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Press Releases

Participant Productions Names Diane Weyermann Executive Vice President of Documentary Production

LOS ANGELES, CA [ October 10, 2005 ]

Participant Productions has named Diane Weyermann to the newly created position of Executive Vice President of Documentary Production, it was announced today by Participant’s President Ricky Strauss. Founded in January 2004 by eBay pioneer and philanthropist Jeff Skoll and headed by Strauss, Participant’s projects focus on compelling entertainment that highlight important social issues so as to awaken, inspire and empower audiences to make a difference.

Participant Productions Partners With THINKFilm on Release of Multiple Prize-Winner 'Murderball'

LOS ANGELES, CA [ June 23, 2005 ]

Participant Productions, the Los Angeles based entertainment company founded in 2004 by eBay pioneer and philanthropist Jeff Skoll, will partner with THINKFilm and MTV Films for the upcoming July release of the acclaimed film Murderball, it was announced today by Participant Productions President Ricky Strauss.

Participant Productions Acquires North American Rights to 'Fast Food Nation' From Hanway Films

CANNES, FRANCE [ May 15, 2005 ]

Participant Productions, the Los Angeles based entertainment company founded in 2004 by eBay pioneer and philanthropist Jeff Skoll, has acquired North American rights and taken an equity stake in the upcoming film, Fast Food Nation from HanWay Films, which is handling international sales, it was announced today by Participant Productions President Ricky Strauss.

Principal Photography Commences on 'Untitled Niki Caro Project' Starring Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand and Sissy Spacek for Warner Bros. Pictures in Association with Participant Productions

BURBANK, CA [ February 24, 2005 ]

Warner Bros. Pictures' drama Untitled Niki Caro Project, directed by Niki Caro (Whale Rider) and starring Academy Award-winning actresses Charlize Theron (The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, Monster), Frances McDormand (Laurel Canyon, Fargo) and Sissy Spacek (A Home at the End of the World, In the Bedroom), has commenced principal photography on location in Minnesota, it was announced by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand and Sissy Spacek to Star in "Untitled Niki Caro Project" for Warner Bros. Pictures in Association With Participant Productions

BURBANK, CA [ February 1, 2005 ]

Academy Award-winning actresses Charlize Theron (The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, Monster), Frances McDormand (Laurel Canyon, Fargo) and Sissy Spacek (A Home at the End of the World, In the Bedroom) will star in the upcoming drama Untitled Niki Caro Project for director Niki Caro (Whale Rider), presented by Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Participant Productions.

Participant Productions Producing 'Sesame Street' Documentary

LOS ANGELES, CA [ November 17, 2004 ]

Participant Productions announced today that it is producing, in association with International Street Productions, The World According to Sesame Street, a documentary which examines the history of the revolutionary children's program as well as its cultural, political and social impact around the globe.

Participant Productions Partners With THINKFilm for Theatrical Release of 'Arna’s Children'

LOS ANGELES, CA [ October 6, 2004 ]

In a Palestinian refugee camp, Arna Mer Khamis opened a theatre group where she taught the children to express anger, bitterness, and fear through acting and art. Arna’s son, Juliano Mer Khamis, who directs the film, was a director at the theater group and filmed his mother and the children rehearsing and performing over a six-year period.

Participant Productions Teams With Warner Bros. Pictures on Financing for "Syriana" and "Untitled Niki Caro Project"

BURBANK, CA [ September 23, 2004 ]

Warner Bros. Pictures and philanthropist Jeff Skoll's Participant Productions have announced a partnership that will provide co-financing for Syriana and Untitled Niki Caro Project, both feature films on the 2005 slate at Warner Bros. Pictures.

IFC Films Loads 'American Gun' With Donald Sutherland, Linda Cardellini, and Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon

NEW YORK, NY [ July 29, 2004 ]

IFC Senior Vice President of Productions and Acquisitions, Caroline Kaplan, announced today the casting of Donald Sutherland, Linda Cardellini, and Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon in American Gun, the debut feature of director/co-writer Aric Avelino and co-writer Steven Bagatourian.