MAGIC LAMP RELEASING
was created to level the playing field for the independent filmmaker

WHO WE ARE

MARC HALPERIN has been a key figure in the film world for the last twenty-eight years. During that time, he has worked for several major studios and independent distributors, and managed the release of numerous landmark films.

As National Sales Manager for Universal Classics, Marc was responsible for the re-release of THE FIVE MISSING HITCHCOCK FILMS: REAR WINDOW, VERTIGO, THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY and ROPE. This remains one of the most successful reissues of a series of classic films to date.  During this time, Marc was also responsible for repackaging and rereleasing Alex Cox's REPO MAN for Universal and turning it into a long-running cult hit.

In 1989, Marc joined Miramax Films, where he served as Senior Vice President General Sales Manager. Here he was responsible for the distribution of every Miramax release from Stephen Soderbergh's SEX, LIES AND VIDEOTAPE through THE CRYING GAME. Marc actually found "sex, lies and videotape" while working for Cineplex Odeon Films, but when that company ceased to exist, he distributed the film for Miramax, launching an "indie" renaissance that continues to this day.  During Marc's tenure with Miramax, the company emerged from the ranks of small non-studio distributors to become the pre-eminent force in independent film. During this period Marc helped Miramax to redefine the art market with CINEMA PARADISO, MY LEFT FOOT, THE GRIFTERS and many other Oscar nominated films.

In 1994, Marc joined Fine Line Features, where, as Senior Vice President General Sales Manager, Marc was responsible for the distribution of numerous features, including SHINE, LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!, WIDOW'S PEAK, THE GRASS HARP, SAVING GRACE, DANCER IN THE DARK, HOOP DREAMS, David Mamet’s STATE AND MAIN, Woody Allen's DECONSTRUCTING HARRY and Julian Schnabel’s BEFORE NIGHT FALLS.

In 2001, Marc left New Line to found MAGIC LAMP RELEASING with his wife, Marla Lewin Halperin, and since then has released Rob Morrow’s MAZE, Doug Pray’s SCRATCH, Anurag Mehta’s AMERICAN CHAI, Julie Davis’ AMY'S O and Julio Medem’s SEX & LUCIA, which grossed over $1.5 million in only 120 days with just 30 prints, and then went on to make more than $2 million in DVD sales.

MARLA LEWIN HALPERIN is a successful publicist, producer, playwright, screenwriter and consultant who has represented a wide variety of individual clients, films and produced numerous award shows and special events.

After writing several award-winning plays and a screenplay for Lina Wertmuller early in her career, Marla produced three of the first Palm Springs Desert Theater Award shows, honoring Ruby Keeler, Patrick MacNee and Joseph Cotton. She associate produced an event to benefit The Palms Springs Playhouse, and produced and edited two of the Palm Springs Women’s Press Clubs’ video productions, for their Golden Grape Award Shows, honoring Gene Barry, Buddy Rogers, George Montgomery, Howard Keel, Carroll Baker, and Harold Robbins. Marla did promotions for Mohammed Ali's "Fight for Cancer" event, and engineered the reintroduction of Tammy Faye Baker to the public from her self-imposed exile after the conviction of her husband Reverend Jim Baker. In 1994, Marla assisted Dorothy Hart with the centennial celebration in New York for composer Lorenz Hart.

In 2003, Marla co-produced and promoted LIFE AFTER WAR, a documentary that follows former National Public Radio war correspondent Sarah Chayes’ efforts to rebuild a village in Afghanistan. Working with Chayes and Afghans for Civil Society, Marla helped the film generate phenomenal press coverage, including ABC NEW with PETER JENNINGS (where Chayes was named "Person of the Week"; OPRAH (where Chayes received Oprah's "Chutzpah Award"; FRONTLINE: WORLD; NOW with BILL MOYERS, numerous broadcasts of ALL THINGS CONSIDERED; and FRESH AIR with TERRY GROSS, along with reviews and articles in numerous newspapers and magazines. Magic Lamp subsequently sold the film to the Sundance Channel.

For Magic Lamp, Marla has supervised all publicity and promotions for SCRATCH, AMERICAN CHAI, AMY'S O and SEX & LUCIA, and has organized several Academy Award campaigns for clients, as well as many special screenings, events and publicity campaigns at Cannes, Sundance, Palm Springs and other film festivals. Recent events have included:

•	a Special Tribute Award for actress Blythe Danner, presented at the 2004 Sonoma Valley Film Festival (where Marla was a juror), as part of the promotional campaign for Keith Gaby's film THE QUALITY OF LIGHT.
•	a Lifetime Achievement Award for actor Alan Arkin, presented at the 2004 Newport Beach Film Festival, as part of the promotional campaign for Neal Miller's film RAISING FLAGG.
•	a Lifetime Achievement Award for actor Kim Chan, presented at the 2004 Rhode Island International Film Festival, as part of the promotional campaign for Marc Rosenbush's award-winning film ZEN NOIR.

Marla is a frequent panelist at film festivals, including SXSW and SDLFF and was a juror at the 2005 Sonoma Valley Film Festival.