Bypassing a U.S. theatrical release, the Canadian theatrical comedy Roller Town is to go straight to VOD and iTunes in the U.S. market, via digital distributor Gravitas Ventures.

For the film’s U.S. premiere, Catherine Tait’s Duopoly shingle chose to do the deal with Gravitas Ventures for the first feature by director Andrew Bush that stars the comedy troupe Picnicface.

Gravitas will launch the film in over 100 million homes on demand and on iTunes stateside on August 14.

“VOD has become an indispensable release strategy for hysterical indies like Roller Town. We loved it at the Slamdance Film Festival, and are thrilled to collaborate with Andrew Bush, Picnicface and Duopoly on its release,” Gravitas Ventures CEO Nolan Gallagher said in a statement.

“The Roller Town creators are not strangers to digital platforms in the U.S. and we intend to activate their huge online fan base for this premiere,” Tait said in her own statement.

Duopoly also sold one of its TV series, Showcase’s Pure Pwnage, to Hulu for U.S. distribution, where it also launched other series like Odd Job Jack, Chilly Beach, Yam Roll and Papillon.

Photo: Roller Town / Evany Rosen, Adam Bayne, Mark Little and Kayla Lorette / from Roller Town