Sony Pictures Classics Picks Up Minhal Baig’s TIFF Premiere ‘We Grown Now’
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American rights to Stage 6 Films, Participant and Symbolic Exchange’s We Grown Now, which had its world premiere in the Centerpiece and Next Wave Selects section at this year’s TIFF. The movie’s writer, director, producer Minhal Baig received TIFF’s Changemaker Award which explores issues relevant to young people and is focused on themes of social change and youth empowerment.
In 1992 Chicago, as Michael Jordan solidifies himself as a champion, a story of two young legends in their own right begins. As wide-eyed and imaginative best friends Malik and Eric traverse the city, looking to escape the mundaneness of school and the hardships of growing up in public housing, their unbreakable bond is challenged when tragedy shakes their community just as they are learning to fly.
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The film stars Blake Cameron James, Gian Knight Ramirez, S. Epatha Merkerson, Avery Holliday and Ora Jones, with Lil Rel Howery and Jurnee Smollett.
“I could not be more delighted to have found a home for We Grown Now with Sony Pictures Classics. We Grown Now is a film that captures the tender moments of childhood resilience and the power of human connection in the face of adversity,” said Baig. “Sony Pictures Classics and Participant recognize the significance of our story’s themes of community and the importance of bringing such a film to theaters. We are beyond grateful that they have recognized this film as part of their incredible canon.”
“We Grown Now is a poignant film that explores the universality of the challenges of growing up and the meaning of home,” added Participant CEO David Linde. “Sony Pictures Classics is an ideal partner to share this powerful film with viewers, and we cannot wait for audiences to see Minhal’s vision come to life.”
“The We Grown Now team is thrilled to join the Sony Pictures Classics family who have always been a home for visionary filmmakers like Minhal Baig and movies with, like ours, big hearts and soaring filmic ambitions,” said Joe Pirro, Head of Production at Symbolic Exchange.
The pic is presented by Stage 6 Films in association with Participant, is a Symbolic Exchange and Participant production. The film is produced by Joe Pirro and Minhal Baig, and executive produced by Jeff Skoll and Anikah McLaren for Participant; James Schamus for Symbolic Exchange; Carrie Holt de Lama; and Jurnee Smollett.
Sony Pictures Classics is releasing the movie with Stage 6 Films. Sony Pictures Releasing International will handle overseas.
The deal was negotiated by SPC, Liesl Copland, EVP, Content and Platform Strategy, Stacey Fong, SVP, Business and Legal Affairs, and Adam Macy, Senior Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs, for Participant and Virginia Longmuir, EVP, Business Affairs for Stage 6 Films.
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