The world's first independent Blu-ray film distribution and manufacturing company, Edge of Light Media, has been launched to release indie and mini-major films, TV shows and music videos worldwide in the high-definition disc format.

The bold move is considered key to not only promotion of the Blu-ray format, but to overall HD acceptance as the majors now control virtually all the manufacturing and distribution of the emerging Blu-ray disc technology while most films produced in the U.S. and abroad are made outside the studio system.

The new joint venture will team John Daly's Film and Music Entertainment with Erik Hansen's Blue Ray Technologies Inc. Daly has produced Oscar winners like Platoon and The Last Emperor as well as The Terminator. Hansen was one of the first manufacturers of both films and games in DVD format. Recently, he has acquired Blu-ray Disc rights to several catalogs and will announce release schedules shortly.

"Indies have concerns they will lose control or flexibility over their largest revenue source, video in whatever form the public wants, as America marches to 70 million HD TV homes by 2010," Hansen said, quoting figures from Nielsen.

Story filed 25.03.07