MUMBAI: HBO Films in the US has announced plans to develop and produce low-budget comedies for theatrical release.

The films will be released through Picturehouse, the HBO and New Line Cinema jointly-owned film distribution company. In its first move to tackle this new initiative, HBO Films has signed an exclusive agreement with film producer, Elysa Koplovitz, who works under her company banner, Good Kop Films.

HBO Films executive VP, Keri Putnam, says, Elysa has a great track record in comedies and a keen eye for finding new talent, and were thrilled to be working with her. Historically, HBO has enjoyed strong relations with producers and creators of comedy and we now hope to further build upon those with projects for the big screen.

Prior to opening up Good Kop Films, Koplovitz served as sole producer on the upcoming Mike Judge film Idiocracy starring Luke Wilson, Maya Rudolph and Dax Shepard. The follow up to Office Space will be released by Twentieth Century Fox.