Industry veteran and former Alliance Films CEO Victor Loewy has inked a strategic arrangement to distribute Lionsgate Entertainment films with Cineplex Entertainment and Mongrel Media.

Under the pact, Loewy, Cineplex and Mongrel will jointly handle the Canadian theatrical distribution of films either acquired or produced by Lionsgate.

The deal combines Loewy’s experience with Mongrel Media’s distribution infrastructure and Cineplex’s national reach, according to Lionsgate chairman Joe Drake. Additional details on the arrangement have not been disclosed.

The first film expected to be released through the partnership is the Rian Johnson-directed Knives Out, starring Daniel Craig, which is set for nationwide release on Nov. 27.

The strategic arrangement was negotiated by Susan Hummel and Michael Meyer on behalf of Lionsgate. The company opened its Toronto distribution office in 2017, bringing on Hummel to lead as EVP and managing director for Lionsgate Entertainment Canada.

Loewy departed Alliance Films in 2013 following its acquisition by Entertainment One. Since then he has served in a number of roles, including chair of Elevation Pictures and president of the Canadian Association of Film Distributors and Exporters (CAFDE).