action sports content catalogue.”

“Meeting Gorbachev”

The new leadership team includes veterans from the former company as well as COO/CFO, Chad Blackwell, a past finance executive at The Orchard. They will further the company’s strategy and relationships, with an eye to new business opportunities and partnerships. Julie Dansker, Chief Revenue Officer, will oversee all sales and marketing across all content categories with a focus on building new growth and revenue opportunities. Danielle DiGiacomo, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions and Strategic Partnerships will oversee the film and television content acquisitions, developing strategic partnerships and managing all original series and films across partners. Danny Grant, Senior Vice President, Film and Strategic Partnerships, will oversee all action sports content and niche verticals and identify strategic partnership opportunities. From New York, Natalie Mooallem will continue to manage client relationships and Adam Brostoff will oversee all Operations.

1091’s roster boasts 150 award nominations and wins, including two Academy Award nominations for Cartel Land and Life, Animated, 14 Independent Spirit nominations and over 75 Critics Circle awards. In addition, the company has acquired and distributed critically-acclaimed documentaries and theatricals including “What We Do in the Shadows,” “Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” “American Animals,” “The Hero,” “We the Animals,” “The Overnight,” “Birds of Passage,” “Neruda,” “El Angel,” “BPM (Beats Per Minute)” and “The Dawn Wall.”

1091 has deep relationships with talent, both in front of and behind the camera. It has distributed films by 11 Academy Award-winning and nominated directors such as William Friedkin and Pablo Larraín, as well as dozens of award-winning actors including Sam Elliott, Marisa Tomei and Olivia Colman.

The new company was named 1091 as a nod to its history. 1091 was the office address of Stein and Samberg’s investment firm, The Orchard’s original investors in 2003. 1091 has played a part throughout its early films, featuring the actual house with that number in the bumpers for “Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” “What We Do in the Shadows” and “Cartel Land.”

(pictured: still from the upcoming “Halston”)