ALEXANDRA DADDARIO AND KEEAN JOHNSON TO STAR IN MARC MEYERS’ “WE SUMMON THE DARKNESS"

ALEXANDRA DADDARIO AND KEEAN JOHNSON TO STAR IN MARC MEYERS’ “WE SUMMON THE DARKNESS”

Maddie Hasson, Logan Miller, Amy Forsyth, and Austin Swift round out the ensemble cast; Highland Film Group to launch international sales in Toronto

Toronto (September 5, 2018) – Highland Film Group announced today that Alexandra Daddario (Baywatch, “True Detective”) and Keean Johnson (Alita: Battle Angel, “Nashville”) will star in Marc Meyers’ (My Friend Dahmer) upcoming horror film We Summon the Darkness, penned by Alan Trezza (Burying The Ex). Maddie Hasson (“Impulse,” Novitiate), Logan Miller (Love, Simon, Before I Fall), Amy Forsyth (Beautiful Boy, Rise), and Austin Swift (Live by Night, I.T.) will round out this all-star cast. Robert Jones, James Harris and Mark Lane (47 Meters Down, The Strangers: Prey at Night, Three Seconds) of The Fyzz will produce and finance alongside Magna Entertainment, with Kyle Tekiela (Mudbound) and Jarod Einsohn of Common Enemy, Christian Armogida of Nightshade Entertainment and Thomas E van Dell of Iconic Media One producing. Andrew Kotliar, Elizabeth Zavoyskiy, Joshua Sason, Rebecca Schaper, Lee Broda, Mike Donovan, Eytan Rockaway and Robert Girard are Exec-Producing with Jody Girgenti serving as co-producer.  Highland Film Group will introduce the film to worldwide buyers in Toronto. 

The killing spree of murderous Satanists has already led to 18 deaths throughout America’s Heartland. Three best friends embark on a road trip to a heavy metal gig. Naive, they bond with three seemingly fun-loving guys and the group heads off to Alexis’ secluded country home for an afterparty. What should be a night of fun and youthful debauchery may instead take a dark, deadly turn. With killers on the loose, can anyone be trusted? Principal photography is currently under way in Winnipeg.

Daddario recently starred alongside Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron and Priyanka Chopra in Paramount Pictures’ Baywatch. She can next be seen starring in the mystery thriller We Have Always Lived in the Castle, which is based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Shirley Jackson. Keean will next be seen starring in Robert Rodriguez’s Alita: Battle Angel by producer James Cameron which will be released by 20th Century Fox in December 2018, followed by RZA’s Cut Throat City in early 2019. He recently completed production on the films Low Tide and Emperor, and will next begin filming Roland Emmerich’s Midway alongside Woody Harrelson, Patrick Wilson and Aaron Eckhart.

Hasson stars in the YouTube Premium series “Impulse,” and has appeared in the Sony Pictures Classics films Novitiate and I Saw the LightMiller recently co-starred in the hit Love, Simon for FOX and will next be seen as a lead in the Sony thriller The Escape Room. Forsyth stars in the highly anticipated Beautiful Boy which will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Credits include NBC’s “Rise,” and Gregory Plotkin’s upcoming Hell Fest. Swift turned heads in his big screen debut working with Pierce Brosnan in John Moore’s thriller I.T. and in Ben Affleck’s feature film Live By Night, for Warner Bros. Pictures. Most recently, he appeared in Cover Versions alongside Katie Cassidy and Drake Bell.

Meyers fourth feature film, My Friend Dahmer, premiered to critical acclaim at last year’s Tribeca Film FestivalThe film tells the story of a young Jeffrey Dahmer as he struggles to fit in in high school, before he became a serial killer. Meyers is also the writer and director of the romance feature How He Fell in Love, which was released by Orion Pictures. 

Daddario is represented by UTA and Untitled Entertainment; Keean is represented by CAA and Management 360; Hasson is represented by UTA and Coast to Coast; Miller by Innovative Artists, Open Bar Entertainment and Atlas Artists; Forsyth by The Gersh Agency and David Dean Management; Swift by UTA and Mosaic; and Meyers is represented by UTA and Aperture Entertainment.

The Highland Film Group slate also includes: Michael Cristofer’s The Night Clerk starring Tye Sheridan; Joe Carnahan’s Boss Level starring Frank Grillo and Mel Gibson; the star-studded Berlin, I Love You with Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley, Jim Sturgess, Mickey Rourke, Diego Luna, and Jenna Dewan Tatum; Lin Oeding’s thriller Braven starring Jason Momoa; and Vaughn Stein’s Terminal starring Margot Robbie, which released earlier this year.

In TIFF, The Fyzz Facility will also debut Matthew Heineman’s A Private War starring Rosamund Pike and Jamie Dornan which Aviron Pictures is releasing in the U.S., and the closing night film, Jeremiah Terminator LeRoy directed by Justin Kelly and starring Kristen Stewart and Laura Dern. In addition, TIFF will mark the Canadian premiere of Elizabeth Chomko’s What They Had starring Hilary Swank and Taissa Farmiga which Bleeker Street will release.

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About Highland Film Group

Led by Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier, Highland Film Group (HFG) is an independent worldwide sales, production and film financing company. HFG provides financing through a combination of pre-sales to help cover senior and subordinated debt, gap, tax credit, and facilitates capital for mezzanine and equity financing.

About The Fyzz

Based in London and Los Angeles, The Fyzz is a prolific production and financing company specializing in feature film content and international television drama series.

The company has invested more than $300m into over 225 feature films with an aggregate production spend in excess of $2bn. As well as co-financing such titles as Taylor Sheridan’s Wind River and Martin Scorsese’s Silence, recent in-house productions include US box office smash hit47 Meters DownThe Strangers: Prey at Night starring Christina Hendricks and Martin Henderson and Jackie Chan’s The Foreigner, which has notched up over $140m box office worldwide.

Upcoming projects financed and produced by The Fyzz include thriller Three Seconds starring Rosamund Pike, Joel Kinnaman, Ana de Armas, Common and Clive Owen, Destination Wedding starring Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder and Final Score starring Dave Bautista and Pierce Brosnan due for theatrical release via Sky Originals this September.

"Living in the Future's Past" Presented by Jeff Bridges - opening in NYC & LA October 5 and Nationwide on October 9

Jeff Bridges’ Award-Winning Documentary ‘Living in the Future’s Past’ Brings a Fresh Perspective on Being Human for our Challenging Times and Asks “What Kind of Future Would You Like to See?”

Opening in Select Theaters on October 5-11 and Nationwide on Tuesday, October 9 for a Special One-Night-Only Theatrical Event

Tickets On Sale Now for the Special Theatrical Event Featuring an Exclusive Onscreen Discussion with Bridges and Filmmakers Following the Film

Vision Films and award-winning event cinema distributor, Trafalgar Releasing announced today that tickets are now on-sale for Living In The Future’s Past, a beautifully photographed tour de force produced and presented by Academy Award Winner, Jeff Bridges who explores who we are, where we come from, how we think and why we do the things we do. Bridges shares the screen with profound thinkers, scientists, and a dazzling array of the Earth’s creatures to reveal profound concepts about ourselves and our future in ways that have never been presented quite like this on film before.  The limited theatrical release will include an onscreen discussion and commentary with Bridges and the film’s collaborators curated exclusively for cinema audiences.

Vision Films and Trafalgar Releasing present Living in the Future’s Past in movie theaters beginning on October 5 in New York, Los Angeles and select markets, with a nationwide event in cinemas on October 9. For more information, tickets and theaters screening Living in the Future’s Past please visit:www.livinginthefuturespast.com Up-to-date screening information can be found on the film website. 

Living in the Future’s Past bypasses ideological traps and looks under the “hood of humanity” incorporating elements of evolution, neuropsychology, emergence, ecology and energy into a paradigm shift in the way we think about environmental challenges.

Bridges joins scientist and astronaut Piers SellersBeing Ecological author Timothy Morton, physicist and Author,Elastic: Flexible Thinking In a Time of ChangeLeonard Mlodinow, former NATO Supreme Allied CommanderGeneral Wesley Clark, and author of Emotional IntelligenceDaniel Goleman among many other experts and profound thinkers.  The stunning original music score is by Bridges collaborator Keefus Ciancia (Lady Killers, Thunderbird, Sleeping Tapes) with additional music by composer Bob Holroyd and award-winning sound designer Ken Polk.

Living in the Future’s Past premiered at Santa Barbara International Film Festival and continues on a highly successful festival journey around the world. The film has been the recipient of many awards across the world including the UN Gold Award for Outstanding Achievement in International Communications, which best exemplifies the ideals and goals of the United Nations. The film also received the Gold Medal for Best Documentary on climate change and sustainability by NY Festivals. Living in the Future’s Past has also been awarded the Special Jury Remi award Theatrical Feature Film Production, Docu Drama at WorldFest Houston International Film Festival, IndieFEST Best in Show, and many more.

 Living in the Future’s Past was produced by Jeff Bridges, Susan Kucera and executive produced by Jim Swift.

Jeff Bridges says: “LIVING IN THE FUTURES PAST is a metaphor for what’s already here. Our movie takes a good look under the hood of humanity. It incorporates elements of evolution, emergence, energy, psychology, to show how these effect our environment, our planet. It’s not fear that should drive us to act. It’s love. Like Teddy Roosevelt said “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Living in the Future’s Past is a bright and intellectually honest film,” says Director Susan Kucera. “As Jeff says in the film “it all sounds pretty trippy, and it is” but the film allows us to get friendly with our natural ability to reason.”

Senior Vice President of Programming for Trafalgar Releasing, Kymberli Frueh, comments: “With so much conversation around conservation and what we can do personally to protect our environment for future generations, this is a perfect social cause documentary that is meant to educate, inspire and create dialogue among attendees on a community level at local cinemas.”

Managing Director / CEO of Vision Films Lise Romanoff says: “‘This documentary doesn’t fall into the same polarizing traps of many films that address the issues of humanity and the environment and offers a completely fresh and unique point of view that we are thrilled to be bringing to life for audiences nationwide.”

View Trailer: https://youtu.be/KZvAPyLXJUk

#LivingInTheFuturesPast

Livinginthefuturespast.com

FIRST TRAILER AND POSTER BREATHE LIFE INTO THE GOLEM

In anticipation of the European premiere at FrightFest, Epic Pictures is proud to present a new trailer and poster for The Golem, the new feature film from the directors of Jeruzalem. The film will continue its festival run including a slot at Sitges International Film Festival before debuting in the States in February 2019.

Film Synopsis: The Golem follows a woman in a devout Jewish community that is besieged by foreign invaders who believe that the Jews have cursed them with a plague. In order to protect her village, the woman conjures a creature in the visage of her deceased child which turns out to be more dangerous than she ever imagined.

The Golem was directed by Doron and Yoav Paz (Jeruzalem), written by Ariel Cohen, produced by Shalom Eisenbach, executive produced by Patrick Ewald (Redcon-1) and Shaked Berenson (Turbo Kid). The film stars Ishai Golen (Prisoners of War) and Hani Furstenberg (The Loneliest Planet).

About Epic Pictures
Established in 2007, Epic Pictures Group has grown to become one of the most creative and dynamic independent studios. Focusing on filmmaker-driven projects. Epic often helps shape them from script to launch via its domestic distribution division, Epic Pictures Releasing. Epic Pictures Group seeks out relationships with exceptional producers and talent in order to secure A-level, high-quality projects. Epic Pictures Group actively develops a full range of new relationships and strategic alliances with financers, independent production companies, producers and studios both domestically and in Europe and Asia. Epic Pictures recently acquired Dreadcentral.com and now features horror titles through Dread Central Presents.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/epicpicturesgroup
Twitter: @epic_pictures
Website: https://epic-pictures.com

VALPARAISO PICTURES LAUNCHES; ELIZABETH CHOMKO TO ADAPT “AFTER PERFECT” WITH MATT REEVES TO PRODUCE

David Carrico today announced the launch of his Los Angeles-based film and television development, production and finance banner Valparaiso Pictures.  As an incubator for edgy, eccentric, and diverse content, the new venture is setting out to create opportunities for distinct voices in drama, comedy and genre, enabling and championing creatives to find their audience.  The banner’s first project is After Perfect, written by Elizabeth Chomko (What They Had). Valparaiso is producing the adaptation alongside Matt Reeves’ banner 6th & Idaho Productions and Joshua Thurston.

Based on bestselling author Christina McDowell’s memoir of the same name, After Perfect is a cautionary tale about one family’s destruction in the wake of the Wall Street implosion. The story follows Christina who grew up in an affluent Washington, D.C. suburb living a life of luxury which was brutally stripped away after her father was arrested on fraud charges. Foundry Literary + Media handled the book rights on behalf of McDowell.

“We’re so excited to be launching Valparaiso with After Perfect and the talented Elizabeth,” said Carrico.  “It’s an exciting time in the media industry, and we’re thrilled to be here to champion our fellow filmmakers, whether it’s finding untold stories to bring to the screen, or enabling burgeoning writers and filmmakers to take creative risks.”

Chomko most recently wrote and directed Bleecker Street’s What They Had starring Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon and Taissa Farmiga.  The film, Chomko’s directorial debut, will be making its international Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. 

Carrico is an entrepreneur and venture capitalist who previously co-founded CMG LLC, a music and entertainment technology consulting firm; EvntLive Inc, a digital interactive concert platform that was acquired by Yahoo! in 2013; and PrimeMind, Inc, a digital media company.  Carrico has also invested in and advised more than 20 startups across a variety of industries.

In addition, Bobby Hoppey has joined the company as the Director of Development.  He was previously at Echo Lake Entertainment, an independent production company and financier. During his tenure, Hoppey managed the film division's slate and worked closely with the company's talent management division and clients, including Dakota and Elle Fanning.

The company is in active development on a slate of projects as well as adapting shorts into feature length films and TV projects. In addition to After Perfect, Valparaiso Pictures is also behind shorts such as Lucas Amann’s Peopling and Stranger Thing’s writer & Blacklist alum Kate Trefry’s How to Be Alone with Maika Monroe, and James Gallaghers’ Love, starring Susan Sarandon and Boris McGiver. 

Breaking Glass Pictures Releases Tender Coming-of-Age Porcupine Lake

Breaking Glass Pictures is proud to announce the DVD/VOD release of writer/director Ingrid Veninger’s tender, female-forward tale Porcupine Lake on August14.

A “worthy, wise tale of teenage longing” featuring breakout performances by newcomers Charlotte Salisbury and Lucinda Armstrong Hall, and directed by Canada’s “indie film queen” Veninger, Porcupine Lake premiered to a sold-out audience at TIFF, and went on to play BUSAN International Film Festival, Seattle TWIST, Newfest, and many more.

“Porcupine Lake is a spectacular achievement of a film that is filled with phenomenal performances, which bring this touching story to life”, said Rich Wolff, CEO of Breaking Glass Pictures. “We are very proud to bring one of the most talked about films at TIFF to North American audiences.”

Two 13-year-old girls meet up early summer in Port Severn, a small town in Ontario, and become ‘more than best friends’. They share personal secrets, fears, grievances, and daredevil challenges. By the end of the summer, Bea and Kate have irrevocably influenced each other, and the course of their lives have changed in ways they can’t yet foresee. Inventive and daring, Veninger explores the vulnerability of being thirteen with insight and humor. Through an intimate and authentic portrait of Bea’s awakening into selfhood, this story invites us to imagine a new model for a young girl’s first love story -- one told from the inside out.

Porcupine Lake was written, produced and directed by Ingrid Veninger. Starring Charlotte Salisbury, Lucinda Armstrong Hall, Delphine Roussel, Christopher Bolton, Hallie Switzer, Harrison Tanner. Director of Photography is Benjamin Lichty, and Editor is Chris Mutton. Composers are Carlin Nicholson and Michael O’Brien. Produced with the participation of Telefilm Canada, Bell Media’s Harold Greenberg Fund and Films We Like. Executive Produced by Randi Kirshenbaum and Melissa Leo.

A female-driven, coming-of-age festival favorite from award-winning director Ingrid Veninger. Charlotte Salisbury, Lucinda Armstrong Hall, and Delphine Roussel star in Porcupine Lake - Available on DVD/VOD August 14. Porcupine Lake (2018) Official Trailer | Breaking Glass Pictures | BGP Indie Movie Two 13-year-old girls meet up early summer in Port Severn, a small town in Ontario, and become 'more than best friends'.


Beginning August 14, Porcupine Lake will be available on DVD to buy/rent on iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu, and On Demand through your local cable provider

GAL GADOT TO VOICE NEW CHARACTER SHANK IN “RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET”

Gal Gadot (“Justice League,” “Wonder Woman”) revealed today that she is voicing the character Shank, a tough and talented driver in an intense and gritty online racing game called Slaughter Race, in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” which hits theaters this Thanksgiving. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GalGadot/videos/10156557751228926/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BmTXop7A1Nl/?taken-by=gal_gadot

Ralph and Vanellope encounter Shank and her unusual cohorts when they venture to the internet in search of a replacement part for Vanellope’s game, Sugar Rush. Shank, a tough-as-nails street racer, takes her role and her tricked-out car very seriously and doesn’t like to lose. When Vanellope finds herself in a street race with Shank, her Sugar Rush driving skills are put to the test—and Shank is impressed. “She is the coolest character in this world of Slaughter Race,” said director Rich Moore. “Shank’s lived a lot, she’s seen a lot, yet she’s got nothing but kindness in her heart—that’s the duality of that character.”

Said Gadot, “Shank is amazing at driving cars and has this bad-girl vibe to her. But as the movie goes on you realize how fun, wise and warm she really is on the inside, which is what I like most about her.”

According to director/writer Phil Johnston, Gadot adds extraordinary dimension to the character. “There's so much texture to her voice and so much living in her voice,” he said. “If Ralph is Vanellope's big-brother figure, we wanted a big-sister figure. We wanted someone that Vanellope would look up to, and Gal is definitely someone kids—and a lot of adults I know—aspire to emulate. I can't imagine anyone else embodying that part.”

Shank’s approach to racing—and life in general—opens Vanellope’s eyes to the limitless possibilities of the internet and the excitement of a new world that feels like home to her. Featuring the voices of John C. Reilly as Ralph, and Sarah Silverman as Vanellope, “Ralph Breaks the Internet” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 21, 2018.

“RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET”

WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS

http://movies.disney.com/wreck-it-ralph

https://www.youtube.com/user/disneyanimation

https://www.facebook.com/WreckItRalph/

https://twitter.com/wreckitralph

 

U.S. Release Date:        Nov. 21, 2018

Voice cast:                    John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Gal Gadot, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk, Ed O’Neill and Taraji P. Henson.

Directors:                      Rich Moore, Phil Johnston

Producer:                      Clark Spencer

“Ralph Breaks the Internet” leaves Litwak’s video arcade behind, venturing into the uncharted, expansive and thrilling world of the internet—which may or may not surviveRalph’s wrecking. Video game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) must risk it all by traveling to theworld wide web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope’s video game, Sugar Rush. In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet—the Netizens—to help navigate their way, including Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of the trend-making site “BuzzzTube,” and Shank (voice of Gal Gadot), a tough-as-nails driver from a gritty online auto-racing game called Slaughter Race. Directed by Rich Moore (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph”) and PhilJohnston (co-writer “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Zootopia,” writer, “Cedar Rapids”), and produced by Clark Spencer (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Bolt,” “Lilo & Stitch”), “Ralph Breaks theInternet” hits theaters on Nov. 21, 2018

NEON ACQUIRES WORLDWIDE RIGHTS TO TODD DOUGLAS MILLER’S “APOLLO 11”

NEON has acquired the worldwide theatrical rights to Todd Douglas Miller’s (Dinosaur 13) cinematic space event documentary, Apollo 11 The film features never-before-seen, large-format film footage of one of humanity’s greatest accomplishments.  The film is executive produced by CNN Films, which will retain the U.S. television rights, and is produced by Miller’s Statement Pictures.

The feature is currently in post-production.  Producers for Statement Pictures include Miller and Thomas Petersen.  Amy Entelis and Courtney Sexton of CNN Films are executive producers.

Miller is best known for the Emmy® Award-winning documentary, Dinosaur 13, which was also executive produced by CNN Films.  That film tells the story of the discovery of the largest Tyrannosaurus rex fossil ever found.  Dinosaur 13 world premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.

Apollo 11 is the second film distribution collaboration between NEON and CNN Films in 2018.  Earlier this year, the two companies announced their shared distribution of Three Identical Strangers, a feature-length documentary about triplets separated at birth and then reunited as adults.  Three Identical Strangers had its world premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and is successfully exhibiting in theaters now.

The deal for Apollo 11 was negotiated by Josh Braun of Submarine; Stacey Wolf, vice president of business affairs at CNN; and Evan Krauss of Gray Krauss Sandler Des Rochers LLP, along with Matt Burke and Ben Braun of Submarine.

More information about Miller’s Apollo 11 documentary film will become available via https://www.apollo11movie.com.

 

 

ABOUT NEON

Founded in 2016, NEON is an award winning independent film distribution studio.  Its debut film was Nacho Vigalondo’s Colossal, starring Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis.  NEON was an active player at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, acquiring Reinaldo Marcus Green’s Monsters & Men, winner of the Sundance Dramatic Special Jury Award for Outstanding First Feature; Sam Levinson’sAssassination Nation; and Tim Wardle’s Three Identical Strangers, winner of the Sundance Special Jury Award for Storytelling.  NEON had a record breaking year with the release of the runaway hit winner I, Tonya, directed by Craig Gillespie, starring Margot Robbie and 2018 Oscar Winner for Best Supporting, Actress Allison Janney. Eliza Hittman’s Sundance Award Winner Beach Rats, Matt Spicer’s Sundance and Spirit Award Winner Ingrid Goes West; Laura Poitras’s RISK, Ana Lily Amirpour’s Venice Award Winner The Bad Batchand Errol Morris’, The B-Side.  Other recent NEON releases include Aaron Katz’s Gemini; and the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival Opening Night film by Janus Metz, Borg Vs McEnroe; and Coralie Fargeat’s groundbreaking feature film debut Revenge.  After their successful collaboration on I, Tonya, in January 2018, 30WEST (Dan Friedkin’s and Micah Green’s strategic venture) partnered with NEON’s Tom Quinn (Founder & CEO) and Tim League (Co-Founder) to become the majority investors in the company.

ABOUT CNN FILMS

CNN Films, now celebrating its fifth year, produces and acquires documentary feature and short films for theatrical and festival exhibition and distribution across CNN’s multiple platforms.  Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent and content development, oversees the strategy for CNN Films; Courtney Sexton, vice president for CNN Films, works day-to-day with filmmakers to oversee projects.  For more information about CNN Films, please visit www.CNN.com/CNNFilms and follow @CNNFilms via Twitter.  In addition to DINOSAUR13, directed by Todd Douglas Miller, recent acclaimed CNN Films include: TROPHY, directed by Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau; AMERICAN JAIL directed by Roger Ross Williams; THE REAGAN SHOW, co-directed by Pacho Velez and Sierra Pettengill; JEREMIAH TOWER: The Last Magnificent, directed by Lydia Tenaglia; RBG, directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen; LOVE, GILDA, directed by Lisa D’Apolito; and Three Identical Strangers, directed by Tim Wardle. 

ABOUT STATEMENT PICTURES

Statement Pictures LLC was formed in 2011 in Brooklyn, NY to produce independent feature-length motion picture films and visual content. It is co-owned by filmmakers Todd Douglas Miller and Thomas Petersen. The company’s first feature film, Dinosaur 13, premiered on opening night at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Lionsgate and CNN Films for theatrical and broadcast exhibition, winning an Emmy® Award for Outstanding Science and Technology Programming.  The company has numerous independent feature-length films in various stages of production and development and is actively engaged in the production of large format films that target museums and science centers worldwide.

The Beast. Watch the trailer for #GlassMovie this Friday.

M. Night Shyamalan brings together the narratives of two of his standout originals—2000’s Unbreakable, from Touchstone, and 2016’s Split, from Universal—in one explosive, all-new comic-book thriller: Glass.  

From Unbreakable, Bruce Willis returns as David Dunn as does Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price, known also by his pseudonym Mr. Glass.  Joining from Split are James McAvoy, reprising his role as Kevin Wendell Crumb and the multiple identities who reside within, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke, the only captive to survive an encounter with The Beast. 

Following the conclusion of Split, Glass finds Dunn pursuing Crumb’s superhuman figure of The Beast in a series of escalating encounters, while the shadowy presence of Price emerges as an orchestrator who holds secrets critical to both men.

Joining the all-star cast are Unbreakable’s Spencer Treat Clark and Charlayne Woodard, who reprise their roles as Dunn’s son and Price’s mother, as well as Golden Globe Award winner Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story series).

This riveting culmination of his worldwide blockbusters is produced by Shyamalan and Blumhouse Production’s Jason Blum, who also produced the writer/director’s previous two films for Universal.  They produce again with Ashwin Rajan and Marc Bienstock, and Steven Schneider and Kevin Frakes, who executive produce.  Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum also serve as executive producers.

A Blinding Edge Pictures and Blumhouse production, Glass will be released by Universal Pictures in North America on January 18, 2019, and by Buena Vista International abroad.
 

Genre: Comic-Book Thriller
Cast: James McAvoy, Bruce Willis, Anya Taylor-Joy, with Sarah Paulson and Samuel L. Jackson
Written and Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Produced by: M. Night Shyamalan, Jason Blum, Marc Bienstock, Ashwin Rajan
Executive Producers: Steven Schneider, Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, Kevin Frake

Extraordinary Entertainment Launches Co-Development Deal with India's B4U - Slate of Three Films will include the Actioner OPERATION WILD, with Renny Harlin aimed to direct

EXTRAORDINARY ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES CO-DEVELOPMENT DEAL DURING GROUND-BREAKING CHINA INDIA EVENT AT THE SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Slate of Three Films will include the Actioner OPERATION WILD, with Renny Harlin aimed to direct

SHANGHAI (June 19, 2018) –– Renny Harlin and Daljit DJ Parmar’s Extraordinary Entertainment announced today that it will be entering a China/India co-development deal with India’s B4U. This is a result of a fruitful and high-profile China/India event that took place today at the Shanghai International Film Festival, hosted by the Australian AACTA’s Asia International Engagement Program and in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry, the Film and Television Producers Guild of India, and Shanghai Franlyn Media. Indian Consul General Anil Kumar Rai attended as the guest of honor on behalf of the Indian government.

The first of three films in Extraordinary and B4U’s co-development slate is the actioner Operation Wild, written by Brian Brightly (Inside Man 2, Bleed) with Renny Harlin (Skiptrace, The Legend of the Ancient Sword) set to direct. The film will co-star prominent Indian and Chinese actors. While plot details are being kept under wraps, Operation Wild is described as a large-scale action adventure story, in which two elite combat warriors from China and India lead covert forces to shut down a global wildlife poaching criminal organization.

This ground-breaking event has created an opportunity to engage in intercultural dialogue between the Chinese and Indian film industries, providing a platform to encourage further collaboration in culture and cinema. This co-development deal follows an impressive run of Indian films in the Chinese box office in recent years, including Indian films Dangal, which made $200 million (1.29 billion yuan) and Secret Superstar, topping the imported movies box office with over $118 million (746 million yuan).

“There is a very unique cultural synergy between Chinese and Indian cinema. The enormous success of co-production films like Kung Fu Yoga and other Indian films has helped pave the way for Indian content in China. Building on this, we are excited to develop our new China-India film slate beginning with Operation Wild and our partner B4U, one of India’s most renowned Entertainment companies,” said Extraordinary Entertainment’s CEO Daljit DJ Parmar.

Extraordinary Entertainment’s CCO Renny Harlin also commented: “I’m a huge fan of Indian cinema and feel that the talent in India, both in front of and behind the camera, is some of the best in the world. The stories are original and the films are filled with genuine energy and passion that touches the heart. I firmly believe that these combined markets will be the most potent force for storytelling in the world, breathing new life into the global film industry.”

B4U’s CEO Ishan Saksena commented: “I have known DJ and Renny for years and have loved working with them. I was thoroughly impressed with their emphasis and detail behind the human emotions that underpins the storylines of their slate of Indo-China films. I think these films will highlight the emotional bond and cultural values that are common between the people of China and India. B4U is very proud to be with Extraordinary on this ground-breaking partnership.”

Lawyer Cao Yu negotiated the deal on behalf of Extraordinary, which is represented by UTA globally, with legal representation by Stephen L. Saltzman, Paul Hastings LLP, and Haiwen & Partners in China. Brightly is also represented by UTA.

About Extraordinary Entertainment

During Cannes last month, Director Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger) and Producer Daljit DJ Parmar (Kung Fu Yoga) launchedExtraordinary Entertainment, a production and finance company based in Beijing and Hong Kong. Parmar serves as CEO and Harlin as Chief Creative Officer. The company focuses on developing international co-productions, as well as local language Chinese productions, and is backed by funding from strategic investors targeting the Chinese market, with a pipeline of $10MM-$50MM Action/Sci-Fi/Comedy/Adventure theatrical feature films, and new age premium scripted online television series. The outfit also serves as a directing vehicle for Harlin, as well as a platform for top Chinese up-and-coming directors.

Extraordinary Entertainment’s current slate includes Solara, which Harlin is aimed to direct and produce with Parmar, from the writing team of Creighton Rothenberger and Katrin Benedikt (London Has Fallen, Expendables 3, Olympus Has Fallen). Solara is a Chinese tentpole Sci-Fi epic adventure revolving around an international team who have to work together in order to save the earth from a global catastrophe which threatens the entire human existence.

About B4U

B4U network is India’s leading Media and Entertainment company with a host of Bollywood movie and music channels that have presence and viewership in over 100 countries. B4U is also a large movie studio which successfully releases 10-15 movies per year. B4U’s recent successes include movies such as, “Queen” (IIFA best film 2014), “Airlift” (top 10 highest grossing films 2016), “Kaabil” (blockbuster film of 2017), “Punjab nahi Jaungi” (released 2017, and highest grossing film in Pakistan cinema history), Punjabi film “Carry on Jatta 2” (currently in theatres-highest grossing punjabi film in Indian cinema history), and “3 Stories” (official selection Shanghai Film Festival 2018).

HULU ACQUIRES AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY “CRIME + PUNISHMENT”

HULU ACQUIRES AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY “CRIME + PUNISHMENT” 

NEW HULU DOCUMENTARY TO PREMIERE IN THEATERS AND ON HULU AUGUST 24TH

Today, Hulu announced a deal to acquire whistleblower doc CRIME + PUNISHMENT as a Hulu documentary. After debuting at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, CRIME + PUNISHMENT went on to win the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Social Impact Filmmaking, and has garnered numerous awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the 2018 Independent Film Festival in Boston. Stephen Maing directed, produced and filmed, and Academy Award Winner Laura Poitras serves as an executive producer.  

The premium streaming service will partner with IFC Films to release the documentary simultaneously in theaters and on Hulu on August 24th.

CRIME + PUNISHMENT is a galvanizing and visually striking documentary that goes behind the scenes and undercover to expose discriminatory policing practices, intimidation and corruption within the New York Police Department. Told from multiple perspectives and precincts throughout New York City, Maing cinematically chronicles a band of minority whistleblower officers known as The NYPD 12, as well as the efforts of ex-cop turned private investigator, Manuel Gomez as they seek to expose the illegal use of arrest and summons quotas.

With unprecedented fly-on-the-wall access, the film artfully weaves an ensemble of interconnected stories and evidence from The NYPD 12, who put their careers on the line and mount a David vs. Goliath legal challenge—only to find themselves weathering harassment and retaliation from within their own departments.

“It was an act of bravery and defiance by all the cops and families who allowed their stories to be documented over the past four years so I’m heartened to know their efforts will not be in vain and this story made widely accessible,” said Maing. “It’s exciting to have Hulu’s amazing partnership and share this film theatrically, pursue an ambitious social impact campaign and present these previously unheard voices of active duty officers into the national dialogue around police reform. I am grateful for the collaborations and support I've received along the way, but most importantly to the brave participants of the film who have stepped forward for the sake of other citizens and officers.”

CRIME + PUNISHMENT is the latest film to join Hulu’s award-winning documentary slate, which includes the recently-released TINY SHOULDERS: RETHINKING BARBIE and MARCH OF THE PENGUINS 2: THE NEXT STEP, as well as Grammy and Emmy Award winning film THE BEATLES: 8 DAYS A WEEK – THE TOURING YEARS, TOO FUNNY TO FAIL, OBEY GIANT, BECOMING BOND, DUMB and BATMAN AND BILL.

The deal also expands Hulu’s relationship with IFC Films, which includes an output agreement for non-documentary, narrative films. Maing produced alongside Ross Tuttle and Eric Daniel Metzgar.

About HULU

Hulu is a leading premium streaming service that offers instant access to live and on demand channels, original series and films, and a premium library of TV and movies to more than 20 million subscribers in the U.S. Since its launch in 2008, Hulu has consistently been at the forefront of entertainment and technology. Hulu is the only streaming service that offers both ad-supported and commercial-free current season shows from the largest U.S. broadcast networks; libraries of hit TV series and films; and acclaimed Hulu Originals including Emmy® and Golden Globe Award-winning series The Handmaid’s Tale, The Looming Tower, Future Man, Marvel’s Runaways, The Path, 11.22.63, and Golden Globe nominated comedy Casual, as well as upcoming series Castle Rock, The First, Catch-22 and Little Fires Everywhere. In 2017, Hulu added live news, entertainment and sports from 21st Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, CBS Corporation, The CW, Turner Networks, A+E Networks and Scripps Networks Interactive to its offerings – making it the only TV service that brings together live, on-demand, originals, and library content all in one place, across living room and mobile devices.

Dario van Vree’s provocative and award winning animation ‘Tabook' has just been released.

After winning the Best Animated Short at CineKink 2017, director Dario van Vree and producer Tünde Vollenbroek’s comical animation Tabook has now been released online. Tabook looks at the subject of sex in a fun loving way, highlighting the taboo that exists in society around embracing sexuality.

While browsing the bookstore 19-year-old Gwen is unexpectedly drawn to a volume of kinky erotica, earning her disapproving glares from the other customers.

Director Dario van Vree has been directing animation since graduating from his studies at the prestigious KASK academy in Belgium. Having a specific eye for the weird, the inventive and the power of character performance, his work is characterized by clarity, humor and a love for paradoxes. Besides directing, Dario teaches animation at the Willem de Kooning Academy and is co-founder of the KLIK Amsterdam Animation Festival.

Producer Tünde Vollenbroek is an animation graduate from the HKU and Animation Sans Frontieres, and is a producer at Studio Pupil, the production company that created Tabook. She is a chief European correspondent at Cartoon Brew and chief programmer of the KLIK Amsterdam Animation Festival.

Reineke Jonker helps the humour come alive with the priceless vocal performance we hear from lead character Gwen while animators Michael Sewnarian, Bonnie Mier and Tom Mourik created the colourful animated world Gwen inhabits.

This film has been has been sweeping the boards at film festivals throughout the world, having been selected for 32 film festivals including in the Manchester Animation Festival 2016
, Athens Animfest 2017, KLIK Amsterdam Animation Festival 2016 and Anima Brussels Animation Film Festival 2017. Tabook was also included in the Selected Dutch Shorts 2017 and the Korte Film Poule 2017.

Tabook is now available online. 

Vimeo: vimeo.com/studiopupil/tabook
YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=JKqg9JWRZUU
Facebook: facebook.com/studiopupilanimation/

Tabook | cute bondage cartoon Story: While browsing the bookstore 19-year-old Gwen is unexpectedly drawn to a volume of kinky erotica, earning her disapproving glares from the other customers. Will Gwen follow her deepest desires or will she let her embarrassment restrain her?

FILMRISE ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO BITTERSWEET COMEDY “THE BOY DOWNSTAIRS”

FILMRISE ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO BITTERSWEET COMEDY “THE BOY DOWNSTAIRS”

Film Starring Zosia Mamet Will Be Released Theatrically In Early 2018

Brooklyn-based film and TV distributor FilmRise announced today that it has acquired exclusive North American distribution rights to Sophie Brooks’ debut feature film The Boy Downstairs. The film had its world premiere at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. FilmRise will release the film theatrically in early 2017. 

Aspiring writer Diana (Mamet in her first film role since the end of HBO’s hit “Girls”) returns to New York City after a few years living in London and finds what seems to be the perfect Brooklyn apartment to start fresh. However, on the first night in her new home she discovers that her ex-boyfriend Ben (Matthew Shear, Mistress America) lives in the apartment downstairs. With support from her affable landlady Amy (Deirdre O’Connell) and her best friend Gabby (Diana Irvine), Diana proclaims her intentions for a cordial friendship, but as the story progresses and old wounds are reopened, she is forced to confront the true nature of her feelings.

The Boy Downstairs was written and directed by Sophie Brooks. It was produced by Dan Clifton, David Brooks, and Leon Clarance; and executive produced by Paul Brooks.

“I am beyond excited to team up with FilmRise,” said filmmaker Sophie Brooks. “The Boy Downstairs was an incredibly special experience for me and I cannot wait for audiences to see it next year.”  

“We are thrilled to share Sophie Brooks’ charming feature debut with the world,” said Danny Fisher, CEO of FilmRise. “The Boy Downstairs is a fresh, sincere comedy that we believe audiences everywhere will enjoy.”

The deal was negotiated between Fisher and FilmRise’s Faye Tsakas, Manager of Acquisitions, and Max Einhorn, VP of Acquisitions, with United Talent Agency (UTA).

ABOUT FILMRISE

FilmRise is a film and TV distribution company founded by veteran producer/financiers Danny Fisher, Jack Fisher and Alan Klingenstein. With over 15,000 titles in a wide range of genres, the company's releases include HBO’s multiple Emmy®-winning “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief”; “Janis: Little Girl Blue,” produced by Oscar®-winner Alex Gibney; two-time Academy Award®-nominee Julie Delpy’s “Lolo; and the controversial Sundance hit “White Girl.” Television titles include the iconic Robert Stack hosted series “Unsolved Mysteries” and Showtime’s Emmy®-winning “Years of Living Dangerously”.

FilmRise’s recent acquisitions include” the acclaimed true crime documentary “I Called Him Morgan”; the multi-Goya award-winning “Truman” starring Ricardo Darin; the box office hit “Harry & Snowman”; “Manifesto” starring two-time Oscar®-winner Cate Blanchett; sci-fi drama “Marjorie Prime” starring Jon Hamm and Tim Robbins; and “My Friend Dahmer” starring Ross Lynch. For more information, go to www.FilmRise.com