(Feb 22, 2005)
Warner Independent Ascends to "Paradise Now" with North American/U.K. Rights Deal - by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE Award-winning Berlin 2005 feature "Paradise Now" by Hany Abu-Assad has been acquired by Warner Independent Pictures in a North American and U.K. rights deal. Mark Gill, president of the L.A. based distributor announced the pact Tuesday. WIP senior vice president, production and acquisitions, Paul Federbush negotiated the deal with Hengameh Panahi and Charlotte Mickie of Celluloid Dreams....
(Feb 18, 2005)
Strand Grabs "Mariscos Beach" As EFM '05 Winds Down - by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE The European Film Market here in Berlin is wrapping up with sellers packing up booths inside the DaimlerChrysler Atrium and many buyers already back home or taking long weekends elsewhere in Europe. On the final day of the EFM here, U.S. based Strand Releasing and French BAC Films announced that Strand has nabbed the U.S. rights to...
(Feb 14, 2005)
At A Growing Market in Berlin, Only a Few Standouts So Far - by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE While European Film Market attendees are already buzzing about the anticipated move to the larger Martin-Gropius-Bau exhibition site next year, a 10-minute walk from the current crowded EFM site in Potsdamer Platz, the 2005 market is proving to be busy for some buyers and sellers. That said, other U.S. acquisitions folks are hoping that a few more...
(Feb 11, 2005)
Picture This Nabs "Napola" - With the European Film Market underway here in Berlin, concurrent with the annual Berlinale, Picture This! Entertainment has announced its acquisition of all North American rigths to the German film "Napola", from Bavaria Film International. The film, directed by Dennis Gansel, was the audience award winner at the 2004 Hamptons International Film Festival last fall. It also received the EuropaCinema...
(Jan 31, 2005)
Focus Deal for "Brick" is Latest from Sundance '05 - Focus Features has acquired worldwide rights to Rian Johnson's "Brick" in a $2 million deal that was announced Sunday at Sundance. Its the latest deal at a market that was busy with buyers paying big bucks for fest films. "Brick," honored on Saturday here in Park City with a Special Jury Prize for Originality of Vision, is a high school...
(Jan 27, 2005)
Another Comedy Acquired, "Pretty Persuasion" at Goldwyn/Roadside - by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE In the third deal today for a comedy announced today at Sundance, Samuel Goldwyn Films and Roadside Attractions have acquired North American rights to Marcos Siega's Sundance American Dramatic Competition film, "Pretty Persuasion". The company announced Thursday that it will release the movie during the late summer of this year. Siega's "Persuasion" is the story of Kimberly...
(Jan 27, 2005)
Warner Independent Acquires "Strangers With Candy" - By Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE North American rights to Paul Dinello's "Strangers With Candy", a Park City at Midnight presentation here at Sundance, have been acquired by Warner Independent Pictures, the company announced today. The film is based on the popular Comedy Central show of the same name. It was written by Amy Sedaris, Paul Dinello, and Stephen Colbert and was produced...
(Jan 27, 2005)
ThinkFilm Goes for "Aristocrats" - by Eugene Hernandez ThinkFilm has closed a deal for Paul Provenza's Sundance American Documentary Competition entry,"The Aristocrats". The comedic doc depicts an impressive array of more than 100 comedians telling a legendarily dirty joke, improvising the material on camera. The film was conceived by comedians Penn Jillette & Paul Provenza, and also features George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Gilbert Gottfried, Paul...
(Jan 27, 2005)
At Slamdance, Paramount Classics Wins "Mad Hot" Doc - by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE Marilyn Agrelo's "Mad Hot Ballroom", the opening night film at Slamdance this year, was acquired in a rare deal to close during the alternative festival. Paramount Classics excitedly announced the pact on Thursday after making a play for the movie following a packed Tuesday afternoon showing of the film at The Treasure Mountain Inn on Main...
(Jan 26, 2005)
Focus Gets "On A Clear Day" - Gaby Dellal's "On a Clear Day", from Sundance's World Dramatic Competition, has been acquired for North American distribution by Focus Features, the company announced today. The film, starring Peter Mullan, is the story of a laid-off middle-aged man who is hoping to swim the English Channel. It is the only British feature screening in the world competition this year. Dellal...
(Jan 25, 2005)
Lions Gate Gets "Candy" - Lions Gate Films has announced its second acquisition in as many days, nabbing worldwide rights (minus UK, Spain and Australia) to David Slade's "Hard Candy". Yesterday the company announced its deal for David LaChapelle's doc, "Rize." Described in an announcement as, "A risky game of cat and mouse between a teenage girl and an older man, where the tables are...
(Jan 24, 2005)
USA Networks Nabs "Ring of Fire" - U.S. rights to Sundance documentary competition film, "Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story", directed by Dan Klores and Ron Berger has been acquired by USA Network, Bonnie Hammer, president of USA Network and Sci Fi Channel announced. USA Network will air the film in April, 2005. "Ring of Fire," which premiered at Sundance Saturday, is the story of a...
(Jan 23, 2005)
Paramount and MTV Films Take Worldwide Rights to "Hustle & Flow" in Major Sundance Deal - by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE Paramount Pictures has acquired Sundance dramatic competition feature "Hustle & Flow" by Craig Brewer as part of a three-film $16 million package deal with producer John Singleton, the studio announced Sunday. Paramount will release the film in cooperation with corporate sibling MTV this summer. Ruth Vitale and David Dinerstein, co-presidents of Paramount Classics, spearheaded the deal with...
(Jan 23, 2005)
$16 Million Deal At Sundance - Paramount Pictures announced this afternoon a major deal for worldwide rights to Craig Brewer's "Hustle & Flow." The company, which will partner with MTV Films, paid $9 million for the worldwide rights to Brewer's film and will finance two other $3.5 million movies to be produced by John Singleton. A complete story will be published on indieWIRE.com....
(Jan 19, 2005)
Strand Picks Up Sundance '05 Competition Film "Tony Takitani" - by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE Strand Releasing has acquired North American rights to Jun Ichikawa's "Tony Takitani," which will have its US premiere at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival in the world dramatic competition section, the company announced Wednesday. The deal was negotiated on behalf of Celluloid Dreams by Charlotte Mickie and on behalf of Strand Releasing by co-Presidents, Jon Gerrans and...
(Jan 19, 2005)
Docurama Acquires 6 Recent Sundance Films for DVD - by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE New Video's DVD doc label, Docurama, has announced the acquisition of six titles from past editions of the Sundance Film Festival. Set to be released on DVD this year are "The Arthur Dong Collection: Stories from the War on Homosexuality" (it includes "Coming Out Under Fire", "Family Fundamentals", and "Licensed to Kill,"), Abby Epstein's "V-Day: Until the...
