Miramax Films

Miramax films is a American conglomerate film and television company which was founded in 1979 by brothers Bob Weinstein and Harry Weinstien. The Company had started out as an independent film studio and remained that until they were bought out by Paramount in 1993 and created a partnership with 'The Walt Disney Company' in 1994. Thomas J. Barrack Jr. is now the chairman of Miramax Films. The company has its headquarters in New York City, Burbank, and Santa Monica. Miramax is now a subsidiary of 'Filmyard Holdings'. Miramax also owns the US Television network 'Miramax Family'. The Company now usually receives funding from 'The Weinstien company'.

Timeline

1980's

In 1981 Miramax released their first feature length film which was the slasher film 'The Burning'. Harry Wienstien produced the film, while Bob Wienstien was a co-writer for the film. The film became a box-office bomb. only achieving a quarter of it's budget. The film was banned from British disruption by the BBFC. (British Board Film Classification). Despite this the film is still considered a cult-classic for horror fans.

In 1989 the film 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' was distributed by Miramax Films and gained recognition towards director Steven Soderbergh and film composer Cliff Martinez who at the time of release was currently a band member of the alternative rock band 'Red Hot Chili Peppers'.

1990's

The 1990's was another successful decade for Miramax. While still distributing independent cult classics such as Quentin Tarantino's debut 'Reservoir Dogs' and his award winning follow up 'Pulp Fiction', Gained the studio even more reputation. Meanwhile films like Kevin Smiths 'Clerks' were surprising hits gaining commercial and critical success.

• 1992: Miramax launched 'Dimension Films'.
• 1993: Miramax was bought out by Paramount Pictures
• 1994: Miramax Started it's Partnership with 'The Walt Disney Company'.
• 1995: Paramount sold Miramax to 'The Walt Disney Company'.

Despite Disney Owning Miramax The Weinstein company decided to operate the company through the 1990's.

2000's
During the 2000's Miramax started to produce major Hollywood pictures with the financial help of 'Walt Disney Pictures' and 'Paramount Pictures'. They gained worldwide acclaim with commercial and critical success with films such as 'No Country For Old Men' and 'The Aviator'. Miramax began to work with industry giants such as the Coen brothers and Martin Scorsese.

2005: The Weinstein brothers leave Miramax and start 'The Wienstein Company'.
2009: Disney reduced 70 per cent of the staff working at Miramax, Reducing the company to only release three films a year.
2010: Miramax sold it's Digital rights to online streaming sites such as Google, Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu'.

On December 3 2010 Disney sold Miramax to 'Filmyard Holdings' for $663 million dollars.

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Miramax Still continues to make Conglomerate films, and remains to have a good reception within the film industry. Although not the largest film studio, Miramax still remains successful through it's investors. They have recently opened deals with other film studios such as 'Lionsgate Entertainment' and 'Studio Cannel'.