Thomas Ashley (producer)

Thomas Ashley is an American film producer and distributor. He is the founder and CEO of both Invincible Pictures and FlixFling.

Thomas Ashley
NationalityAmerican
Alma materArt Institute of Philadelphia
OccupationFilm distributor, producer, and director
Known forFounder of Invincible Pictures and FlixFling

Early life and career

Thomas Ashley spent time working on the sets of television commercials and public-service announcements in order to help put himself through college at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. After graduating, his first major role was as director of the independent horror movie The 13th Child. After the film failed to find a distributor, Ashley developed the marketing campaign to develop screening opportunities for the film in order to get it viewed in theatres.[1]

Film distribution

Ashley founded Invincible Pictures, an independent film distributor promoting movies through local theatre-screenings and DVD sales, in 2006. He targeted major motion pictures with large budgets that failed to find distribution, in order to acquire films below market value.[1] In addition to operating its acquisition fund Invincible Entertainment Partners,[2] the company also produces some films, but shifted more towards distribution over its first five years of existence.[3] He currently serves as the company’s CEO,[4][5] and as a part of his role, Ashley travels to film festivals such as Cannes in order to acquire distribution rights for motion pictures.[6] In 2014 he put up 25% of the equity to create the Kevin Smith film Yoga Hosers, and was an executive producer on the film. Invincible Entertainment Partners [7] was the distributor for the film upon its completion.[8]

Ashley is also the founder and CEO of FlixFling,[6][9] which provides users with, “access to digital movies, direct from independent studios,” according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.[1][10] Originally Ashley developed the service after observing how the big-box video rental store market was shrinking, and access to independent and other hard to find films was shrinking with it. Therefore, they initially focused on fare outside of the mainstream market. It is now the largest privately owned streaming service.[11]

References
  1. Joseph N. DiStefano. "Is North Philly digital-movie service a giant-killer?". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  2. Melita Kuburas (20 May 2014). "FlixFling establishes 7-figure acquisitions fund". Stream Daily.
  3. Mattias Frey (2016). Extreme Cinema: The Transgressive Rhetoric of Today's Art Film Culture. Rutgers University Press. p. 71.
  4. Eric Pape (15 May 2011). "So Scandalous a Prosecutor Took Notice". The New York Times.
  5. C.J. Perry (April 23, 2016). "Indie Film Studios: Can They Compete with Hollywood?". Film Slate Magazine.
  6. Horst, Carole (16 May 2014). "Cannes: FlixFling Bows Acquistion [sic] Fund". Variety Magazine.
  7. https://www.flixfling.com/movie/23451/watch-Yoga-Hosers-with-Bonus-Featurette
  8. Brooks, Brian (2 September 2016). "Kevin Smith Joins The Depps For 'Yoga Hosers'; Jerry Lewis Stays Strong In 'Max Rose': Specialty Preview". Deadline Magazine.
  9. Erik Gruenwedel (December 7, 2016). "Thomas Ashley Joins Viva Entertainment Group Board". Home Media Magazine.
  10. Jeff Baumgartner. "FlixFling, Music Choice Near Content Deal". Multi Channel.
  11. Rebecca Raymer. "Access to all the HORROR you'd ever want!". Movie Pilot.
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