Tony Goldwyn’s ‘Ezra’ with Bobby Cannavale and Rose Byrne Sells to Bleecker Street: 2023 Fall Festival Sales
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Because the fall festivals had fewer actors and writers on hand due to the strikes, more independent movies came into the season looking for buyers. And even with AMPTP buyers getting cold feet on some with interim agreements, many titles have already found homes, making it one of the busiest fall festival seasons across Venice, Toronto, and Telluride in recent memory.
Below is the running list of movies that have found buyers.
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Movies Acquired After the Festivals
“Ezra”
Section: TIFF Gala Presentations
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Date Acquired: Nov. 6
Bleecker Street’s second TIFF acquisition is “Ezra,” the family dramedy from director Tony Goldwyn that stars Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, and Robert De Niro. The distributor is planning a 2024 theatrical release.
“Ezra” follows a once successful late-night comedy writer turned less-successful stand-up comic also struggling through the failure of his career and marriage. After moving in with his father, Stan (De Niro), Max and his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) remain at odds on how to best raise their autistic son, Ezra.
The film stars William A. Fitzgerald as Ezra along with Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, and Whoopi Goldberg. Tony Spiridakis wrote the script.
The deal was negotiated by Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy on behalf of Bleecker Street, with CAA Media Finance and Laura Rister on behalf of the filmmakers. William Horberg, Jon Kilik, Goldwyn, and Spiridakis produced. Executive producers are Zhang Xin for Closer Media; Steve Sarowitz, Andrew Calof, Justin Baldoni, and Jamey Heath on behalf of Wayfarer Studios; Richard D. Lewis; Lois Robbins; and Cannavale and De Niro.
“Wicked Little Letters”
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Date Acquired: Nov. 2
Sony Pictures Classics has picked up the North American rights to “Wicked Little Letters,” a period film starring Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley. The film from STUDIOCANAL and director Thea Sharrock (“Me Before You”) will be released theatrically in 2024.
“Wicked Little Letters” is set in a 1920s English seaside town and is based on a true story that’s stranger than fiction. Two neighbors, one a deeply conservative local and the other a rowdy Irish migrant, get caught up in a trial and national uproar when the local begins receiving hilariously profane letters in the mail and assumes they came from her neighbor.
Anjana Vasan, Timothy Spall, Joanna Scanlan, Hugh Skinner, Malachi Kirby, Gemma Jones, Lolly Adefope, Eileen Atikins, and Alisha Weir round out the cast. The script was written by Jonny Sweet (“Greed”).
The film is produced by Blueprint Pictures alongside South of The River Pictures and Jo Wallett. It is executive produced by Anna Marsh, Ron Halpern, and Joe Naftalin for STUDIOCANAL, and Daniel Battsek, Ollie Madden, and Farhana Bhula for Film4. Simon Bird also executive produced with Sweet for Person Pictures.
The deal was negotiated between SPC and STUDIOCANAL, who financed the film with Film4. Sony Pictures’ Stage 6 Films previously acquired additional international rights.
“Memory”
Section: Venice Competition
Distributor: Ketchup Entertainment
Date Acquired: Oct. 27
Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard are entering into the Oscar race. Ketchup Entertainment has acquired the North American rights to Michel Franco’s English-language drama “Memory,” and the distributor plans to release it before the end of the year as part of an awards qualifying run after Sarsgaard took home the Best Actor prize at Venice.
“Memory” premiered in competition at Venice and follows a social worker whose life is blown open when a man follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter profoundly impacts each of them as they open the door to the past. The film also stars Merritt Wever, Elsie Fisher, Brooke Timber, Jessica Harper, and Josh Charles.
The film is produced by Teorema in collaboration with High Frequency Entertainment, and in association with Screen Capital / Screen One, MUBI, and Case Study Films.
Producers are Michel Franco, Eréndira Núñez Larios, Alex Orlovsky and Duncan Montgomery. Executive producers are Moisés Chiver and Paula Perez Manzanedo; for High Frequency Entertainment, Jack Selby; for Screen One, Joyce Zylberberg, Tatiana Emden, Ralph Haiek, and Patricio Rabuffetti; for MUBI, Jason Ropell and Efe Cakarel; for The Match Factory, Michael Weber.
Bart Walker and Jay Cohen at Gersh negotiated the deal with Gareth West.
“DogMan”
Section: Venice Competition
Distributor: Briarcliff Entertainment
Date Acquired: Oct. 26
Briarcliff Entertainment has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Luc Besson’s thriller “DogMan” starring Caleb Landry Jones and is planning a theatrical release in Q1 of next year.
The film is Besson’s first movie since 2019’s “Anna” and his first since being cleared of rape charges from a case stemming back to 2018. “DogMan” was also the first major sales title to land an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA, allowing Landry Jones to promote at Venice.
In the film Landry Jones plays a traumatized dog collector turned drag queen cabaret star who is looking for revenge for his traumatic upbringing. The film opens with his character’s arrest and shows how after being disillusioned with life over and over, only his dog’s love brings him joy. Besson directed and wrote the script. The film costars Jojo T. Gibbs and Christopher Denham.
Briarcliff plans to release the film in association with Russell Geyser and Clay Pecorin’s Rainmaker Films. “DogMan” is produced by Virginie Besson-Silla and Steve Rabineau. The deal was negotiated by Tom Ortenberg and Jessica Rose on behalf of Briarcliff Entertainment and by Gregoire Melin at Kinology on behalf of the filmmakers.
“The Monk and the Gun”
Section: TIFF Centerpiece
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Date Acquired: Oct. 17
Roadside Attractions acquired North American rights to “The Monk and the Gun” from director and writer Pawo Choyning Dorj, which was a critical darling out of TIFF and is also the official Oscar selection for Best International Feature for Bhutan.
The film takes place at a time when Bhutan was becoming the last nation in the world to connect to the Internet and television and as democracy was being introduced to the nation. It follows an elderly lama (Kelsang Choejey) who asks a young disciple (Tandin Wangchuk) to bring him two guns before the full moon to “set it right” amid the dramatic change. The young monk though is only familiar with James Bond films and is brought into contact with a scheming American gun collector (Harry Einhorn).
The film is produced by Jean-Christophe Simon, Hsu Feng, Stephanie Lai, and Pawo Choyning Dorji. Zhang Xin, William Horberg, Lisa Henson, Kris Eiamsakulrat, Chayamporn Taeratanachai, and Janee Pennington serve as executive producers. “The Monk and the Gun” is Dangphu Dingphu: 3 Pigs Production, Journey to the East Films production, co-production with Films Boutique, Tomson Films, in association with Closer Media, Animandala, N8 Studios, Wooden Trailer Prods.
The acquisition was negotiated by Roadside Attractions Co-President Howard Cohen and UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers. Films Boutique will be handling international sales.
“The Home”
Section: TIFF Industry Selects
Distributor: Lionsgate
Date Acquired: Oct. 12
Lionsgate acquired the U.S. rights to “The Home,” a Pete Davidson horror movie that premiered outside of competition at this year’s TIFF. The film was produced by Miramax and was directed by “The Purge” filmmaker James DeMonaco.
Davidson stars as Max, a former foster child who begins working at a retirement home, only to discover that its residents and caretakers harbor sinister secrets. DeMonaco wrote the script with Adam Canto.
Bill Block, who just exited Miramax, produced the film along with Sebastian K. Lemercier. Koh will oversee the film for Lionsgate. Christopher Davis oversaw the deal on behalf of Lionsgate, with CAA negotiating on behalf of the filmmakers. CAA and Thom Zadra oversaw the deal for Miramax.
“One Life”
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Date Acquired: Oct. 9
Bleecker Street acquired the U.S. rights to “One Life,” a drama with Sir Anthony Hopkins about a man who was considered the British Oskar Schindler. The film premiered at TIFF, and the distributor is planning a 2024 theatrical release.
James Hawes directs the true story of Sir Nicholas Winton, who helped rescue numerous children in Czechoslovakia before Nazi occupation closed the borders. The film primarily picks up 50 years later, when Winton became a national hero after he appeared on the BBC show “That’s Life,” on which he was re-introduced to some of the same children he helped rescue, finally helping him come to terms with his own guilt and grief.
“One Life” is based on the book “If It’s Not Impossible…: The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton” by Barbara Winton. Lucinda Coxon and Nick Drake wrote the script. It also stars Johnny Flynn, Lena Olin, Romola Garai, Alex Sharp, Marthe Keller, Jonathan Pryce, and Helena Bonham Carter.
The film is a See-Saw Films production. See-Saw developed the film alongside BBC Film. “One Life” was made with the support of BBC Film, and is a BBC Film and MBK Productions presentation, in association with Cross City Films, FilmNation Entertainment, and Lipsync. Producers are Joanna Laurie, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Guy Heeley. Simon Gillis, Eva Yates, Barbara Winton, Maria Logan, Anne Sheehan, Peter Hampden executive produced. Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy negotiated the deal on behalf of Bleecker Street with CAA Media Finance and Simon Gillis on behalf of See-Saw Films and Cross City Films. FilmNation Entertainment is handling international sales.
“The Beast”
Section: Venice, TIFF, NYFF
Distributor: Sideshow/Janus
Date Acquired: Oct. 9
Sideshow and Janus have acquired all U.S. rights for Bertrand Bonello’s “The Beast,” which world-premiered in the Venice Film Festival main competition before playing the Toronto and New York film festivals. Inspired by a Henry James novella, the heady drama blends romance and sci-fi in centering on Léa Seydoux and George MacKay as star-crossed lovers who meet again and again across different decades — culminating in a near-future world where artificial intelligence reigns supreme and DNA can be purified to make people more productive members of society.
The deal was negotiated by Sideshow and Janus Films with Kinology on behalf of the filmmakers. A theatrical release is planned in the U.S. for next year.
The film is a Les Films du Bélier, My New Picture, and Sons of Manual Production, and is produced by Justin Taurand and Bertrand Bonello.
“Babes”
Section: TIFF Market
Distributor: Neon
Date Acquired: Oct. 5
Neon has acquired the U.S. rights to “Babes,” a film that quietly screened at TIFF not as an official selection but as a market title. The film is the feature directorial debut of “Better Things” star Pamela Adlon and stars “Broad City’s” Ilana Glazer. The distributor has yet to set a release date.
“Babes” is a comedy that follows the aggressively single woman Eden who, after becoming pregnant from a one-night-stand, leans on her married best friend and mother of two, Dawn, to guide her through gestation and beyond. Glazer stars alongside Michelle Buteau, Hasan Minhaj, and John Carroll Lynch.
Glazer co-wrote the script with Josh Rabinowitz. She and Rabinowitz also produced with Susie Fox, Ashley Fox, and Breean Pojunas.
Range Media Partners and FilmNation were financiers on “Babes.” The companies also handled U.S. sales along with CAA Media Finance. FilmNation Entertainment is also handling the international sale.
“We Grown Now”
Section: TIFF Centrepiece and Next Wave Selects
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Date Acquired: Oct. 4
Sony Pictures Classics will release “We Grown Now,” the latest film from writer, director, and producer Minhal Baig (“Hala”). It was a Centrepiece and Next Wave Selects title at TIFF and also won Baig the Changemaker Award.
“We Grown Now” stars Blake Cameron James, Gian Knight Ramirez, S. Epatha Merkerson, Avery Holliday, Ora Jones, Lil Rel Howery, and Jurnee Smollet and is set in Baig’s hometown of Chicago in 1992 at the now-demolished Cabrini Green public housing complex. It follows two best friends who traverse the city looking to escape the mundanity of school and the hardships of growing up in public housing, only for their bond to be tested when tragedy hits the community.
Baig produced “We Grown Now” with Joe Pirro. The film is a Symbolic Exchange and Participant production and is executive produced by Jeff Skoll and Anikah McLaren for Participant; James Schamus for Symbolic Exchange; Carrie Holt de Lama; and Jurnee Smollett.
SPC picked up North American rights and will release it in partnership with Stage 6 Films. Sony Pictures Releasing international has international rights. No release date has been set.
The deal was negotiated by SPC; Participant’s Liesl Copland, EVP, Content and Platform Strategy, Stacey Fong, SVP, Business and Legal Affairs, and Adam Macy, Senior Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs; and Virginia Longmuir, EVP, Business Affairs for Stage 6 Films.
“His Three Daughters”
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Distributor: Netflix
Date Acquired: Oct. 2
Netflix, in yet another major acquisition from the fall festivals, has bought “His Three Daughters,” the newest film from Azazel Jacobs (“French Exit”) that stars Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen, and Carrie Coon. Deadline reported that the film sold for $7 million, but the streamer had no comment on the dollar figure.
Jacobs wrote, directed, and edited “His Three Daughters,” which is a tense, captivating, and touching portrait of family dynamics about three sisters who converge after their father’s health declines.
Jacobs is also a producer along with Alex Orlovsky, Duncan Montgomery, Lia Buman, Marc Marrie, Mal Ward, Matt Aselton, Tim Headington, Jack Selby, and Diaz Jacobs. Executive producers are Elizabeth Olsen, Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Maya Rudolph, Peter Friedland, Neil Shah, and Sophia Lin. The film is a production of High Frequency Entertainment, Arts & Sciences, Tango, Animal Pictures, Talkies Inc., and Case Study Films.
CAA Media Finance handled the sale.
“The Peasants”
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Date Acquired: Sept. 29
Sony Pictures Classics’ second major acquisition out of the fall festivals is “The Peasants,” the animated epic from “Loving Vincent” directors DK Welchman and Hugh Welchman that is also Poland’s Oscar submission for Best International Feature. The film was recently selected over Agnieszka Holland’s latest film “Green Border” after that movie sparked political controversy with the far-right government accusing the film of being “Nazi propaganda.”
SPC picked up North American rights along with Latin America, the Middle East, and Australia/New Zealand. No release plans have been announced.
“The Peasants” is an adaptation of a classic, Nobel Prize-winning novel and follows a woman living in a Polish village in the late 19th century, one that is deeply rooted in traditions and patriarchy, and how she gets caught up in a love triangle between the village’s richest farmer and his eldest son that puts her on a tragic collision course within the community.
Like “Loving Vincent” before it, “The Peasants” has a painted animation technique in which the film resembles a moving work of hand-painted art on a canvas. Over 100 animators spent two years completing the film.
The film was produced by Breakthru Films and co-produced by Digitalkraft d o.o., Art. Shot vsį, Breakthru Productions Sp. z o.o., Canal + Polska S.A., Narodowe Centrum Kultury, Mazowiecki Instytut Kultury, and SKP Ślusarek Kubiak Pieczyk Sp. k., in association with New Europe Film Sales and Carte Blanche, and with the support of Polish Film Institute, Film Center Serbia, and Lithuanian Film Center. It was co-financed by The Polish National Foundation and financed by funds from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage.
The deal was negotiated between SPC, Jan Naszewski of New Europe, and Nick Shumaker from Anonymous Content.
“Daddio”
Section: Telluride and TIFF Special Presentations
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Date Acquired: Sept. 21
Sony Pictures Classics is in exclusive negotiations to acquire the North American rights to “Daddio,” Christy Hall’s debut feature that stars Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn, picking the film up in a competitive situation. Notably, the film was one that signed SAG-AFTRA’s interim agreement that allowed the stars to promote at TIFF, so what remains unclear are any release plans for the film (SPC is affiliated with Sony, a struck company) while the strike is still active.
SPC also picked up rights to the film in Latin America and territories throughout Europe and Asia.
“Daddio” was written and directed by the “I Am Not Okay With This” creator Hall and is largely set inside a New York City cab on a long ride from the airport. Penn plays a grizzled NYC cabbie who picks up Johnson’s character, and the film is a tense character study that examines power dynamics and other philosophical ideas. Per the synopsis: “Their provocative interaction leads to unexpected places with Johnson embodying a fearlessly seasoned New York transplant who more than holds her own as she goes head to head with this spicy cabbie who has truly seen it all, as the two form a surprisingly powerful human connection.”
The film is produced by Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Ro Donnelly, Terry Dougas, and Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis alongside both Hall and Johnson. The project is a production of Johnson’s TeaTime Pictures, as well as Hercules Film Fund, First Love Films, Raindrop Valley, Projected Picture Works, and Rhea Films. The executive producers are Jean-Luc De Fanti, Max Work, Kostas Tsoukalas, and Christopher Donnelly.
WME Independent and CAA Media Finance handled the sale.
“American Symphony”
Section: Telluride
Distributor: Netflix
Date Acquired: Sept. 18
Netflix is keeping busy. The streamer’s fourth acquisition and second documentary in two weeks is Matthew Heineman’s Telluride standout “American Symphony” about the life and career of musician Jon Batiste. Netflix is planning to release the film this year after acquiring it in a competitive situation, and the movie will even get an awards push behind it.
“American Symphony” followed one year in the life of the “Late Show” bandleader Batiste and captured him at a time when he won six Grammys, as he was preparing the American Symphony for Carnegie Hall, and as he learned that his wife Suleika Jaouad’s Leukemia diagnosis had returned.
The film was produced by Matthew Heineman, Lauren Domino, and Joedan Okun and executive produced by Barak Moffit, Marc Robinson, Daniel Seliger, Alice Webb, Steve Farneth, David & Nina Fialkow, Gene Gallerano, Batiste, Suleika Jaouad, and Ryan Lynn. Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground also developed the film along with Mercury Studios and Our Time Projects.
“The themes of resilience and love at the heart of ‘American Symphony’ resonate deeply with us — and we’re thrilled to bring the film into the Higher Ground family. Jon and Suleika’s journey of grace and strength echoes the experience of so many families who are forced to navigate the complications that surface when dreams meet adversity,” the Obamas said in a statement. “For many years, Jon’s music has helped provide a soundtrack to our lives, and we’re grateful for the partnership he and Suleika have offered on issues like voting rights and the fight against cancer. We could not be more proud to join in telling their story and lift up the work of a talented filmmaker like Matt Heineman. Matt weaves a poignant tapestry of courage, love, and music and we are honored for Higher Ground to help share it with the world.”
“Hit Man”
Section: Venice Out of Competition
Distributor: Netflix
Date Acquired: Sept. 18
Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man” starring Glen Powell and Adria Arjona fetched the biggest sale from the fall festival circuit so far, with Netflix picking it up for a reported $20 million, as Deadline first reported. The streamer acquired worldwide rights and is also planning a theatrical component of its release.
Part noir, part comedy, Powell stars and co-wrote Linklater’s film that follows a cop going undercover as a hit man, only for his morals to be tested when he encounters a woman (Adria Arjona) trying to escape an abusive relationship. The film is loosely based on an article from Texas Monthly Magazine.
With strong reviews coming out of both Venice and TIFF, hype was high for this one, and it marks Netflix’s third deal out of the festivals after the streamer bought Lucy Walker’s documentary “Mountain Queen” and Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut “Woman of the Hour.” Netflix also released Linklater’s last film, the animated “Apollo 10 1/2.”
Mike Blizzard, Linklater, Powell, and Jason Bateman and Michael Costigan for Aggregate are the producers on the film, which is an AGC Studios, Shivhans Pictures, and Monarch Media co-production. The executive producers are Stuart Ford, Zach Garrett, Miguel A. Palos Jr., Shivani Rawat, Julie Goldstein, Vicky Patel, Steve Barnett, Alan Powell, John Sloss, Scott Brown, and Megan Creydt.
CAA and Cinetic Media handled the sale.
Movies Acquired During the Festivals
“Sing Sing”
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Distributor: A24
Date Acquired: Sept. 15
A24’s first big splash out of TIFF happens to be for a movie that did in fact sign SAG-AFTRA’s interim agreement, Greg Kwedar’s “Sing Sing.” The distributor is planning a 2024 theatrical release and acquired it in a competitive situation in a seven-figure deal.
Named for the infamous prison, “Sing Sing” is about an incarcerated theater troupe that puts on a play as part of a rehabilitation program. The film’s cast formerly incarcerated actors and is based on a real-life program. But it also utilized a profit participation model in its making such that every member of the film was treated and compensated equally.
Kwedar directed the film and co-wrote it with Clint Bentley. The film stars Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin, Sean San José, and Paul Raci. Bentley and Kwedar are also producers alongside Monique Walton. Executive Producers are Colman Domingo, Raúl Domingo, Michael Heimler, Teddy Schwarzman, Larry Kalas, Larry Kelly, Nancy Schafer, Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin, and John “Divine G” Whitfield. The film was financed and produced by Black Bear, the Marfa Peach Company and Edith Productions.
CAA Media Finance brokered the domestic deal. Black Bear is selling international territories.
“Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa”
Section: TIFF Docs
Distributor: Netflix
Date Acquired: Sept. 12
In what was suggested by some could be a quiet market for documentaries, Netflix came away with one of the titles IndieWire predicted could sell, the latest doc from Lucy Walker, “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa.” The streamer has already announced it will land on Netflix in 2024.
Lhakpa Sherpa was the first Nepali woman to completely summit and survive Mount Everest, but the documentary explores how that recognition and accomplishment didn’t do for her financially what it has for other climbers. Walker stays close with Sherpa and captures her funny, no-nonsense attitude toward climbing and life.
“Mountain Queen” was produced by SK Global Entertainment’s Charlie Corwin, for OBB Pictures, Michael D. Ratner and Miranda Sherman, and for Avocados and Coconuts, Dalia Burde and Christopher Newman. Executive producers include SK Global Entertainment’s Sidney Kimmel, Brian Kornreich, and Jo Henriquez, for OBB Pictures, Scott Ratner, and for Avocados and Coconuts, Amani King, along with Lucy Walker.
“Woman of the Hour”
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Distributor: Netflix
Date Acquired: Sept. 11
Netflix in the first major deal out of the festival picked up U.S. rights and other key territories to Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, a period true-crime thriller called “Woman of the Hour.” An individual with knowledge of the sale told IndieWire the deal was for $11 million. Deadline first reported the news.
The film is the true story of Rodney Alcala, a serial killer who appeared on — and won — an episode of the ’70s TV matchmaking game show “The Dating Game.” Daniel Zovatto stars as Alcala, while Kendrick also stars as his unsuspecting match. Kathryn Gallagher, Nicolette Robinson, Kelley Jakle, Autumn Best, Pete Holmes, and Tony Hale also co-star.
“Woman of the Hour” is based on a script by Ian McDonald that landed on The Black List. It’s produced by Vertigo Entertainment’s Roy Lee and Miri Yoon alongside BoulderLight’s JD Lifshitz and Raphael Margueles. Executive producers are Stuart Ford, Zach Garrett, Miguel A. Palos, Jr., Anna Kendrick, Ian McDonald, Joe Penna, Paul Barbeau, Sean Patrick O’Reilly, Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor, Andrew Deane, and Stephen Crawford.
“Sorry/Not Sorry”
Section: TIFF Docs
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Date Acquired: Sept. 11
The Louis C.K. documentary “Sorry/Not Sorry” produced by The New York Times was acquired by Greenwich Entertainment for North American rights following its TIFF Docs world premiere on Sunday. The film from directors Caroline Suh (“Working: What We Do All Day”) and Cara Mones (“Blackpink: Light Up the Sky”) examines how the comedian C.K. made a comeback to the stage and even won a Grammy, all after he admitted to sexual harassment in a New York Times article in 2017.
The film was produced by The New York Times and Left/Right. The New York Times journalists Melena Ryzik, Cara Buckley, and Jodi Kantor served as consulting producers. Suh and Mones also produced with Kathleen Lingo for The New York Times. Executive producers are Sam Dolnick, Jason Stallman, Ken Druckerman, and Banks Tarver.
Greenwich’s Andy Bohn negotiated the acquisition with CAA Media Finance on behalf of The New York Times
“Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World”
Section: Wavelengths
Distributor: MUBI
Date Acquired: Sept. 8
MUBI has acquired Locarno Special Jury Prize winner “Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World,” the latest from “Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn” director Radu Jude. It’s already been selected as Romania’s Oscar submission. MUBI picked up U.S. theatrical and streaming rights and select streaming rights in other territories.
The film is an absurdist comedy set in two parts about the director of a work safety video and the video’s star who was in fact injured on the job because of the company’s negligence, sparking a scandal that forces the man to change his statement.
“The Crow”
Section: Market
Distributor: Lionsgate
Date Acquired: Sept. 7
In a deal made ahead of the TIFF market kicking off, Lionsgate has swooped in to acquire the U.S. theatrical rights to the remake of the 1994 cult classic “The Crow” with the late Brandon Lee. The remake stars Bill Skarsgård, FKA twigs, and Danny Huston and is directed by Rupert Sanders. The studio plans to release it next year.
Deadline, which first reported the news, said the sale was an 8-figure deal. CAA Media Finance handled the sale.
The revenge film is based on the graphic novel by James O’Barr from 1989. Zach Baylin (“Creed III,” “King Richard”) and Will Schneider wrote the adaptation. “The Crow” is produced by Victor Hadida, John Jencks, the late Samuel Hadida, and the late Edward R. Pressman. The production companies are Davis Films, Hassell Free Productions, Electric Shadow Company, and Pressman Film, now led by Sam Pressman. The film was shot on location in Prague and Munich.
“Fackham Hall”
Section: Market
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Date Acquired: Sept. 7
Bleecker Street has acquired the rights to an upcoming British period comedy film called “Fackham Hall” that has attached Hero Fiennes-Tiffin, Thomasin McKenzie, Katherine Waterston, and Emma Laird. The film will begin principal photography in the UK early next year, and Bleecker Street will release it theatrically in the U.S.
“Fackham Hall” will be directed by Jim O’Hanlon (“Catastrophe,” “Trying”) and is written by Jimmy Carr, Patrick Carr, and the Dawson Brothers. The film is intended to be a spoof comedy send up of period dramas like “Downton Abbey” and “Gosford Park.” The film follows the unlikely relationship between a new porter and the youngest daughter of a prominent family after the epic failure of the eldest daughter’s wedding.
“Fackham Hall” is an Equity production, is being produced by Kris Thykier and Danny Perkins under their label Mews Films. Bleecker Street’s Andrew Karpen and Kent Sanderson are executive producing alongside Anonymous Content’s Nick Shumaker, David Levine, Jimmy Carr, and Patrick Carr. The deal was negotiated by Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy on behalf of Bleecker Street with Anonymous Content and CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers.
“Trailer of a Film That Will Never Exist: Phony Wars”
Section: TIFF Wavelengths
Distributor: Kino Lorber
Date Acquired: Sept. 6
French New Wave master Jean-Luc Godard’s final work, a short film titled “Trailer of a Film That Will Never Exist: Phony Wars,” has been acquired for North American distribution rights by Kino Lorber, which plans to release it theatrically this fall followed by a run at New York’s Film Forum in December.
The 20-minute short film originally screened at Cannes and will next play Toronto in the Wavelengths section alongside works by Chantal Akerman and Pedro Costa, and it will also screen at the New York Film Festival.
Kino Lorber also acquired the North American rights to the documentary “Godard Cinema” from director Cyril Leuthy, which will screen at Film Forum and theatrically alongside “Phony Wars.”
Godard’s final, posthumous work “Phony Wars” is a collection of ideas, references, visuals, and notes from his own archives assembled into a mixed-media collage of history, politics, and cinema that gets inside Godard’s genius. The short is the culmination of an uncompleted feature project Godard was working on before his death in September 2022.
Godard wrote the film in collaboration with Jean-Paul Battaggia, Fabrice Aragno and Nicole Brenez. The film is produced by Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent and Gary Farkas, Olivier Muller, and Clément Lepoutre for Vixens, and co-produced by L’Atelier. The deal for “Trailer of a Film That Will Never Exist: Phony Wars” was negotiated by Kino Lorber Senior Vice President Wendy Lidell and Eva Diederix of Goodfellas.
“Origin”
Section: Venice Competition
Distributor: Neon
Date Acquired: Sept. 5
Neon with a competitive bid landed Ava DuVernay’s film “Origin” ahead of its Venice world premiere and announced along with a teaser that it will release the racial drama theatrically later this year.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor stars in “Origin” as Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson, who wrote the seminal non-fiction book “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.” The book compares racism in America to the caste systems of both India and Nazi Germany and examines how hierarchy, inclusion, and exclusion have shaped our society’s views on race. The film stars Ellis-Taylor as Wilkerson as she grapples with a personal tragedy and sets herself on the path to write the book, finding beauty and bravery along the way.
Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, and Connie Nielsen also star in the film, which was written, directed, and produced by DuVernay through her ARRAY Filmworks banner. Paul Garnes also produced. The deal was negotiated by Tom Quinn for NEON with CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers.
Movies Acquired After Lineups Announced
“Infested” (Previously “Vermin”)
Section: Venice Out of Competition
Distributor: Shudder
Date Acquired: August 24
Sébastien Vanicek directed and co-wrote this French horror debut feature about a venomous spider that escapes and multiplies, trapping its unsuspecting new owner. Théo Christine, Finnegan Oldfield, Jérôme Niel, Sofia Lesaffre, and Lisa Nyarko star in the film.
Shudder will release “Infested” on its streaming service in 2024 following a competition slot at Fantastic Fest later this year. The deal was negotiated by Charades and WTFilms on behalf of the filmmakers and Emily Gotto on behalf of Shudder.
“Inshallah A Boy”
Section: TIFF Centerpiece
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Date Acquired: August 21
The directorial debut of Jordanian director Amjad Al Rasheed follows the story of a mother and her daughter who face destitution after the mother’s husband suddenly passes away — unless she can give birth to a boy.
The film premiered at Cannes in the festival’s Critics’ Week, and Greenwich Entertainment picked up U.S. rights for a release in January following its North American TIFF premiere.
“Housekeeping for Beginners”
Section: Venice Horizons
Distributor: Focus Features
Date Acquired: August 15
Goran Stolevski directs this film about a woman reluctantly forced to raise her girlfriend’s two daughters, a young troublemaker and a rebellious teenager, butting heads and becoming an unlikely family along the way. The film stars Anamaria Marinca, Alina Serban, Samson Selim, Vladimir Tintor, Mia Mustafa, Dzada Selim, Sara Klimoska, Rozafë Çelaj, and Ajse Useini.
No release plans have been set. The deal was negotiated by Jan Naszewski and Katarzyna Siniarska on behalf of New Europe Film Sales
“Evil Does Not Exist”
Section: Venice Competition/TIFF Special Presentation
Distributor: Janus Films and Sideshow
Ryûsuke Hamaguchi’s follow-up to “Drive My Car” landed with the same distributors that launched that film to a Best Picture nomination. It will be released in 2023 following a festival run but does not have a release date.
“Evil Does Not Exist” follows a glamping community that sets up in a small village outside Tokyo, causing unrest among the locals and impacting the town’s ecological balance. The film stars Hitoshi Omika, Ryo Nishikawa, Ryuji Kosaka, and Ayaka Shibutani.
“Riddle of Fire”
Section: TIFF Midnight Madness
Distributor: Yellow Veil Pictures and Vinegar Syndrome
Date Acquired: August 7
Originally debuting at Cannes’ Directors Fortnight, “Riddle of Fire” is an adventure film following mischievous children as they embark on an odyssey when their mother asks them to run an errand. Director Weston Razooli shot the film on 16mm.
“Riddle of Fire” will be released theatrically in early 2024 with a 35mm print touring several cities, and the distributors aim to release other merchandise and board games tied to the film.
The deal was negotiated by Hugues Barbier, Justin Timms, and Joe Yanick on behalf of Yellow Veil Pictures and Justin LaLiberty on behalf of Vinegar Syndrome with Shane Kelly, Mister Smith’s Vice President, International Sales & Distribution, on behalf of Mister Smith Entertainment and the filmmakers.
Movies Arriving with Distribution in Place
[Editors note: The below are movies making world premieres at Venice, Telluride, and/or TIFF.]
“Ferrari”
Section: Venice Competition
Distributor: Neon
Michael Mann’s biopic of the famed car designer Enzo Ferrari stars Adam Driver, Penelopé Cruz, and Shailene Woodley. Neon acquired it in June, and the film already trotted out cast to Venice along with an interim agreement.
“El Conde”
Section: Venice Competition
Distributor: Netflix
Pablo Larrain directs this (literally) biting, gothic satire that imagines Chilean dictator Agosto Pinochet as a blood-sucking vampire. The film launches on Netflix September 15 after a brief theatrical run one week earlier.
“The Killer”
Section: Venice Competition
Distributor: Netflix
David Fincher’s thriller stars Michael Fassbender as a hitman having a psychological crisis. Tilda Swinton, Charles Parnell, Arliss Howard, and Sophie Charlotte also star. The film launches on Netflix November 10 and in theaters October 27.
“Maestro”
Section: Venice Competition
Distributor: Netflix
Bradley Cooper’s Leonard Bernstein biopic that he directed and starred in (prosthetic nose and all) figures to be a major Oscar contender. It opens on Netflix December 20 and in theaters November 22.
“Poor Things”
Section: Venice Competition
Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
Yorgos Lanthimos’ blend of romance and sci-fi stars Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, and Ramy Youssef. It hits theaters December 8.
“Priscilla”
Section: Venice Competition
Distributor: A24
Sofia Coppola directs this biopic focused on Elvis’ wife, with Cailee Spaney as Priscilla Presley and Jacob Elordi as The King. It opened Oct. 27 in limited release and wide Nov. 3.
“The Promised Land”
Section: Venice Competition
Distributor: Magnolia
Nikolaj Arcel’s historical epic about a Danish conqueror fighting the elements stars Mads Mikkelsen.
“The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial”
Section: Venice Out of Competition
Distributor: Republic Pictures for Showtime
What is now William Friedkin’s final film stars Kiefer Sutherland and is a new take on “The Caine Mutiny” military courtroom drama that originally starred Humphrey Bogart. The film will debut on Paramount+ with Showtime on October 6 and on the linear Showtime channel on October 8.
“Gasoline Rainbow”
Section: Venice Horizons
Distributor: MUBI
The “Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets” team comes to Venice with another genre-bending documentary blended with more surreal elements as a group of small-town Oregon teenagers embark on a journey across the American West to reach “The Party at the End of the World” over 500 miles away. MUBI is planning a 2024 theatrical release.
“Fingernails”
Section: Telluride
Distributor: Apple TV+
“The Bear’s” Jeremy Allen White, Riz Ahmed, and Jessie Buckley star in this sci-fi romance from director Christos Nikou. It opens November 3.
“High & Low: John Galliano”
Section: Telluride
Distributor: MUBI
Acquired out of the Cannes market, Kevin Macdonald (“The Last King of Scotland”) directs this documentary about fashion designer John Galliano, whose career was derailed after being caught using anti-semitic slurs.
“The Holdovers”
Section: Telluride
Distributor: Focus Features
Alexander Payne’s reunion with Paul Giamatti screened only in secret at last year’s TIFF and was the largest sale by far, selling to Focus Features for $30 million. It opens in theaters November 10.
“Janet Planet”
Section: Telluride
Distributor: A24
Director-writer Annie Baker makes her debut with this drama about 11-year-old Lacy, her mother Janet, and the three people who come into their lives over one summer in 1991 in Western Massachusetts.
“Nyad”
Section: Telluride
Distributor: Netflix
Annette Bening stars as world-class swimmer Diane Nyad, who aimed to become the first person to swim between Florida and Cuba without the aid of a shark cage, all at age 60. The film is directed by “Free Solo” directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin.
“The Royal Hotel”
Section: Telluride
Distributor: Neon
Kitty Green’s latest reunites her with Julia Garner for a thriller about backpackers in Australia confronted with a group of unruly locals and a dangerous situation gone wrong.
“Rustin”
Section: Telluride
Distributor: Netflix
Colman Domingo stars in George C. Wolfe’s biopic on the life of Bayard Rustin, an activist who organized the 1963 March on Washington during the Civil Rights movement. It opens in theaters November 3 and on Netflix November 17.
“Saltburn”
Section: Telluride
Distributor: Amazon/MGM
Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi star in Emerald Fennell’s follow-up to “Promising Young Woman,” a decadent commentary on the upper class lifestyle. It opens in theaters November 24.
“The Boy and the Heron”
Section: TIFF Gala Presentations
Distributor: GKIDS
Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki directs what is likely his final film about a teenage boy who enters a magical world and encounters a talking gray heron.
“Dumb Money”
Section: TIFF Gala Presentations
Distributor: Sony
Craig Gillespie (“I, Tonya”) directs the true story of how amateur investors on Reddit bested Wall Street and turned GameStop into a “meme stock.” Paul Dano leads the cast, and the film opens in theaters October 6.
“Finestkind”
Section: TIFF Gala Presentations
Distributor: Paramount+
“Finestkind” stars Ben Foster and Toby Wallace as estranged brothers who hatch a deal with a Boston crime syndicate after their debts begin to pile up. Tommy Lee Jones and Jenna Ortega also star in Brian Helgeland’s crime drama.
“Sly”
Section: TIFF Gala Presentations
Distributor: Netflix
Sylvester Stallone gets his own biographical documentary from director Thom Zimny. It hits Netflix November 3.
“American Fiction”
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Distributor: Amazon/MGM
Based on the novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett, Jeffrey Wright stars in Cord Jefferson’s satire as an author who finds wild success writing a book based on every Black cliché he can think of.
“The Burial”
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Distributor: Amazon/MGM
Tommy Lee Jones and Jamie Foxx star in this courtroom drama from director Maggie Betts that is based on a true story.
“Next Goal Wins”
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
Taika Waititi’s long-awaited dramedy stars Michael Fassbender as the new coach of a hopeless American Samoa soccer team that famously lost a match 31-0.
“Pain Hustlers”
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Distributor: Netflix
Emily Blunt and Chris Evans star in this film from David Yates about a bankrupt pharmacist who gets entangled in a criminal conspiracy.
“Quiz Lady”
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Distributor: Hulu
Awkwafina and Sandra Oh star as sisters who have to pay off their mother’s gambling debts by going on a quiz game show. Jessica Yu directs the film that also stars Will Ferrell and Jason Schwartzman.
“Reptile”
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Distributor: Netflix
Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake, and Alicia Silverstone star in this noir in which, Following the brutal murder of a young real estate agent, a hardened detective attempts to uncover the truth in a case where nothing is as it seems, and by doing so dismantles the illusions in his own life. It opens September 29 in theaters and October 6 on Netflix
“Irena’s Vow”
Section: TIFF Centerpiece
Distributor: Quiver Distribution
“Irena’s Vow” is a Canadian and Polish Holocaust drama about a nurse forced to work under Nazi officers who manages to rescue over a dozen Jewish refugees. Sophie Nélisse stars.
“Silver Dollar Road”
Section: TIFF Docs
Distributor: Amazon Studios
“I Am Not Your Negro” director Raoul Peck directs this latest documentary about a Black family in North Carolina that battles decades of harassment by land developers trying to seize their waterfront property.
“Stamped From the Beginning”
Section: TIFF Docs
Distributor: Netflix
Roger Ross Williams‘ documentary brings to the screen Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s 2016 book about the influence of anti-Black racist ideas throughout American history. It hits Netflix November 15.
“Dream Scenario”
Section: TIFF Platform
Distributor: A24
Kristoffer Borgli directs Nicolas Cage as a hapless family man who finds his life turned upside down when millions of strangers start seeing him in their dreams. The film is an offbeat comedy and is produced by Ari Aster.
“Dicks: The Musical”
Section: TIFF Midnight Madness
Distributor: A24
Larry Charles (“Seinfeld,” “Borat”) directs this “depraved” musical comedy that is a twist on “The Parent Trap.” It stars Megan Thee Stallion, Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally, and Bowen Yang as God.
“When Evil Lurks”
Section: TIFF Midnight Madness
Distributor: Shudder
“When Evil Lurks” is a “rural possession thriller” directed by “Terrified” director Demian Rugna.
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