“Marley” to stream on Facebook during theatrical run

April 12, 2012 by Kevin Ritchie

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Marley, director Kevin Macdonald’s documentary about reggae legend Bob Marley, is to be made available for streaming on Facebook at the same time as its theatrical opening and release on video-on-demand (VoD).

According to the Associated Press, Marley will become the first U.S. film to stream concurrently on the social networking site during a theatrical run, a sign that social media is playing an increasingly important role in release windows. Facebook began hosting movie rentals in March last year.

Facebook members will be able to rent the doc for US$6.99 as of April 20, with a portion of the proceeds going toward Save the Children, a charity for needy youngsters.

Billed as the “definitive” film about the music icon, Marley marks the first time the late performer’s family has authorized the use of its private archives. It was produced by Shangri-La Entertainment and Tuff Gong Pictures, and Magnolia Pictures and VH1 have acquired the U.S. rights and the first TV window, respectively.

The film had its world premiere at Berlinale in Germany in February, its U.S. premiere at SXSW in Texas last month, and will get its Canadian premiere at Hot Docs, which kicks off later this month.

Tags: Bob Marley, Facebook, Kevin Macdonald, Magnolia Pictures, Marley, VH1