Peace Arch Entertainment
| Company type | Public (formerly) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture and television production |
| Predecessor | Medco (1981–1985), Vidatron Entertainment (1985–1999) |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy |
| Successor | Phase 4 Films (home video division spun off in 2009) |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
Area served | International markets |
Key people | Berry Meyerowitz (Phase 4 Films founder, related to spin-off) |
| Products | Feature films, television content |
Peace Arch Entertainment (abbreviated as "PAE" and previously known as Medco from 1981 until 1985, then Vidatron Entertainment from 1985 to 1999, often styled as PEACE ARCH) was a Canadian company specializing in motion picture and television production. Its main headquarters were located in Toronto, Ontario, with additional branches in Los Angeles and Vancouver. The firm was involved in producing and acquiring feature films and television content for international markets. Operations ended following its bankruptcy declaration in 2013.
History
Established in 1981 initially as a distributor of home entertainment products, the company derived its name from the Peace Arch monument situated on the Canada–US border. The business began under the name Medco and changed to Vidatron Entertainment in 1985 coinciding with its initial public offering.
In 1997, it expanded by acquiring Sugar Entertainment.
The year 1999 marked a rebranding to Peace Arch Entertainment, under which it continued to develop original productions.
In 2006, Peace Arch purchased Kaboom! Entertainment, a distributor focused on children's home video, for $8.5 million.
Subsequently, in 2007, it acquired Trinity Home Entertainment, a home video distributor based in Los Angeles.
By 2009, Peace Arch spun off its home video division along with Kaboom! to create Phase 4 Films, established by Berry Meyerowitz; this entity was later bought by Entertainment One in 2014.
Peace Arch Entertainment officially filed for bankruptcy on May 16, 2013.
Filmography
- The Infidel (2010)
- Flick (2010)
- Kandahar Break (2010)
- Who Killed Nancy? (2010)
- What We Do Is Secret (2007)
- JCVD (2008)
- 305 (2008)
- Winged Creatures (2008)
- Delirious (2006)
- Winky's Horse (2005)
- The Keeper (2004)
Television series
- The Immortal (2000)
- Big Sound (2000–2001)
- Animal Miracles (2001–2003)