E1 Entertainment head Darren Throop issued a bullish trading forecast Thursday, predicting the Canadian-based producer/distributor’s upcoming full-year results will exceed market expectations after a strong third quarter.

‘E1 has successfully positioned itself as a leading independent content and distribution business and we are looking forward to the year ahead; we have a strong pipeline, and are confident that positive momentum in our business will continue,’ Throop said as company shares shot up over 3 pence to 62.5 pence on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market.

E1 has released 97 films in Canada, the U.K. and the Benelux so far in fiscal 2009, including Twilight Saga: New Moon.

Despite higher revenues, E1 posted a loss for the six months to Sept. 30 on increased costs and one-time items.

Analysts now forecast E1 will post a profit for full-year 2010 on higher revenue and the strong performance of its film slate.

E1 also unveiled plans Thursday for a share placement to fund a repurchase of exchangeable notes at a discount.

The company on Thursday also revealed a deal with River Road Entertainment to handle its films The Tree of Life and The Runaways. The latter, starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning as members of the all-girl rock band from the ’70s, makes its world premiere this month at Sundance and is due in theaters on March 19. Tree of Life, the latest from director Terrence Malick (The Thin Red Line), stars Brad Pitt and Sean Penn.