{{Infobox company | name = Interfilm, Inc. | logo = | industry = Motion pictures, Entertainment | founded = | founder = | defunct = | hq_location_city = | key_people = Bob Bejan | products = {{Plainlist| *Interactive films }} | num_employees = | hq_location_country = United States }}
'''Interfilm''' was an American film production company founded by Bob Bejan in 1992 that produced interactive films.
==History== In August 1993, Interfilm Inc. filed an initial offering of two million common shares with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Interfilm said in the filing it changed its name from Ediflex Systems Inc. on Aug. 24 and that it has agreed to acquire Interfilm Technologies Inc. prior to the initial offering.<ref name="FinancialBriefs">{{cite news|url= https://variety.com/1993/biz/news/financial-briefs-114-109985/|title= Financial Briefs |publisher=Variety|access-date=July 25, 2021}}</ref> That same year, Interfilm signed a three picture deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment.<ref name="InterfilmBook">{{cite book |last=Miller|first= Carolyn Handler|author-link= |date=2014|title=Digital Storytelling: A creator's guide to interactive entertainment |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=fqvpAwAAQBAJ&dq=Interfilm&pg=PA407|location= |publisher=Routledge|page= |isbn=978-0415836944}}</ref><ref name="InterfilmInteractivePicDeal">{{cite news|url= https://variety.com/1993/film/news/interfilm-to-give-life-to-interactive-pic-deal-116954/ |title= Interfilm to give 'Life' to interactive pic deal |publisher=Variety|access-date=July 22, 2021}}</ref> Sony Pictures also purchased 10 Interfilm systems for installation in their Lowes Cineplexes bringing the total value of the deal to $6 million.<ref name="InterfilmInteractivePicDeal" /> The company went public in early December 1993 which resulted in $20 million of capitalization.<ref name="InterfilmInteractivePicDeal" /> In 1995, following disappointing audience responses to Interfilm's feature ''Ride for Your Life'' production was suspended by Sony on the film ''Bombmeister'' and was ultimately never completed.<ref name="InterfilmBook2">{{cite book |last=Hart|first= Anne|author-link= |date=2003|title=How to Make Money Selling Facts: to Non-Traditional Markets |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=T60ODQAAQBAJ&dq=Interfilm+%22Sony%22&pg=PA73|location= |publisher= iUniverse, Inc.|page= 73 |isbn=0595278426}}</ref><ref name="BumpyInteractiveRide">{{cite news|url= https://variety.com/1995/film/features/bumpy-interactive-ride-99127686/|title= Bumpy interactive ride |publisher=Variety|access-date=July 22, 2021}}</ref> Interfilm subsequently announced intent to sue Sony for breach of contract.<ref name="BumpyInteractiveRide" /> The suit against Sony was dismissed in 1998 <ref name="CaseOutcome">{{cite web |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ny-supreme-court-appellate-division/1155603.html |title=INTERFILM, INC., etc., et al., Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. ADVANCED EXHIBITION CORPORATION, etc., et al., Defendants-Respondents. |date=1998-04-30 |accessdate=2021-07-25}}</ref> Interfilm's commercial failure is credited with diminishing interest in interactive films for several years thereafter.<ref name="InterfilmBook2" />
==Productions== *I'm Your Man (1992) *Mr. Payback: An Interactive Movie (1995) * Ride for Your Life (1995) * Bombmeister (unreleased)
==Reception== Outside of the novelty of the interactive nature of the films, aspects such as the writing, acting, and production values were noted to be of poor quality.<ref name="InterfilmBook" /> Critical reception was also dismal with Roger Ebert of the ''Chicago Sun Times'' giving ''Mr. Payback'' a half-star out of a possible four, and called it "the kind of film where horrified parents might encourage the kids to shout at the screen, hoping the noise might drown out the flood of garbage."<ref>{{cite news|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=Mr. Payback|work=Chicago Sun-Times|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mr-payback-1995|url-status=live|access-date=2009-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001214121/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19950217/REVIEWS/502170304/1023|archive-date=October 1, 2012}}</ref> He and Gene Siskel both commented that while the concept of combining film with interactivity has possibilities, they are not explored by ''Mr. Payback'', which centers on bathroom humor and appeals to the audience's most sadistic urges.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Brady Bunch Movie, Just Cause, Billy Madison, Mr. Payback, 1995 |url=https://siskelebert.org/?p=5504 |website=Siskel and Ebert Movie Reviews |access-date=28 July 2019}} Event occurs at 9:43-13:35.</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Defunct film and television production companies of the United States Category:Defunct American film studios Category:Interactive films Category:American companies established in 1992