LOS ANGELES—Trans-centric studio Michelle Austin Films has signed a five-year distribution deal with VIP Digital Media.
As part of the deal, VIP will release older titles from Michelle Austin Films and Kennston at catalogue price, in addition to all new titles.
Co-owned by Michelle Austin and Dicky Johnson, Michelle Austin Films and Kennston have made strides in the trans niche with such ventures as launching the FTM series Trans Men Adventures in 2014 and the all-FTM site FTM.xxx the following year.
"Dicky and I have been trying to get a distribution deal for over a year now," Austin said. "We have our DVDs in a few stores, which we self-distribute. However everywhere we go stores tell us they want more FTM content, but because we didn't have an exclusive distributor, it's hard to get into many stores. This deal will change the game for us and allow us to make more films. We plan to be more outside the box and creative in what the future holds."
Added Johnson, "I couldn't be happier to make the porn I have been dying to see. As I move more behind the camera in directing, this distribution deal will allow me to do more of the things I have been wanting to do. I know the fans would love to walk into their local adult store and find our titles, and now we will be able to give them that access. Trans men are about to change the trans niche and we are going to be the company that does it."
"Doing this distribution deal with Michelle and Dicky to exclusively distribute Michelle Austin Films product was an absolute no-brainer for [VIP owner] Lynton and I," VIP sales manager David Peskin commented. "I actually got to know both Michelle and Dicky over the years at the trade shows and award shows. At each award show, their titles were always up for awards. We all know how big the TS market is. FTM seems to be a major void. There just isn't enough quality product in this niche. When you add to it storyline features and documentaries, Michelle Austin Films offers a unique product for consumers of multiple genres."
The first two titles under the deal release this week. They are Transcest: An Unreal Family Tale starring Austin, Eddie Wood and Shiri Trap, and directed by Roald Blunt; and Trans Men Adventures starring Austin, James Darling, Fritz Von Fuckup, Chance Armstrong and Parker Reed, and directed by Darling.
Those will be followed at the end of this month by Stroking Alone 2 and recent Toronto International Porn Festival nominee 50 Shades of a Tranny: A Porn Documentary.
For domestic and foreign sales for DVD, VOD, broadcast and licensing, contact Pesking at (818) 709-8200 or [email protected].
