Lionsgate, Animal Planet Partner for 'Million Dollar Duck' Distribution

25 Jan, 2016 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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Lionsgate and Discovery Communication’s Animal Planet Jan. 25 announced a distribution pact for Million Dollar Duck, a documentary about the eccentric world incorporating the federal duck stamp contest, which premiered Jan. 24 at Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

Directed by Brian Golden Davis, the film showcases the only juried art competition run by the U.S. government surrounding creation of a winning duck stamp authorized by the U.S. Postal Service. The duck stamp program is among the most successful conservation marketing tools ever created, simultaneously melding art with migratory waterfowl. The doc claims to profile the “American subculture brimming with talent, ego, art, controversy and big money” involved in creating the winning stamp.

Animal Planet will broadcast the film after Lionsgate distributes it on a limited theatrical run, in addition to digital and packaged media. 

The partnership is the latest in Discovery’s expanding relationship with Lionsgate. Discovery and Liberty Global invested in Lionsgate last November, with the two companies announcing a home entertainment distribution agreement under which Lionsgate distributes Discovery programming on disc in the U.S.

“Poignant, quirky, hilarious and tremendously engaging, Million Dollar Duck is the perfect property to kick off our alliance with Discovery on documentary films and other long-form content that creates tremendous opportunities for both our companies,” Jim Packer, president of worldwide television and digital distribution at Lionsgate, said in a statement.

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