What Tricoast Studios does

TriCoast Studios (legal entity: TriCoast Worldwide) is a vertically integrated independent entertainment company founded in 1987 by Marcy Levitas Hamilton, now co-led with spouse Strath Hamilton as Co-CEOs. The company operates four core divisions: TriCoast Worldwide (international sales organization and IFTA member attending major film markets), TriCoast Entertainment (Nevada-based US theatrical releasing company with direct streaming platform relationships), TriCoast Studios (state-of-the-art digital post-production facility in Los Angeles offering sound, editing, VFX, and color services), and TriCoast TV (operator of two free FAST/Linear channels: Dark Matter TV for sci-fi/action/horror and Made It Myself TV for lifestyle/craft content). The company manages a library of over 500 films under license and releases 1-2 movies or TV series per month to its network of 3,000+ global buyers.

The company's core technology is FILM LANGUAGE (BabelON), a patented process co-invented by Marcy Levitas Hamilton that converts original actor performances into multiple languages with synchronized lip movement. TriCoast generates revenue through five primary streams: film and TV licensing royalties (over 500 films), international sales representation (transaction fees), TriCoast TV subscription/FAST channel revenue, post-production services, and slate investment vehicles that allow investors to track recoupment from consumer worldwide. Customer segments include film and TV content buyers (theatrical, DVD, digital distributors, streaming platforms), independent filmmakers seeking production services, and consumers of curated genre/lifestyle content via direct-to-consumer apps and connected TV channels.

The business employs approximately 6 people and is privately held with concentrated ownership between the two co-founders. TriCoast has produced and managed films and TV shows with combined budgets exceeding $100 million over 25 years, with notable titles including The Novice (Tribeca 2021), Wolf Hound, and Heavenly Sword. The company holds direct relationships with major streaming platforms and has an established track record of distributing to tier-one partners such as Anchor Bay, Lionsgate, Cinedigm, and MGM. TriCoast has also developed eBook technology and partnered with Time Warner's Leisure Arts to produce 17 lifestyle DVDs. Strategic intent centers on becoming a global vertically integrated content company spanning production through consumer delivery.

Name

Tricoast Studios

Legal name

TriCoast Worldwide

Website

https://tricoast.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TriCoast Studios is a privately held, vertically integrated independent entertainment company operating international film sales, US theatrical releasing, post-production, and FAST streaming channels (Dark Matter TV, Made It Myself TV), serving global distributors, streaming platforms, and independent filmmakers with a 500+ title library.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Film & TV Distribution: Worldwide distribution and licensing of feature films and television shows through theatrical release, streaming platforms, DVD, and digital channels. Releases one to two movies or TV series per month with over 500 films under license.
2. International Sales Representation: International Sales Organization representing first run films and film libraries. Conducts extensive campaigns with theatrical, DVD and digital distributors in every territory worldwide.
3. TriCoast TV Channels: Creator and distributor of apps and FAST/Linear channels worldwide: Dark Matter TV (sci-fi, action, horror genre channel) and Made It Myself TV (lifestyle/craft channel). Available globally on mobile, desktop, and connected TVs.
4. Post-Production Services: State-of-the-art post production facility providing services including second unit photography, casting, 5.1 sound packages, M&E Sound packages, Foley, effects and dialogue, online editing and color, titles, and 2D & 3D VFX supervision at reduced rates to producers.
5. Slate Investment Opportunities: Vertically integrated entertainment company maintaining a network of investors to create slate investment opportunities, allowing investors to track their investment recoupment from consumer worldwide with no third-party intervention.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TriCoast is a vertically integrated independent entertainment company that produces, distributes, and licenses feature films and television content worldwide through theatrical release, streaming platforms, DVD, and digital channels. The company operates an international sales organization (TriCoast Worldwide), a US theatrical releasing arm (TriCoast Entertainment), a digital post-production facility (TriCoast Studios), and consumer streaming channels (TriCoast TV's Dark Matter TV and Made It Myself TV). It holds a library of over 500 films under license and releases one to two titles per month.

Product overview

TriCoast is a full-service media company organized as a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core operations include TriCoast Worldwide (international film sales and distribution) and TriCoast Entertainment (US theatrical releasing), which together manage a library of over 500 films and release one to two movies monthly. TriCoast TV serves as the parent for two streaming channels: Dark Matter TV (sci-fi/horror/cult classics available as a free app and linear channel) and Made It Myself TV (lifestyle/craft content as a free app and linear channel). TriCoast Studios provides state-of-the-art post-production services including sound, editing, color, and VFX. The company also developed proprietary technology called FILM LANGUAGE (BabelON), a patented process for dubbing films with lip-sync matching across languages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Film & TV Distribution (TriCoast Worldwide) International sales organization representing first run films and film libraries across theatrical, DVD, and digital platforms in every territory. IFTA trade organization member attending Cannes, Berlinale, TIFF, AFM, Hong Kong, and MIP/MIPCOM with relationships across over 3,000 buyers.
• US Theatrical & Streaming Release (TriCoast Entertainment) Nevada-based US film and TV releasing company with direct relationships to all major streaming platforms. Releases one to two movies or TV series per month, managing a catalog of over 500 films under license for North American distribution.
• Digital Post-Production Services (TriCoast Studios) State-of-the-art post-production facility providing second unit photography, casting, 5.1 sound packages, M&E sound packages, Foley, effects and dialogue, online editing and color, titles, and 2D & 3D VFX supervision at reduced rates to producers.
• Dark Matter TV Free curated app and FAST/Linear movie channel featuring sci-fi, action, horror films, and cult classics. Available globally across mobile, desktop, and connected TVs; initially operating in five countries and expanding.
• Made It Myself TV Free app and linear TV channel featuring lifestyle and crafting content including pottery, gardening, fiber arts, and other crafts. Available globally across mobile, desktop, and connected TVs.
• FILM LANGUAGE (BabelON) Pioneering patented film technology co-invented by Marcy Levitas Hamilton that converts original actor performances into various languages and synchronizes the lips to match the new language. Awarded a US patent.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and historical.

• IFTA (International Film Trade Association)coreOthersLongstanding member of IFTA trade organization. TriCoast Worldwide operates as an International Sales Organization representing first run films and film libraries through this membership.
• Major Streaming PlatformscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTriCoast Entertainment has direct relationships with all major streaming platforms for film distribution releases.
• Time Warner (Leisure Arts)historicalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Time Warner company Leisure Arts to create and produce a line of 17 lifestyle/special interest DVDs on Craft with innovative DVD technology developed at TriCoast Studios.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Magnolia Pictures: Independent film distributor (Magnet Releasing parent) handling theatrical, VOD, and home video for independent and genre films. Comparable to TriCoast Worldwide's international sales and TriCoast Entertainment's US distribution role.
• Abramorama: Boutique independent film distributor focused on specialty theatrical releases and event cinema. Comparable to TriCoast Entertainment's niche theatrical releasing business, particularly for filmmaker-driven and festival-friendly titles.
• FilmRise: Independent film and TV distributor operating FAST channels (similar to TriCoast TV) with a large content library and direct streaming platform deals. Closest comparable by business model combining distribution, FAST channel operation, and genre curation.
• Gravitas Ventures: Independent film distribution company specializing in genre films, VOD release, and streaming platform aggregation. Comparable to TriCoast Entertainment in targeting independent filmmakers for digital distribution.
• Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (formerly Cinedigm): Streaming and content distribution company operating numerous owned FAST channels and supplying content to streaming platforms. Comparable to TriCoast's combined distribution and FAST channel business; also a TriCoast distribution partner (Cinedigm released Heavenly Sword).
• Shout! Factory: Independent film distributor with a large owned library, FAST channel operations (Shout! TV, Frightpix, etc.), and genre curation similar to TriCoast's Dark Matter TV concept. Closely comparable in combining distribution with owned genre FAST channels.
• Freestyle Digital Media: Independent digital film distribution arm focusing on transactional VOD and digital platforms for genre and independent films. Comparable to TriCoast's DVD and digital distribution streams and indie filmmaker customer segment.
• Samuel Goldwyn Films: Long-established independent film distribution company handling theatrical and home video releases of independent films. Directly comparable to TriCoast Entertainment's US theatrical releasing function and target customer base of filmmakers seeking US distribution.
• ITN Distribution: Independent film sales and distribution company representing titles at international film markets and placing them with US streaming platforms. Comparable to TriCoast Worldwide's international sales organization function and film market presence.

Broad incumbents

• Lionsgate: Major independent studio and distributor with theatrical releasing, streaming platform (Lionsgate's Grindstone), international sales, and FAST channel operations. A much larger, broad incumbent that overlaps with multiple TriCoast business lines and is also a distribution partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TriCoastEntertainment
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tricoast-studios

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tricoast Studios