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Vertical (film company)

Vertical is an independent distribution company founded in 2012 by producers Rich Goldberg and Mitch Budin. Specializing in global distribution across theatrical, streaming, and other mediums, the company provides full-service marketing and sales solutions to filmmakers, aiming to maximize revenue through strategic platform partnerships and creative strategies. Initially focused on video-on-demand (VOD) releases, Vertical evolved into a respected player in theatrical distribution over the subsequent decade, building a reputation for nimble operations in a competitive landscape dominated by major studios. The company has released a diverse slate of independent films, including commercially oriented indies that have garnered critical acclaim and festival selections, such as EDEN directed by Ron Howard, The Order (premiered at the Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals), and Lee (nominated for a Golden Globe). Notable releases also feature high-profile talent like Sydney Sweeney, Jude Law, and Kate Winslet, contributing to Vertical's box office successes, with films like Gotti achieving over $4 million in domestic gross. In 2025, Vertical expanded its theatrical footprint with the release of Dead of Winter, which premiered at the Locarno Film Festival, underscoring its commitment to innovative indie cinema distribution worldwide.

History

Founding and early years

Vertical Entertainment was established in September 2012 by industry veterans Rich Goldberg and Mitch Budin as a private American independent film distribution company. Goldberg, formerly CEO of Lightning Entertainment, and Budin, a former senior vice president there with prior roles at Warner Bros., DreamWorks, and Vivendi, brought over four decades of combined experience in film sales and distribution to the venture. From its inception, the company adopted a centered on (VOD) and ancillary markets, deliberately de-emphasizing traditional theatrical releases to capitalize on emerging digital platforms. Headquartered in , Vertical planned an ambitious initial slate of 24 films per year, targeting mid-budget features in the $5 million to $10 million range, often with recognizable casts to appeal to VOD audiences. Early acquisitions included mid-tier indie films that aligned with this strategy, marking the company's entry as a VOD specialist focused on efficient distribution of narrative-driven content. In its humble beginnings, Vertical forged key early partnerships leveraging the founders' industry connections, which facilitated access to a pipeline of independent fiction films suitable for digital release. This foundation enabled initial growth, transitioning from a niche VOD operator to handling larger-scale indie projects while maintaining a lean operational structure in its Santa Monica base.

Expansion and international growth

In the mid-2010s, Vertical significantly scaled its operations, building on its initial plan to release 24 films annually as announced upon its launch. By the late 2010s, the company had increased its output to dozens of titles per year, establishing a reputation for distributing mid-tier independent films that often featured meaningful casts from established actors. This growth was supported by strategic partnerships with production entities and platforms, enabling broader releases across theatrical, streaming, and physical media formats. A pivotal shift occurred around , when Vertical transitioned from a primary focus on video-on-demand (VOD) to incorporating theatrical , allowing it to compete more directly in markets while maintaining its slate. This evolution marked a key milestone in the company's maturation, as it leveraged its VOD expertise to secure wider platform accessibility for its titles. Vertical's first major international expansion came in November 2019 with the announcement of its distribution arm, aimed at the premium VOD and genre market. The arm debuted with releases such as the horror film and the psychological thriller remake , signaling Vertical's intent to extend its model beyond . To bolster operational scaling, Vertical made targeted internal hires, including Kristin Harris in March 2022 as Senior of Production and Development. Previously at Good Deed Entertainment, where she oversaw acquisitions and releases of around 20 films per year, Harris was tasked with leading Vertical's emerging production arm to enhance content pipeline and strategic development.

Rebranding and recent developments

In 2023, Vertical Entertainment rebranded to Vertical, streamlining its identity to better encompass its expanding global operations and diverse distribution across theatrical, home entertainment, and digital platforms. By 2024, the company had solidified its position as a respected player in the theatrical market, transitioning from a VOD-focused to one capable of competing with major studios through agile, commercially driven strategies, as noted in industry analyses. Key milestones in 2025 included the world premiere of Dead of Winter, an action thriller starring , in the Piazza Grande section at the , marking Vertical's continued push into high-profile festival circuits. Additionally, Vertical acquired U.S. rights to Ron Howard's survival thriller , featuring and , scheduling it for a nationwide theatrical release on August 22. Vertical maintains ongoing distribution of its slate across all mediums, prioritizing commercially viable projects while providing comprehensive support—from to —for filmmakers.

Corporate structure

Leadership

Vertical (formerly Vertical Entertainment) was co-founded in 2012 by Rich and Mitch Budin, who established the company as an distributor focused initially on video-on-demand and home entertainment releases. , serving as and Chairman, has overseen the company's overall , including its strategic expansion into and theatrical markets. Budin, as Co-President, has concentrated on content acquisitions and , drawing from his prior experience as EVP of at Entertainment. The leadership team has evolved significantly since the company's inception, with strategic hires in the late and early bolstering capabilities in international distribution and theatrical releases to align with growing ambitions in those areas. Peter Jarowey, a Partner and CEO, joined from ARC Entertainment and now oversees acquisitions, sales, and marketing; he has been pivotal in driving Vertical's transition from a VOD-centric model to a prominent theatrical player, emphasizing hybrid release strategies that maximize audience reach. In 2023, Jason Pecora was appointed Executive Vice President of Distribution, bringing expertise in content acquisition and platform partnerships from his role at . Kristin Harris joined in 2022 as of and , leading efforts to expand Vertical's in-house production slate until her departure in October 2025 to become Head of Acquisitions at Concourse Media. Britt Draska serves as (as of 2025), handling financial strategy and operations to support the company's growth. These executives' contributions have been essential to Vertical's milestones, including its adaptation to evolving distribution landscapes and increased focus on high-profile indie films.

Operations and headquarters

Vertical maintains its primary headquarters in , which has served as the central base for its U.S. operations since the company's founding in 2012. The office, located at 2120 Colorado Avenue, Suite 150, supports core functions including film acquisition, domestic distribution strategy, and coordination with production partners. This location enables efficient oversight of North American releases and leverages proximity to major studios and industry hubs in . To extend its global reach, Vertical established a distribution office in , focusing on theatrical and digital releases in the market. The London-based arm, with its registered address at 24 Old Queen Street, handles acquisitions and marketing for and select territories, allowing to tailor strategies for regional audiences. This expansion complements the Santa Monica by managing logistics and partnerships independently while aligning with overall corporate goals. Vertical's operations encompass full-service marketing, sales, and production support tailored for independent films, spanning theatrical, video-on-demand (VOD), streaming, and platforms. The company provides end-to-end services, including creative development for trailers and , to maximize revenue and visibility for filmmakers. Its internal structure emphasizes collaborative approaches, integrating sales teams with marketing experts to offer customized solutions that address distribution challenges across multiple channels. This setup supports a robust annual release slate, typically comprising dozens of titles, with a focus on mid-tier independent projects.

Film distribution

Business model

Vertical Entertainment operates a hybrid distribution model that integrates video-on-demand (VOD) and ancillary markets with an increasing emphasis on theatrical releases, targeting mid-tier independent films with strong commercial potential and recognizable talent. This approach allows the company to maximize revenue across multiple platforms while maintaining cost-effective operations compared to major studios. Initially focused on VOD as its primary outlet, Vertical has evolved by into a balanced portfolio that includes theatrical distribution for select titles, enabling broader audience reach and higher monetization. The company's acquisition strategy centers on completed films scouted at major festivals such as Sundance and , prioritizing award-contending projects and those featuring established actors to ensure market viability. Vertical acquires approximately 25-30 titles annually, emphasizing nimble decision-making to secure rights quickly without the overhead of larger distributors. This volume-driven model supports a steady output, allowing the company to build a diverse slate of indie content. As a full-service provider, Vertical offers comprehensive , , and global distribution across theatrical, streaming, and channels, collaborating closely with filmmakers to optimize and returns. Revenue streams derive from theatrical earnings, domestic and streaming deals, and ancillary , with the hybrid strategy mitigating risks associated with film performance. This integrated approach positions Vertical as a key player in the sector, focusing on efficiency and partnership over blockbuster pursuits.

Notable films and achievements

Vertical Entertainment has distributed several acclaimed independent films that have garnered significant recognition at major awards ceremonies. One notable release is (2021), a starring and , which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for "Somehow You Do" by . The film, based on a true story of addiction recovery, highlighted Vertical's early success in elevating intimate narratives to awards contention. In 2022, , a thriller directed by and starring , won the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay for writer-director John Patton Ford. Co-distributed with , the film premiered at Sundance and praised for its tense exploration of economic desperation, further solidified Vertical's reputation for championing bold debuts. The company's 2023 slate included , a directed by featuring , , and , which received a Golden Globe nomination for Best ("Addicted to Romance" by and ). Vertical acquired U.S. rights following its premiere at the , contributing to its festival circuit buzz. More recent releases have continued this trajectory of awards momentum. Your Monster (2024), a horror-comedy starring Melissa Barrera and directed by Caroline Lindy, won the Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival: London after its world premiere in the Midnight section at Sundance. Vertical secured North American rights, positioning it as a genre standout. Similarly, The Order (2024), directed by Justin Kurzel and starring Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult, premiered at the Venice International Film Festival—earning a near-10-minute ovation—and screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, with Vertical handling the U.S. release. Lee (2023), a biopic of war photographer Lee Miller starring Kate Winslet, earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for Winslet. Acquired jointly with Roadside Attractions, it underscored Vertical's focus on prestige biopics. Eden (2024), a survival thriller directed by Ron Howard and featuring Jude Law, Ana de Armas, and Sydney Sweeney, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released theatrically in the U.S. on August 22, 2025, receiving mixed reviews (57% on Rotten Tomatoes). In 2025, Dead of Winter, starring Emma Thompson and directed by Brian Kirk, premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in August and was released theatrically on September 26, 2025. Vertical's impact extends to earlier indie successes like (2020), directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples, where lead actress won a Gotham Award for . The film, centered on a former beauty queen mentoring her daughter, exemplified Vertical's role in amplifying Black-led stories. Overall, these releases have built Vertical's reputation for strategically positioning independent films, transitioning from video-on-demand dominance to theatrical viability, with the company's titles contributing to approximately $38 million in cumulative worldwide as of 2025.

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