The Sundance Channel and entertainment company Hypnotic have closed a deal to produce and exclusively distribute a series of one-hour short film programs. Titled SUNDANCE CHANNEL AND HYPNOTIC PRESENT SHORTS STOP, the companies plan to sell the programs both domestically and internationally to outlets such as airlines, broadband channels, international television networks, video-on-demand/pay-per-view services, hotels, and institutions. Over the next year, Hypnotic and Sundance Channel will produce a series of co-branded one-hour episodes. Leveraging off Hypnotic’s short film library and Sundance Channel’s programming expertise, the themed episodes will focus on topics such as women, student filmmakers, animation, relationships and urban films. Using one-on-one interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, the series will look at the filmmakers and creative process behind the short films. “Short films have always been a core part of Sundance Channel’s programming,” said Larry Aidem, the Sundance Channel’s president and CEO. “This program with Hypnotic gives us a unique opportunity to extend the Sundance Channel brand to new audiences and expand the scope of opportunities for short filmmakers.” According to Jeremy Bernard, president and COO of Hypnotic, “This new series demonstrates our commitment to working with established brands like Sundance Channel to reach a wider audience and open new, profitable markets for short films. We are excited about working with Sundance Channel in this venture and in support of independent films and filmmakers.”