Disney to distribute Anil Ambani-DreamWorks movies

Mumbai, Feb 11 (IANS) Walt Disney Studios will distribute movies that the Steven Spielberg-promoted DreamWorks Studios produces in partnership with Reliance Big Entertainment, part of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.

Under the terms of a long-term arrangement, Disney will handle distribution and marketing of approximately six DreamWorks films each year.

The first DreamWorks motion picture to be released under the Touchstone Pictures banner is scheduled to hit theatres in 2010.

DreamWorks's founders Spielberg and Stacey Snider partnered with Reliance Big Entertainment last fall to form a new motion picture company. In addition to being a partner in DreamWorks, Reliance will also distribute the new company's projects in India.

'Steven has made some of the biggest and most loved films of all-time, and continues to be one of the great icons of our industry. Stacey has an impeccable reputation and a phenomenal track record for making a wide variety of quality films. Their motion pictures will be the perfect complement to the already robust slate of Disney,' said Walt Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook in a press statement.

Added Spielberg said: 'Disney is the birthplace of imagination and has always been as close to the worldwide audience as any company ever has. This is a major step forward for us and Reliance.'