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Fans of “The English Patient” will soon get their wish to see Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche reunite on screen for the first time in 25 years. The pair will star in a new take on Homer’s ancient classic “The Odyssey” called “The Return” as directed by Uberto Pasolini. Bleecker Street has acquired the rights to the film for a planned release in 2024.

“The Return” was first announced in April with both Fiennes and Binoche attached, but the details haven’t firmed up until now. Bleecker Street picked up the North American theatrical rights to the movie out of the European Film Market (EFM) going on now in Berlin. HanWay Films will maintain international rights, and has already locked deals in several territories.

Production on “The Return” will kick off in Greece this spring, filming in Corfu and the Peloponnese, before continuing in Italy.

The film tracks the events at...

HanWay Films handles sales at EFM.

Bleecker Street has acquired North American rights from HanWay Films to historical epic The Return, a retelling of Homer’s The Odyssey which reunites Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche 25 years after The English Patient.

HanWay continues international sales at the EFM and has licensed Benelux (The Searchers), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Turkey (Mars), Poland (Monolith), former Yugoslavia (Cinemania), Baltics (Gpi), the Middle East (Front Row), South Africa (Filmfinity), and Singapore (Shaw). Cinesky has exclusive airline rights.

Uberto Pasolini (Nowhere Special) will direct from a screenplay he co-wrote with Edward Bond and John Collee (Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World...

Bleecker Street continues its acquisition spree with the pick-up of historical epic “The Return,” which reunites Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche.

The project, which will be based on Homer’s ancient classic “The Odyssey,” is directed by Academy Award nominee Uberto Pasolini and written by Edward Bond, John Collee and Pasolini.

The project, announced last year, reunited “The English Patient” co-stars Fiennes and Binoche after 25 years. The pic will also star Venice Film Festival Best Young Actor Award winner Charlie Plummer, with production beginning in Greece this spring in the regions of Corfu and the Peloponnese, before continuing in Italy. Bleecker Street will release the film in theaters in 2024.

Here’s any official synopsis for the film: After 20 years away Odysseus (Fiennes) washes up on the shores of Ithaca, haggard and unrecognizable. The King has finally returned home but much has changed in his kingdom since he left to fight in the Trojan war.

In one of the first domestic deals ahead of this year’s Berlin European Film Market, Bleecker Street has picked up North American rights to The Return, an historical epic based on Homer’s ancient classic The Odyssey and starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche.

Uberto Pasolini, director of Nowhere Special and producer of The Full Monty, will direct the feature from a script he co-wrote with Edward Bond (Blow-Up, Walkabout) and John Collee (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World).

After 20 years away, King Odysseus (Fiennes) washes up on the shores of Ithaca, haggard and unrecognizable. Much has changed in his kingdom since he left to fight in the Trojan war. His beloved wife Penelope (Binoche) is now a prisoner in her own home, hounded by her many ambitious suitors to choose a new husband, a new king. Their son Telemachus, who has grown up fatherless, is...

Bleecker Street has picked up North American distribution rights to Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche historical epic The Return on the eve of the European Film Market. The project, which is directed by Uberto Pasolini, is based on Homer’s ancient classic The Odyssey.

It marks the first time Fiennes and Binoche have worked together since they starred in Oscar-winning title The English Patient in 1996. Charlie Plummer (Lean on Pete) also stars. Script is written by Edward Bond, John Collee and Pasolini and production is expected to begin in Greece in Spring before continuing to Italy.

Bleecker Street is planning a 2024 theatrical release.

Story sees Fiennes play Odysseus who, 20 years after being washed up on the shores of Ithaca, haggard and unrecognizable, finally returns home. But much has changed for this King’s kingdom since he left to fight in the Trojan War. His beloved wife Penelope (Binoche) is now...

A lot has changed in the three years since Sundance was an in-person affair. Streamers now favor production over acquisition and have scaled back their budgets. Box office is still in the throes of recovery — and the indie sector sees the worst of it. No one knows how the hybrid factor will impact the festival, only that it will.

All of that is true, and yet: Optimism abounds.

“I felt like there were fewer titles that were available [last year], and it seems like this year I’m gonna be right back to camping out the Eccles for four or five days, which is great,” Kent Sanderson, president of acquisitions and ancillary distribution at Bleecker Street, told IndieWire. “What that yields in terms of the marketplace, I don’t know. Everything is evolving at an even more rapid clip.”

About 20 percent of the 100-plus movies that play Park City are not up for grabs.

Sissy Spacek joins Susan Sarandon, Bette Midler and Megan Mullally in cast.

Bleecker Street has acquired North American distribution rights to comedy The Fabulous Four, with Sissy Spacek joining Susan Sarandon, Bette Midler and Megan Mullally to head the cast.

Jocelyn Moorhouse will direct, from a script she wrote with Jenna Milly and Ann Marie Allison, and principal photography is set to begin early next year in Australia. Bleecker is planning a nationwide theatrical release.

The comedy about three life-long friends who travel to Florida to be bridesmaids at the surprise wedding of their college girlfriend will be produced by...

Click here to read the full article.

Bleecker Street has nabbed the North American rights to The Fabulous Four, a wedding comedy that stars Susan Sarandon, Bette Midler, Megan Mullally and Sissy Spacek as the titular foursome.

The feel-good film, to go into production in early 2023 in Australia, will be directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse, who co-wrote the script with Jenna Milly and Ann Marie Allison. Their comedy portrays three lifelong friends, played by Sarandon, Mullally and Spacek, who travel to Florida to be bridesmaids in a surprise wedding of their college girlfriend (Midler).

Once there, sisterhoods are rekindled, the past rises up again in all its glory, and there’s enough sparks, drinks and romance to change all their lives in ways they never expected.

Richard Barton Lewis’ Southpaw Entertainment and Goalpost Pictures’ Rosemary Blight will be producing, while Ben Grant, Kylie du Fresne, Gabrielle Jerou-Tabak, Andrew Karpen and Kent Sanderson...

Bleecker Street has acquired “The Fabulous Four,” a feel-good comedy featuring Susan Sarandon, Bette Midler and Megan Mullally.

Sissy Spacek has also newly joined the cast as the final member of the titular fearsome foursome.

The film, directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse (“The Dressmaker”) from a script she co-wrote with Jenna Milly and Ann Marie Allison, is going into production in early 2023 in Australia. Bleecker Street is planning a nationwide theatrical release, though the exact timing is yet to be determined.

“The Fabulous Four” will follow three life-long friends who travel to Key West, Fla., to be bridesmaids in a surprise wedding of their college girlfriend Marilyn (Midler). Once there, sisterhoods are rekindled, the past rises up again in all its glory, and there’s enough sparks, drinks and romance to change all their lives in ways they never expected.

Richard Barton Lewis of Southpaw Entertainment will produce “The Fabulous Four...

Bleecker Street has taken North American rights to the comedy The Fabulous Four, starring Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon (Feud: Bette and Joan), two-time Academy Award nominee Bette Midler (Hocus Pocus 2) and two-time Emmy winner Megan Mullally (Will & Grace), with Academy Award winner Sissy Spacek (Sam & Kate) coming aboard to round out its core cast.

Production is scheduled to kick off in Australia in early 2023, with Bleecker Street planning a nationwide theatrical release. Sierra/Affinity is repping international rights.

The film from director Jocelyn Moorhouse (The Dressmaker) follows three life-long friends who travel to Key West, Florida to be bridesmaids in the surprise wedding of their college girlfriend Marilyn (Midler). Once there, sisterhoods are rekindled, the past rises up again in all its glory, and there’s enough sparks, drinks and romance to change all their lives in ways they never expected.

The Fabulous Four...

The Independent Film & Television Alliance today unveiled new details, as to the programming and speakers to be featured at this year’s American Film Market.

The AFM Sessions put on at the Loews Beach Hotel in Santa Monica as part of the 43rd edition of the industry’s only independently produced sales market will consist of 30+ panels bringing together over 100 speakers from November 2-5, including film industry thought leaders Howard Cohen (Roadside Attractions), Ashley Stern (Picture Perfect Federation), Martin Moszkowicz (Constantin Film), Jeff Annison (Legion M), Jeffrey Greenstein (Millennium Media) and George Hamilton (Protagonist Pictures). Programming highlights include:

Finance: Strategies for Today’s VOD Dominated World

Maxime Cottray, XYZ Films, Peter Graham, 120 dB Films (Principal), Deirdre Owens, Cast & Crew and Jeremy Kay, Screen International (Americas Editor).

Forecasting the Future for Independent Film

David Fannon, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment / Screen Media Ventures, Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film (President and Chairman), Ashley Stern, Picture Perfect Federation / Federation Entertainment of America (President) and Patrick Frater, Variety (Asia Editor).

Theatrical Marketplace Recovery for Independent Films

Howard Cohen, Roadside Attractions (Co-President & Co-Founder), Jeffrey Greenstein, Millennium Media (President), Scott Shooman, IFC Entertainment and Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, (International Features Editor).

Demystifying the Global VOD Landscape

Nick Isaak, Gravitas Ventures (VP of Sales), Peter Jarowey, Vertical Entertainment (Partner / CEO), Jason Pfardrescher, Well Go USA (EVP Digital Distribution), Kent Sanderson, Bleecker Street/ Decal and Stephanie Prange, Media Play News (Editor in Chief).

Inspiration is Everywhere: Accessing & Adapting Existing IP for the Screen

Margaret Boykin, Ubisoft Film & Television, Charles Hopkins, Concord Originals (Director of Development & Production) and James Vanderbilt, Project X Entertainment (Cco).

Independent Features with Big Profit Potential

Miranda Bailey, Cold Iron Pictures (CEO), Brian Beckmann, Arclight Films (CFO), George Hamilton, Protagonist Pictures (Cco), and Pip Ngo, XYZ Films (SVP of Sales & Acquisitions).

The Producer / Sales Agent Dynamic

Clay Epstein, Film Mode Entertainment (President), Delphine Perrier, Highland Film Group (COO), Mary Jane Skalski, Echo Lake Entertainment (President of Production / Producer), and Mimi Steinbaur, Radiant Films International (President & CEO).

The Innovators

Jeff Annison, Legion M (Co-Founder & President), Lindsey Ramey, Wattpad Webtoon Studios (Head of Global Film), Richard Botto, Stage 32 (Founder) and Alex Ferrari, Indie Film Hustle (Founder).

AFM’s programming will kick off the morning of November 2nd with the Finance Conference “The Risk Takers”, featuring Jason Cloth (Creative Wealth Media/Bron), Basil Iwanyk (Thunder Road Pictures), Laura Lewis (Rebelle Media), Milan Popelka (FilmNation), and Erich Schartzel (The Wall Street Journal), as previously announced.

Attendees will also be able to connect with Film Commissions, Government Agencies and Production Service Companies from more than 30 countries, who collectively are offering millions of dollars in production incentives, via AFM’s LocationEXPO. Exhibitors and LocationEXPO partners putting on presentations for participants include The Italian Trade Agency, The Polish Film Institute, The North Finland Film Commission and the Louisiana Office of Entertainment Industry Development.

This year’s installment of AFM will take place at the Loews Hotel and theatres throughout the city from November 1-6. More information on AFM’s current schedule and speakers, as well as its exhibitor list, can be found here and here, respectively. Check out the official poster for AFM 2022 above.

Finance Conference runs November 2-5; AFM runs November 1-6.

Top executives from Constantin Film, Thunder Road, FilmNation, Millennium Media, and Protagonist Pictures will take part in 2022 AFM’s sessions, market heads said on Friday (October 14) as they also highlighted LocationEXPO.

The in-person 43rd edition of AFM in Santa Monica will host more than 30 sessions featuring more than 100 speakers from November 2-5 at the Loews Hotel. Market heads have brought the Finance Conference sessions back to the AFM hub after staging them at Fairmont Miramar for some years prior to the pandemic.

As previously announced, AFM programming will kick off with...

Monday morning, film executives at the Toronto Film Festival woke up to a record-breaking deal for Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” which Focus Features acquired for 30 million, a seemingly healthy sign for the market and the indie-film world.

There was just one problem: “The Holdovers” wasn’t a splashy premiere at the Princess of Wales or Royal Alexandra that had buyers huddling in the lobby but a private screening at the Scotiabank multiplex shown to just a handful of individuals representing all the major studios and streamers on Sunday.

And so far, it’s the only sale on that scale since the festival began last Thursday.

Also Read:

Inside Focus’ 30 Million Deal for Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers’

In fact, outside of Neon’s acquisition of the heist thriller “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” on Tuesday in a competitive situation, TIFF has had no major sales through its first week.

Click here to read the full article.

Bleecker Street has unveiled an exclusive output deal with indie distributor levelFILM for the Canadian market.

As the Toronto Film Festival kicked into gear, Bleecker Street said levelFILM will release north of the border films for which the U.S. partner has North American or worldwide rights. The first title set to be released under the new joint venture will be Catherine Hardwicke’s action comedy Mafia Mamma, starring Toni Collette and Monica Belucci, which is set for a domestic release in 2023.

Bleecker Street’s Kent Sanderson negotiated the output agreement with Avy Eschenasy, while John Bain and Dave Hudakoc negotiated on behalf of levelFILM.

Bleecker Street and levelFILM previously collaborated on the Canadian release of Emma Holly Jones’ Mr. Malcolm’s List, with Freida Pinto; Sundown, starring Tim Roth and Charlotte Gainsbourg; and Together Together, with Ed Helms and Patti Harrison.

Bleecker...

Bleecker Street and LevelFILM announced today an exclusive output deal that will see the latter handle distribution of the films to which the former holds North American or worldwide rights.

“Mafia Mamma,” the action-comedy directed by Catherine Hardwicke and starring Toni Colette and Monica Belucci, is the first title to be released through the new partnership. The film is set to premiere in 2023.

The deal follows a series of collaborations between the two companies, including “Mr. Malcolm’s List,” “Sundown,” “Together Together,” “The World to Come,” “The Assistant” and “Save Yourselves!”

Also Read:

South Korean Crime Thriller ‘Project Wolf Hunting’ Lands North American Deal Ahead of TIFF Premiere

In addition to forming the new venture, Bleecker is showcasing a number of titles at the Toronto International Film Festival, which kicked off yesterday. Frances O’Connnor’s “Emily,” starring Emma Mackey, will open the Platform Program with its debut this week. Other upcoming films are “Golda,...

Bleecker Street has signed an exclusive output deal with Canadian distributor LevelFilm.

The partnership will see LevelFilm handle the Canadian distribution to Bleecker Street’s films where they control the North American or worldwide rights. The first movie that will be released under the new joint venture is Catherine Hardwicke’s action comedy “Mafia Mamma,” which stars Toni Collette and Monica Belucci.

The film is set for a nationwide release in 2023.

Bleecker Street’s Kent Sanderson negotiated the output agreement with Avy Eschenasy, while John Bain and Dave Hudakoc negotiated on behalf of LevelFilm.

Bleecker Street and LevelFilm previously collaborated on several titles including Emma Holly Jones’ “Mr. Malcolm’s List” with Freida Pinto, “Sundown” starring Tim Roth and Charlotte Gainsbourg, “Together Together” with Ed Helms and Patti Harrison, “The World to Come” with Katherine Waterston and Vanessa Kirby, Kitty Green’s “The Assistant” and Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson...

U.S. indie distribution stalwart Bleecker Street has announced an exclusive output deal with Canadian distributor, levelFILM as it heads into a busy Toronto International Film Festival.

The partnership will see levelFILM handle Canadian distribution for Bleecker Street’s films where they control the North American or worldwide rights.

The partnership will kick off with Catherine Hardwicke’s action comedy Mafia Mamma starring Toni Collette and Monica Belucci. The film is set for a nationwide release in 2023.

Bleecker Street’s Kent Sanderson negotiated the output agreement with Avy Eschenasy, while John Bain and Dave Hudakoc negotiated on behalf of levelFILM.

The new distribution partners previously collaborated several titles including Emma Holly Jones’ Mr. Malcolm’s List;, Sundown starring Tim Roth and Charlotte Gainsbourg; Mona Fastvold’s Venice 2022 romance The World to Come, Kitty Green’s The Assistant and Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson’s Save Yourselves!.

Bleecker Street’s upcoming...

First release is action-comedy Mafia Mamma.

Bleecker Street has announced an exclusive output deal with Canadian distributor, levelFILM heading into TIFF, where Bleecker has Frances O’Connor’s Emily playing in Platform.

The partnership will see levelFILM handle Canadian distribution on Bleecker Street films where the latter controls North American or worldwide rights.

The first title to be released under the joint venture will be Catherine Hardwicke’s action-comedy Mafia Mamma starring Toni Collette and Monica Belucci, set for nationwide release in 2023.

Bleecker Street and levelFILM previously collaborated on Emma Holly Jones’ Mr. Malcolm’s List with Freida Pinto, Sundown (pictured...

This year’s Torotnto International Film Festival is back in full force with an impressive slate of movies, in-person crowds and distributors eager to fill up their pandemic-depleted slates. But the acquisition titles on display this year may not be the splashy, commercial, gala movies that once made Toronto unique on the fall festival circuit.

Multiple distribution executives and sales agents told TheWrap that while they were eager to leave behind the “ghost town” of last year’s TIFF and settle in for days of movies and premieres just like it was 2019 all over again, many of this year’s buzziest titles up for sale lean especially toward the indie variety or are playing in TIFF’s Discovery section of emerging or first-time directors.

There’s no shortage of available movies and plenty of buyers with a need to fill out their slates for 2023. But experts are split as to...

Bleecker Street, the indie studio behind “The Assistant” and “Mass,” and online film packaging, financing and distribution marketplace Slated have entered a strategic partnership. It is described as a multi-picture, multi-year output deal.

It’s also an innovative alliance that will see the two companies use new to technology to identify high scoring films from Slated’s curated content pipeline to distribute domestically via Bleecker Street.

Bleecker Street has released more than 50 films to date, including the Oscar-nominated likes of “Trumbo” and “Captain Fantastic.” Its upcoming slate includes “Mr. Malcolm’s List” with Freida Pinto, James Ponsoldt’s “Summering,” an “Golda” starring Oscar-winner Helen Mirren.

Slated is an online marketplace for film financing, sales, packaging, and development. Since its launch, Slated has tried to reinvent how Hollywood makes movies, with artificial intelligence-driven predictive analytics, which rates over 2,000 new projects listed annually. The company offers first-look advantage to investors and distributors. Some...

Partners will identify high-scoring films from Slated’s pipeline.

Bleecker Street has entered into a strategic alliance driven by artificial intelligence with online film packaging, financing and distribution marketplace Slated.

The parties will identify high-scoring films from Slated’s curated content pipeline for US distribution through Bleecker Street.

Slated’s predictive analytics offer first looks to investors and distributors and rate more than 2,000 new projects listed annually. Recent listed opportunities included Sound Of Metal and Loving Vincent.

Among Bleecker Street’s upcoming releases are Mr. Malcolm’s List with Freida Pinto on July 1; A Love Song starring Dale Dickey on...

Bloom handles international sales.

Bleecker Street has picked up North American rights to What They Had starring Hilary Swank and Michael Shannon.

Blythe Danner, Robert Forster and Taissa Farmiga also star in the family drama by feature writer-director debutante Elizabeth Chomko.

Keith Kjarval, Bill Holderman, Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa, Alex Saks and Andrew Duncan serve as producers on the project. Bloom holds international sales rights.

What They Had centres on a family in crisis as two grown-up siblings deal with their mother’s Alzheimer’s and their father’s reluctance to let go of the life he has built with his wife.

Chomkos’s script is a Nicholl Award-winning screenplay. Production wrapped recently in Chicago and Los Angeles and Bleecker Street plans a 2018 release.

“I was incredibly moved by Elizabeth’s story of a family working through their collective issues and the heartache of dealing with a loved one affected by Alzheimer’s,” Bleecker Street...

The New York-based distributor anounced in Sundance it has acquired North American rights to Mark Pellington’s film starring Jon Hamm, Ellen Burstyn and Catherine Keener.

Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy negotiated the deal for Bleecker Street with UTA Independent Film Group, CAA and Josh Braun of Submarine on behalf of the filmmakers.

Nostalgia explores the process of finding love and solace in the artefacts and memories people share with one another.

Rounding out the cast are Bruce Dern, Nick Offerman, Amber Tamblyn, John Ortiz, James LeGros, Patton Oswalt, Annalise Basso, Larry Wilmore and Joanna Going.

Alex Ross Perry wrote the screenplay based on an original idea he created with Pellington. Producers are Pellington, Tom Gorai and Braun, while Perry serves as executive producer.

Bleecker Street holds Us rights to Pellington’s The Last Word that gets its world premiere in Sundance on Tuesday and will open on March 3.

“Mark has assembled an incredible cast to share...

The New York-based distributor anounced in Sundance it has acquired North American rights to Mark Pellington’s film starring Jon Hamm, Ellen Burstyn and Catherine Keener.

Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy negotiated the deal for Bleecker Street with UTA Independent Film Group, CAA and Josh Braun of Submarine on behalf of the filmmakers.

Nostalgia explores the process of finding love and solace in the artefacts and memories people share with one another.

Rounding out the cast are Bruce Dern, Nick Offerman, Amber Tamblyn, John Ortiz, James LeGros, Patton Oswalt, Annalise Basso, Larry Wilmore and Joanna Going.

Alex Ross Perry wrote the screenplay based on an original idea he created with Pellington. Producers are Pellington, Tom Gorai and Braun, while Perry serves as executive producer.

Bleecker Street holds Us rights to Pellington’s The Last Word that gets its world premiere in Sundance on Tuesday and will open on March 3.

“Mark has assembled an incredible cast to share...

The distributor has picked up Us, Latin American, Scandinavian, Benelux and Eastern Europen rights ahead of a December start on the family film starring Dan Stevens (pictured), Christopher Plummer and Jonathan Pryce.

Bleecker Street anticipates a 2017 holiday season release. The Solution Entertainment Group represents international sales on behalf of producers Parallel Films and Rhombus Media.

Bharat Nalluri will direct the film, which takes place in October 1843 as down-at-heel Charles Dickens races to self-publish A Christmas Carol, the celebrated fable that will change his fortunes and transform the perception of the holiday.

Stevens (pictured) will play Dickens, while Pryce will play his father, and Plummer will portray Scrooge. Susan Coyne adapted the screenplay from the novel of the same name by Les Standiford.

Robert Mickelson and Ian Sharples produce, while Paula Mazur, Mitchell Kaplan, Andrew Karpen and Vadim Jean are executive producers.

Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy brokered the deal on behalf of Bleecker Street with CAA for the...

Second World War drama stars Cillian Murphy and Jamie Dornan.

Cillian Murphy and Jamie Dornan star in the Second World War true story about the plot to assassinate the chief architect of the Final Solution, Reinhard Heydrich.

Sean Ellis directed the Ld Entertainment thriller from a screenplay he wrote with Anthony Frewin based on Operation Anthropoid, the top secret mission to kill the Reich’s third in command.

The film follows the two soldiers from the Czech army-in-exile who parachute into their occupied homeland in December 1941 in search of the Nazi.

Charlotte Le Bon, Ana Geislerová, Harry Lloyd, Bill Milner and Toby Jones round out the cast. Ld Entertainment president Mickey Liddell produced with Pete Shilaimon and Ellis.

Bleecker Street CEO Andrew Karpen said: “Sean Ellis’ film drops you right into the centre of resistance in WWII and takes viewers on an emotional ride all the way through its heart-stopping finale. We’re proud...

On the eve of Afm the distributor has picked up Us rights from Myriad to the dramedy with Shirley MacLaine and Amanda Seyfried attached to star.

Production is scheduled for early 2016 and Myriad is financing the project and will continue talks with international buyers at the Santa Monica market this week.

Mark Pellington directs from a screenplay by Stuart Fink about the unlikely friendship that arises when a retired businesswoman conscious of her mortality meets a local newspaper reporter eager to get the scoop on her life story.

Pellington, Anne-Marie MacKay of Wondros and Myriad Pictures chief Kirk D’Amico produce while Aaron Magnani serves as executive producer.

Kent Sanderson, president of acquisitions and ancillary distribution for Bleecker Street, brokered the deal with D’Amico and UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the production.

Talent wishlists also on the agenda during market panel.

European and Us distributors discussed the ongoing importance of festivals and critics to their business and the potential chaos of the Digital Single Market during a Rome market panel over the weekend.

In a wide-ranging discussion, which included executives from Us distributor Bleecker Street, Italy’s Lucky Red and Scandinavian sales outfit TrustNordisk, the panel agreed that - at a time when a glut of films are being produced - festivals still provide an important stamp of differentiation.

TrustNordisk head of sales Susan Wendt said: “There are more and more films out there so festivals help to get films recognition. It’s about awareness. You need a stamp for films to travel. You only have one shot to get the film going and they have shorter and shorter international lives.”

However, Lucky Red’s head of acquisitions and business affairs, Stefano Massenzi, cautioned that some...

Drone thriller starring Helen Mirren and Aaron Paul sold by eOne.

Bleecker Street has acquired Us rights to Gavin Hood’s drone thriller Eye In The Sky from Entertainment One (eOne) in a deal believed to be worth $2m-$3m.

The film, which received its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday (Sept 10), will be made available online through Amazon Prime following its theatrical run as part of Bleecker Street’s deal with Amazon Studios.

Eye In The Sky stars Helen Mirren as Colonel Katherine Powell, a UK-based military officer, who is remotely commanding a top secret drone operation to capture terrorists in Kenya. The mission quickly escalates when news of a deadly suicide mission spreads and Us pilot Steve Watts, played by Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul, is conflicted when a nine-year old girl walks into the kill zone.

The film also stars Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips), Alan Rickman, Iain Glen, and Phoebe Fox...

Andrew Karpen's Bleecker Street has announced its first key hires as the new U.S. distribution company makes its debut at the Toronto Film Festival. Jack Foley has been named president of distribution, while Myles Bender will serve as president of marketing and creative advertising. Tyler Dinapoli has joined Bleecker Street as president of marketing, media and research, and Kent Sanderson as president of acquisitions and ancillary distribution. All four executives worked with Karpen at Focus Features. Karpen and his team will be aggressively scouting for films at Toronto. The New York-based Bleecker Street intends to release three to

read more...

Digital distribution company GoDigital, Inc. and Variance Films are merging and will rebrand as Amplify, a new all-rights film distribution company, it was announced today by GoDigital CEO Logan Mulvey and Variance Films President Dylan Marchetti. Marchetti will serve as Amplify's Executive Vice President of Theatrical Distribution & Marketing and will join Kent Sanderson in Amplify’s New York City office. Sanderson was recently brought on to serve as Executive Vice President of Distribution & Merchandising from Focus Features. Mulvey will function as Amplify's CEO, overseeing operations and administration, and will work directly with Marchetti and Sanderson to lead the merged company. The new company plans to release 7-10 films per year across all platforms, with an emphasis on matching quality films with the proper release strategy on a film-by-film basis, whether that be a day and date, traditional, or completely...

Putting another serious Sundance buyer on the board on the eve of the festival, digital movies aggregator GoDigital is merging with independent theatrical counterpart Variance Films to create an all-new, all-rights company that will rebrand as Amplify, the companies announced Wednesday. Amplify plans to release seven to 10 films per year across all platforms, and is sending a full contingent to Park City to look for titles. The new company will be on the lookout for bigger movies than either had pursued separately — films with named cast and breakout potential. Also read: GoDigital Hires Former Focus Features Exec Kent Sanderson On.

Top brass at both companies have launched an all-rights distributor and will attend Sundance to hunt for product.

Amplify will release seven to 10 films a year across all platforms in bespoke patterns that best suit the title.

GoDigital and Variance will continue to exist as separate brands and operate their digital and independent and international cinema specialties, respectively.

GoDigital CEO Logan Mulvey (pictured) will serve as Amplify CEO. Variance Films president Dylan Marchetti becomes evp of theatrical distribution and marketing and will join former Focus Features executive Kent Sanderson, the new company’s evp of distribution and merchandising, in the New York City office.

“Dylan and his team at Variance are among the best in the business as theatrical distributors and marketers, and I am truly looking forward to seeing their talents applied to a wider array of films at Amplify,” said Mulvey.

“For the last five-and-a-half years, Variance has had the privilege of helping everyone from first-time...

GoDigital has hired former Focus Features executive Kent Sanderson to run its distribution and merchandising divisions, the company said Monday. Sanderson will soon head to the Sundance Film Festival to acquire films for GoDigital, which distributes films via video-on-demand and digital platforms like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu. Much of Sanderson’s job will be overseeing GoDigital relationships with cable and satellite companies, and digital storefronts. Past GoDigital releases include “She wants me,” a comedy starring Josh Gad, and “The Punk Syndrome,” a film about Finish punk band Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät that screened at South by Southwest last year. Sanderson joins GoDigital from the recently.

Former Focus Features exec Kent Sanderson has been named executive vp distribution and merchandising at GoDigital. GoDigital distributes film and music via digital platforms. Its last release was the music documentary Sample This while one of its next movies will be Dumbbells, a comedy starring Carl Reiner and Jay Mohr among others. At GoDigital, Sanderson will oversee “the company’s cable, satellite and digital platform relationships as well as manage content windowing and marketing opportunities with the various digital retailers,” according to the company. Story: Former Focus CEO James Schamus to be Honored at Writers Guild Awards He will also

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Peter Lawson has joined Open Road Films in the newly created position of evp, production and acquisitions. CEO Tom Ortenberg made the announcement on January 6. Separately, Kent Sanderson has joined GoDigital.

Open Road svp of acquisitions Ben Cotner recently left his post.

Lawson arrives from Thunder Road, where he served as president of production for two years.

Prior to joining Thunder Road he was evp, acquisitions and co-productions at The Weinstein Company.

Kent Sanderson, who most recently played a central role in day-to-day operations at Focus Features’ VOD service Focus World, has joined GoDigital as evp of distribution and merchandising. He will report to GoDigital CEO Logan Mulvey.

Tribeca Film, the distribution label of Tribeca Enterprises, and Focus World, the alternative distribution initiative owned and operated by Focus Features, have teamed to acquire U.S. rights to Greetings from Tim Buckley, a captivating exploration of two generations of musicians - Tim Buckley and Jeff Buckley. The film spotlights a powerhouse lead performance by Penn Badgley as Jeff Buckley.

The movie's world premiere at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival garnered strong praise. Here's what the Hollywood Reporter had to say.

"Penn Badgley [gives] a vibrant, break-out performance... Daniel Algrant's lyrical recreation of a father-son relationship seen over time, through memory and music, has a sense of urgent originality."

Here's what Entertainment Weekly said in their review.

"[Badgley's] a great singer - he does an eerily perfect impersonation ... but what draws you to him in this movie is his private, almost invisible woe."

The film is directed by Daniel Algrant (People I Know...

Focus World has acquired U.S. rights to the survival drama “The Deep,” which is Iceland’s official submission for the best foreign-language film Oscar. A division of Focus Features, Focus World will release the film on digital platforms in the first half of 2013. Directed by Baltasar Kormákur (“Contraband”), “The Deep” tells the true story of a downed fishing boat and the only man who survived the tragedy. “The Deep,” which Kormákur wrote with playwright Jon Atli Jonasson, screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Kormákur also produced along with Agnes Johansen; Lilja Palmadottir and David Linde are executive producers. Focus World execs Avy Eschenasy and Kent Sanderson negotiated the deal with Wme Global. Launched in 2011, Focus World most recently released “1/2 Revolution” on VOD and iTunes. Kormákur also has a foot in the English-language...

Focus World, the alternative distribution initiative owned and operated by Focus Features, has acquired U.S. rights to the riveting drama The Deep, directed by Baltasar Kormákur (director of this year.s Contraband and next year.s 2 Guns). The announcement was made today by Focus President Andrew Karpen. The Deep will be released in the first half of 2013.

The Deep has been selected as Iceland.s official submission for the 2013 Academy Awards, in the Best Foreign-Language Film category. Directed, produced, and co-written by Mr. Kormákur, The Deep dramatizes an astonishing true incident about the sole survivor of a downed fishing boat. An ordinary man.s will to live made him a reluctant national hero . one whose truly fearless act was to journey home. The film screened at the Mill Valley and Toronto International Film Festivals after being a box office smash in its home country. Bac Films is handling foreign sales of The Deep.

In anticipation of the limited theatrical and VOD release of Nacho Vigalondo's Extraterrestrial (or Extraterrestre for you purists out there), we've got a super short teaser trailer for you to phone home about. Dig it!

From the Press Release

Focus World has partnered with web platform Tugg to release Nacho Vigalondo's sci-fi comedy "Extraterrestrial" in theaters and VOD on June 15th.

Film will open in select cities including Brooklyn, Seattle and North Hollywood, as well as Alama Drafthouse locations in Texas. As part of the unique distribution strategy, pic will also be available for audiences nationwide to create their own theatrical screenings through the Tugg platform, where an individual can create personalized theatrical screenings by selecting the date, time, and theater of their choice, and then spreading the word. Once enough people commit to attending, the event will be confirmed and fans can host their own screening of the movie.

Great. Now we've got the damned theme from E.T. lodged in our skulls. In any event Nacho Vigalondo's out of this world horror/sci-fi/comedy Extraterrestrial or Extraterrestre is coming home and we've got your details right here!

From the Press Release

Focus World has partnered with web platform Tugg to release Nacho Vigalondo's sci-fi comedy "Extraterrestrial" in theaters and VOD on June 15th.

Film will open in select cities including Brooklyn, Seattle and North Hollywood, as well as Alama Drafthouse locations in Texas. As part of the unique distribution strategy, pic will also be available for audiences nationwide to create their own theatrical screenings through the Tugg platform, where an individual can create personalized theatrical screenings by selecting the date, time, and theater of their choice, and then spreading the word. Once enough people commit to attending, the event will be confirmed and fans can host...

New York, April 17th, 2012 – Focus World (www.FocusFeatures.com/FocusWorld), the unique alternative distribution initiative owned and operated by Focus Features, will distribute Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo’s science fiction comedy Extraterrestrial in partnership with Tugg, Inc. The movie will be released in theaters and via video on demand (VOD) beginning Friday, June 15th, 2012, and will also be available for audiences nationwide to create their own theatrical screenings through the Tugg platform. The announcement was made today by Focus President Andrew Karpen. The deal was closed by Avy Eschenasy, Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning, Business Affairs and Acquisitions, with Kent Sanderson, Director, Alternative Content & Distribution. The unique distribution strategy will provide moviegoers with the opportunity to see Extraterrestrial both theatrically, via Tugg, as well as through Focus World’s digital distribution network. While also being available to filmgoers across the country through Tugg, Extraterrestrial will have an initial theatrical...

New York, December 19th, 2011 – Focus World, the unique digital distribution initiative owned and operated by Focus Features, has closed deals on its slate for the first quarter of 2012. The announcement was made today by Focus President Andrew Karpen. The deals were closed by Avy Eschenasy, Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning, Business Affairs and Acquisitions, with Manager, Digital Content Kent Sanderson. The new Focus World selections include The Broken Tower, directed by Academy Award-nominated actor James Franco, which will be released digitally on January 10th; Gaukur Úlfarsson’s documentary feature Gnarr, which will be released February 7th; and Liza Johnson’s Return, which will be released February 28th. Launched earlier this year, Focus World identifies and curates the most exciting voices in international and independent cinema. Part of Focus Features’ multi-platform strategy, Focus World presents titles of genuine vision and originality as premiere releases on Est, iVOD, and VOD, along with DVD and other formats.