Everyone knew for months this was going to happen since it was just a matter of time after New Line was brought under Warner Bros. But the news still means that today is Black Thursday for all those people working at Picturehouse and Warner Independent Pictures. You have my deepest sympathies. Both were viable studios. Picturehouse had critical and commercial success with La Vie En Rose and Pan’s Labyrinth which garnered five Oscars between them. And let’s not forget that WIP under 2003 founder Mark Gill’s strong supervision had The March Of The Penguins which he snagged for $1 mil, made gazillions for Warner Bros., and won an Oscar for the studio. Only to get fired after warring from Day One with his boss Jeff Robinov, who then proceeded to make WIP as un-independent of him as possible. Here’s the statement:

(May 8, 2008 – Burbank, CA)  Picturehouse and Warner Independent Pictures will cease operations, it was announced today by Alan Horn, President & COO, Warner Bros.

“With New Line now a key part of Warner Bros., we’re able to handle films across the entire spectrum of genres and budgets without overlapping production, marketing and distribution infrastructures,” said Horn. “After much painstaking analysis, this was a difficult decision to make, but it reflects the reality of a changing marketplace and our need to prudently run our businesses with increased efficiencies.  We’re confident that the spirit of independent filmmaking and the opportunity to find and give a voice to new talent will continue to have a presence at Warner Bros.”

Bob Berney has served as President, Picturehouse and Polly Cohen as President, Warner Independent Pictures. The management teams from both companies will be meeting in the weeks ahead with executives from the Warner Bros. Pictures Group to determine the status of projects in various stages of development and acquisition, as well as distribution of already-dated films.

“Working with Polly and her team at Warner Independent has been great for me personally and a valuable experience for the company,” said Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group.  “I’d like to thank everyone at Warner Independent for their passion and dedication to independent films and filmmakers.  They were involved with some very important films and helped further the talents and careers of a number of writers and directors, and between Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line, we’ll continue to nurture those relationships and produce those types of films.”

“Bob is an incredibly talented film executive and made Picturehouse an important player in the world of independent film in a relatively short time,” said Horn.  “I’m extremely grateful to Bob and the entire team at Picturehouse.  Their accomplishments and the films they created speak volumes about their dedication to and understanding of the art of film.”

Upcoming Picturehouse films include Mongol (June 6), Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (in limited release June 20; wide release on July 2) and The Women (September 12).  Warner Independent’s upcoming releases include Towelhead (August 8/) and Slumdog Millionaire (in limited release starting November 7).

Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.