October Films

This article is about the defunct American independent film production company. Not to be confused with the currently-trading London and New York-based television production company October Films Limited and its subsidiary, October Films Inc..
October Films, Inc.
IndustryIndependent film
Founded1991; 33 years ago (1991)
FounderBingham Ray
Jeff Lipsky
Defunct1999; 25 years ago (1999)
FateSold to USA Networks and merged with Gramercy Pictures, Interscope Communications and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
SuccessorUSA Films
Focus Features
ParentUniversal Studios (1997–1999)
SubsidiariesRogue Pictures

October Films, Inc. was a major U.S. independent film production company[1] and distributor founded in 1991 by Bingham Ray and Jeff Lipsky as a means of distributing the 1990 film Life Is Sweet.

A series of mergers and acquisitions began when Universal Studios (then a division of the Seagram Company) bought a majority stake in October Films in 1997.[2] Universal then sold its shares to Barry Diller in 1999, who renamed the company USA Films and merged it with Interscope Communications and Gramercy Pictures.[3] Vivendi then acquired USA Films, who in 2002 acquired Good Machine and merged it with USA Films, forming Focus Features.

  1. ^ "Are the U.S.A.'s Independent Films a Distinct National Cinema?". TheFilmJournal.com. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  2. ^ Eller, Claudia (1997-05-01). "Universal Says It Will Acquire October Films". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  3. ^ "Interscope Communications". Audiovisual Identity Database. 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2023-10-09.