FilmBuff, a new video-on-demand channel curated by New York indie sales outfit Cinetic, launched last  week. The channel will offer 10-15 first run films and classics per month, with the goal of attracting and widening the audience for new titles, those that have fallen through the cracks, and older films that complement a current trend. Amongst the launch titles is Rob Epstein's 1984 documentary The Times of Harvey Milk.  (via Variety)


Brian Newman has announced his departure from his position as CEO of the Tribeca Film Institute. In a post on his blog Springboard Media, Newman says that he's extremely proud of leading National Video Resources to becoming Renew Media, and then  shepherding the merger of the latter with Tribeca Film Institute (TFI).
      Newman has not yet announced his future plans. He says on his blog, "As many of you know, I have quite an entrepreneurial spirit and want to now explore other opportunities. I will be launching a consulting business focusing on business development projects in the entertainment and cultural industries as well as helping filmmakers, artists and organizations to distribute content and connect with audiences through innovative uses of new technology."
You can follow Newman on Twitter @bnewman01.

George Clooney and Grant Heslov’s Smokehouse Pictures are in final negotiations to sign an exclusive two-year theatrical development and production deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment. This means Clooney will be leaving his home at Warner Bros. after almost 20 years of being associated with the studio.
     And why does this matter to you, dear documentarians? Because Clooney has six films currently in development, including one based on the documentary Our Brand Is Crisis. Rachel Boynton's film about American spin doctors plying their branding skills to the presidential election in Bolivia was a 2005 IDA Award Winner. (via The New York Times and DeadlineHollywoodDaily.com)