Disney, DreamWorks in Distribution Deal

The Walt Disney Studios will distribute the live-action films from DreamWorks Studios in a deal struck between the two companies. Burbank-based Disney will handle marketing and distribution under the Touchstone Pictures banner for approximately six DreamWorks films a year with the first in 2010, according to a Disney release. The films from DreamWorks will complement the slate of films under development by Touchstone, said Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook. DreamWorks will produce their films under a partnership that co-founder Steven Spielberg and partner Stacey Snider reached with Reliance BIG Entertainment, an Indian media company. Reliance will handle distributions of the films in India. “Disney is the birthplace of imagination and has always been as close to the worldwide audience as any company ever has,” Spielberg said. “I am so pleased that industry leaders like Bob Iger and Dick Cook reached out to become our distribution partner. This is a major step forward for us and Reliance.” Mark R. Madler