IFC helps grow Apple's iTunes film catalog

The number of motion picture flicks over at Apple's iTunes Store continued to swell this week, with IFC Entertainment announcing that its independent theatrical film catalog is on its way to the industry-leading download service.

As part of the announcement, IFC's said it would deliver to iTunes shoppers all of its 2007 Independent Spirit Award nominees. The Spirit Award is the premier award for the independent film community, for which IFC Entertainment recently received the most nominations of any one film company.

"By making IFC films available on the world's most popular online movie store we're giving independent filmmakers the exciting opportunity to reach a wider audience of movie enthusiasts," said Lisa Schwartz, IFC's senior vice president of sales and business development.

Available immediately for purchase and download are 13 IFC films, 6 of which are nominated for the upcoming Spirit Awards to be held on Saturday, February 24th.

The firm's nominations include Best Male Lead for Forest Whitaker in American Gun, Best Female Lead for Michelle Williams in Land of Plenty and Best Female Lead for Robin Wright Penn in Sorry, Haters.

The first IFC films available on iTunes will also include previous nominees to highlight the best independent films from the firm's extensive catalog.

"We're delighted to be adding full length independent films to the world's most popular online movie store," said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. "The passion and creativity of independent cinema means a great deal to film fans and to iTunes so we're thrilled to be adding IFC's remarkable catalog."

Earlier this month, Apple announced that its iTunes Store has become the world’s most popular online movie store, with a catalog of over 400 titles.

All films from IFC will be priced at just $9.99. The studio joins Lionsgate, which added its catalog of independent flicks to iTunes about a week and a half ago.