The Best of Independent Cinema featuring critically acclaimed films, award-winning festival favorites from up-and-coming stars and directors.

Vanguard Cinema

530 South Hewitt Street Suite 535
Los Angeles, CA 90013 (map)

Phone: 800.218.7888
Fax: 213.599.7260

COMPANY CONTACTS

Contact Info and Submissions:
info@vanguardcinema.com

For ORDERS:
orders@vanguardcinema.com

Sales:
sales@vanguardcinema.com

Screeners & Press:
screen@vanguardcinema.com

VANGUARD since 1993.

Branding:

Quality Independent Cinema

Mission:

Presenting New Talent In Cinema

Vision:

Inspiration Through Entertainment

The home entertainment industry relies on continuing relationships between filmmakers, distributors, retailers and the public. Vanguard has from its inception in 1993 continued to build strong relationships. Vanguard also has its eyes on the future of entertainment and is proud of its pioneering efforts in new media.

Vanguard was the name of the knight in shining armor who lead his men to battle of yore. Vanguard is also the bird selectively chosen to lead his flock’s formation in flights.

A Vanguard exemplifies leadership and strength

A Vanguard leads the way

A Vanguard gets there first

FACTOIDS:

Vanguard has often promoted the career starting films of current major stars and directors. This includes Amanda Peet (Animal Room), Cillian Murphy (Disco Pigs) and directors Bryan Singer (Public Access) and George Hickenlooper (Some Folks Call it a Sling Blade).

Vanguard is the 6th largest Direct to DVD Release Studio in the US, right between Sony Pictures and Buena Vista (dvd release report.com)

Vanguard has been at the forefront of digital media adaptation, and  was the first independent studio to sign a digital agreement with Hewlett Packard.

Vanguard is a partner with large and small digital operators, including iTunes.

Vanguard was formed in August 1993 by its current owner and CEO Freyr Thor. Mr. Thor graduated with an MA degree in Film Production from SFSU, school of creative arts, department of Cinema in 1991, under the leadership of August Coppola, and earned an MBA in global business management from the University of Phoenix in 2005.

In its first 5 years of existence Vanguard represented about 50 studios as a broker, including the Criterion Collection, with a combined total of about 3000 titles. The customer base grew fast from independent retailers, universities and libraries to include big chains like Barnes & Noble and Borders. More distributors started using Vanguard as a consolidator for independent products.  

In the mid-nineties Vanguard's business environment changed. Large studios began having direct relationships with big retail chains like Hollywood Video and Blockbuster and as a consequence Vanguard started diversifying by releasing its own acquired product in the independent and international categories. By 1997, Vanguard had transitioned its business model to becoming an independent release studio, utilizing its years of experience in sales and building on its relationship with retail, for the benefit of its independent film releases. 

Vanguard growth has been consistent since, exceeding 10 % most years from its formation and to date has released over 600 films to DVD and currently offers nearly 500 titles on digital platforms.

In 15 years of operation Vanguard has built a solid reputation as one of the leading release studios of independent films in the United States.  It follows the footsteps of companies such as Miramax in its inception, while continuing to be a grass roots organization, resisting evolution into mainstream, and choosing to remain true to its original mission of opening doors to the market for new talent on the edge of discovery.

Vanguard’s insistence on its core mission coupled with its longevity producing unparalleled expertise, making it a unique studio in the American film market.