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American Film Market title “The Young King” struts into the halls of the Loews Hotel with a rarely depicted showbiz character as its lead. “It’s the first movie to feature a drag king as a protagonist,” said its producers Kim Bailey and Isabel Marden of L.A.-based Corporate Witchcraft.

The pic stars Michael Shannon, Kiersey Clemons and Barbie Ferreira, and is the feature debut of Larin Sullivan, who also wrote the screenplay. It’s set in the drag king scene of ‘90s Las Vegas, where Clemons’ character, Jules, aspires to become a drag king. This does not sit well with her estranged father (Shannon), a gambler and part-time children’s party clown, who sees his daughter not only presenting herself as male but also vying for the attentions of his dancer-friend Ronnie (Ferreira).

Speaking of what inspired her to write the story, Sullivan explained: “When I was coming...

Screen is rounding up the key projects launched before and during this year’s American Film Market.

Screen International is rounding up the key projects launched before and during this year’s American Film Market.

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From the US

The Pack

Alexander Skarsgard marks his feature directing debut with this psychological thriller starring Florence Pugh. Production begins in March 2023. CAA Media Finance and 30West jointly represent US rights.

International sales: The Veterans

Immaculate

Sydney Sweeney produces (with Fifty-Fifty films) and stars in this psychological horror set in the Italian countryside. Michael Mohen will direct with...

Where are all the movies about drag kings? Despite a couple of massively popular shows like "RuPaul's Drag Race" and "Pose" and essential documentaries like "Paris is Burning," the wonderful world of drag spent decades as a largely underground phenomenon. It's arguably gone mainstream now, but the vibrant culture surrounding the world of people who perform masculinity for an audience, as opposed to femininity, is still mostly invisible on screen.

The upcoming movie "The Young King," though, is poised to put drag king culture on center stage. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the upcoming comedy-drama already has the support of GLAAD, while the CEO of Mister Smith Entertainment, David Garrett, says the company is proud to work on a movie that's "shining a light on the drag king scene, which has rarely, if ever, been explored on the big screen." So what's the scoop on "The Young King," and when...

Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals), Kiersey Clemons (Justice League), and Barbie Ferreira (Nope) will be taking on the world of drag. The trio is set to star in the comedy The Young King, the debut feature film of director Larin Sullivan (Anatomy: Soul), and one of the few films to explore the world of drag kings. Made with support from GLAAD, Sundance Institute, IFP’s Project Forum, Tribeca Film Institute, and Inside Out Toronto, the film hopes to explore a vastly underappreciated side of the drag world.

Michael Shannon (The Shape of Water), Kiersey Clemons (Justice League) and Barbie Ferreira will star in drag comedy feature The Young King.

Set in the 1990s drag king scene of 1990s Las Vegas, the feature from Mister Smith Entertainment is the directorial debut of Larin Sullivan.

It stars Clemons stars as Jules, an aspiring drag king who comes to Las Vegas to reconnect with her estranged dad Mick (Michael Shannon), a legendary gambler and part-time children’s party clown, and to make her debut performance in the U.S.’s biggest drag king revue. Mick is less than excited to see his daughter ‘Julia’ presenting as masculine, wearing suits and chasing after Ronnie (Barbie Ferreira), a no-nonsense dancer.

Sullivan wrote the script for the film, which Corporate Witchcraft’s Kim Bailey and Isabel Marden are producing alongside Clemons. Songwriter Justin Tranter,...

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Michael Shannon is set to appear in drag comedy drama The Young King alongside Justice League‘s Kiersey Clemons and Euphoria breakout and Nope star Barbie Ferreira.

The film, set in the drag king scene of ’90s Las Vegas, will mark the feature directorial debut of Larin Sullivan (Anatomy: Soul, Dive), who also wrote the script, and has landed Justin Tranter (Happiest Season, A Star Is Born), the Grammy- and Golden Globe-nominated songwriter known for his work with Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and many others, as executive music producer. Tranter will also create original music for the film, which is being produced by Corporate Witchcraft’s Kim Bailey and Isabel Marden, in addition to Clemons.

The Young King will start production in Q1 2023 in Las Vegas. Mister Smith Entertainment is launching international sales and will present the project to buyers at the upcoming AFM,...

Michael Shannon, Kiersey Clemons and Barbie Ferreira are set to star in drag king comedy drama “The Young King.”

Set in ‘90s Las Vegas, the film marks the feature directorial debut of Larin Sullivan (“Anatomy: Soul”), who also wrote the script, and is being produced by Corporate Witchcraft’s Kim Bailey and Isabel Marden, in addition to Clemons.

Grammy- and Golden Globe-nominated songwriter Justin Tranter (“Happiest Season”) will serve as executive music producer and create original music for the film.

The pic will begin production in early 2023 in Las Vegas. Mister Smith Entertainment is launching international sales and will present the project to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market, with WME Independent handling North American rights.

Kiersey Clemons stars as Jules, an aspiring drag king who comes to Las Vegas to reconnect with her estranged dad Mick (Shannon), and to make her debut performance in America’s big-gest drag king revue.

WME Independent is handling North American rights, with Mister Smith launching international sales at AFM.

UK sales agent Mister Smith Entertainment has boarded US filmmaker Larin Sullivan’s feature directorial debut The Young King, starring Michael Shannon, Kiersey Clemons and Barbie Ferreira.

Mister Smith will launch international sales at the American Film Market, with WME Independent handling North American rights.

Set amid the drag king scene of 1990s Las Vegas, the comedy drama sees Clemons star as an aspiring drag king who heads to Las Vegas to reconnect with her estranged dad, played by Shannon, and to make her debut...

“Dope” star Kiersey Clemons, “Euphoria” actress Barbie Ferreira and Oscar nominee Michael Shannon will star in a comedy-drama set among the drag king scene of 1990s Las Vegas for a film called, “The Young King.”

Larin Sullivan wrote the script for the film and will make her directorial debut on “The Young King,” which Mister Smith Entertainment is presenting to international buyers at the upcoming American Film Market. WME Independent is handling North American rights.

Clemons in “The Young King” will star as Jules, an aspiring drag king who comes to Las Vegas to reconnect with her estranged dad Mick (Michael Shannon) and to make her debut performance in America’s biggest drag king revue. Mick, a legendary gambler and part-time children’s party clown, is less than excited to see his daughter “Julia” presenting as masculine, wearing suits and chasing after Ronnie (Barbie Ferreira), the no-nonsense dancer who he regularly frequents.

Tim Marshall with Christina Radburn (second from left).

Writer-director Tim Marshall’s debut feature Followers is among 10 projects from around the world selected to participate in the Toronto-based Inside Out Lgbtq Film Finance Forum.

Developed from his eponymous short which had its world premiere in competition at Sundance followed by SXSW in 2015, the dark comedy follows Lynn Walters, a grieving widow who sees a vision of Jesus on the shorts of young, queer aqua aerobics instructor Rudi.

Convinced Rudi has been sent from God to heal and reinvigorate her life, Lynn hopes he will somehow fill the void left by her dead husband while he endures a toxic relationship with Jim, his older life coach.

Melbourne-based Frances Wang-Ward and Christina Radburn (who produced the short) will produce, with Robyn Kershaw as Ep.

The fourth edition of the Lgbtq Forum will take place online from May 26-29, featuring one-on-one meetings with reps from Netflix,...