Filmmaker Crowell Taps VHX to Distribute Marijuana-Smuggling Documentary 'Grounded'

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Apr 7, 2014) - Documentary filmmaker Sean Crowell has partnered with VHX to make his award-winning documentary "Grounded" available online for downloading. People can now buy and download the movie via the "Grounded" web site. "Grounded" traces the lives of marijuana smugglers James and Terry Dougherty (and the law enforcement officers who pursued them) from their Pittsburgh suburb of Pleasant Hills to Colombia and back to the Southeastern United States. Terry Dougherty eventually piloted a DC-4 to Colombia, returning to the U.S. with nearly 20,000 lbs. of marijuana.

VHX is a direct-to-fan distribution platform built for premium video. Documentary fans can buy and download "Grounded" by clicking www.groundedthemovie.com.

"We're thrilled that the 'Grounded' team is using VHX to power their digital release. The film and community they've built exemplify the power filmmakers have to release directly to their fans," said Adam Klaff, head of Business Development at VHX.

"Grounded" won Best Feature Film at the Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival and the "Audience Award" at the Skyline Indie Film Fest in Winchester, Va. The documentary was also an official selection to the Dixie Film Festival in Athens, Ga., and Dances With Films festival in Los Angeles.

"We've chosen VHX to distribute 'Grounded' because it brings the documentary to the widest possible audience, letting people download and watch this film on tablets, smartphones, laptops or any internet-enabled device," said Crowell.

The "Grounded" production team includes producer Liz Newman, a 20-year Hollywood veteran, whose television credits include "Sex and the City" and "SCRUBS," and Andrew Rawson who is the director of photography for the Fox comedy "Surviving Jack." 

"Grounded" is Crowell's second documentary. Crowell and Newman also produced Crowell's first documentary "Bike Lane." Crowell's two-decade resume includes serving as the key grip on "SCRUBS" and the "Hangover" trilogy.

Crowell was born and raised in Pittsburgh. He graduated from The University of West Georgia. And he lives in Los Angeles.

More about "Grounded," along with its trailer, is at: http://www.groundedthemovie.com.