Relativity Media (Creator)

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Relativity Media is a financier turned distributor that was founded by venture capitalist Ryan Kavanaugh in 2004. The company got its start by financing productions made by Columbia Pictures and Universal and producing independent projects, distributing through Lionsgate. After having many of their films become successful but having to share the profits, Relativity decided to get into the distribution game and bought Rogue Pictures from Universal along with Overture Films from Starz in consecutive years. This came with a heavy cost, as Relativity was forced to sell its Universal film funds due to a conflict-of-interest dispute with the studio over competing Snow White reboots. (Although Relativity will retain a producer credit on the films they were to fund.) The first project they distributed was Jack Goes Boating in 2010. The company has a home media distribution deal with 20th Century Fox to carry its newer films on DVD, Blu-ray, and Netflix. As of 2015, five years after entering solo distribution, financial problems were being reported due to a mix of financially unsuccessful films and overexerting itself. On July 31, 2015, the company declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy and hoped to sell off its library and assets, including then upcoming films such as The Bronze and Before I Wake. Time will tell what will happen next.