Natalia Dyer is starring alongside Rachel Keller and Danny Ramirez in “Chestnut,” a queer love triangle drama that marks the feature film debut of director Jac Cron. Shot on location and named for the epicenter of queer culture in Philadelphia, Chestnut, the film quietly wrapped production this month. It’s eyeing an early 2022 festival premiere.
Dyer stars as a recent graduate who becomes unexpectedly entangled in a relationship with a man and a woman during an aimless summer after college, with Keller and Ramirez forming the other corners of the love triangle. The film also stars Chella Man (HBO Max’s “Titans”) and Caleb Eberhardt, and features a score
by composer Keegan DeWitt. It was produced by Lizzie Shapiro and Lexi Tannenholtz.
Chestnut reunites Shapiro with Utopia, who released “Shiva Baby” earlier this year. In addition to executive producing, Utopia is handling worldwide sales for the film.
Dyer is best...
Dyer stars as a recent graduate who becomes unexpectedly entangled in a relationship with a man and a woman during an aimless summer after college, with Keller and Ramirez forming the other corners of the love triangle. The film also stars Chella Man (HBO Max’s “Titans”) and Caleb Eberhardt, and features a score
by composer Keegan DeWitt. It was produced by Lizzie Shapiro and Lexi Tannenholtz.
Chestnut reunites Shapiro with Utopia, who released “Shiva Baby” earlier this year. In addition to executive producing, Utopia is handling worldwide sales for the film.
Dyer is best...
- 10/5/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Lost Ones, a newly launched production company, is unveiling a North American distribution arm. The first film that the company will debut will be “Venus as a Boy,” an art culture romance that will premiere on video-on-demand on Sept. 24.
Utopia will handle worldwide sales of the film, which had its world premiere at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. The company’s head of sales David Betesh will oversee the process. “Venus as a Boy” was written, directed and stars Ty Hodges, who previously appeared on Disney’s “Even Stevens” and “Don’t Look Under the Bed.” He appears alongside actress and model Olivia Culpo (“I Feel Pretty”), Trace Lysette (“Transparent”), Bai Ling (“The Crow”), and musicians Estelle and Stacy Barthe.
The film follows Hunter (Hodges), a freewheeling artist navigating heartbreak, addiction, and L.A.’s gallery scene. After refusing to sell a painting to an eager buyer, a chance encounter...
Utopia will handle worldwide sales of the film, which had its world premiere at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. The company’s head of sales David Betesh will oversee the process. “Venus as a Boy” was written, directed and stars Ty Hodges, who previously appeared on Disney’s “Even Stevens” and “Don’t Look Under the Bed.” He appears alongside actress and model Olivia Culpo (“I Feel Pretty”), Trace Lysette (“Transparent”), Bai Ling (“The Crow”), and musicians Estelle and Stacy Barthe.
The film follows Hunter (Hodges), a freewheeling artist navigating heartbreak, addiction, and L.A.’s gallery scene. After refusing to sell a painting to an eager buyer, a chance encounter...
- 9/1/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: AMC’s genre streamer Shudder and sales and distribution firm Utopia have picked up Dasha Nekrasova’s horror debut The Scary Of Sixty-First.
The film, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, sees two roommates’ lives upended after finding out that their new Manhattan apartment harbors a dark secret. The narrative takes a sinister turn after they discover it was once owned by the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Shudder has taken SVOD rights in North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, while Utopia has picked up remaining rights. Utopia will release the film in theaters and on digital later this year and the company’s Utopia’s Head of Sales David Betesh will be selling available international rights at the upcoming Cannes market.
The deal was negotiated by Digiacomo for Utopia and Emily Gotto for Shudder with UTA’s Independent Film Group.
Actor and podcaster Dasha Nekrasova,...
The film, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, sees two roommates’ lives upended after finding out that their new Manhattan apartment harbors a dark secret. The narrative takes a sinister turn after they discover it was once owned by the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Shudder has taken SVOD rights in North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, while Utopia has picked up remaining rights. Utopia will release the film in theaters and on digital later this year and the company’s Utopia’s Head of Sales David Betesh will be selling available international rights at the upcoming Cannes market.
The deal was negotiated by Digiacomo for Utopia and Emily Gotto for Shudder with UTA’s Independent Film Group.
Actor and podcaster Dasha Nekrasova,...
- 5/12/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Arthouse streaming service Mubi has snapped up rights to Toronto International Film Festival title “Shiva Baby” for the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Austria, India, Turkey and Latin America.
Written and directed by Canadian filmmaker Emma Seligman, “Shiva Baby” follows a young bisexual Jewish woman at a shiva — a mourning tradition in the Jewish community — at which she must confront her over-achieving ex-girlfriend as well as her sugar daddy, his girlfriend and their baby.
Utopia Media boarded the film ahead of its Toronto premiere.
“Shiva Baby” — which began life as a short written and directed by Seligman while studying film at New York University — screened in the narrative feature competition at SXSW, and received its public premiere at last month’s TIFF. Variety critic Tomris Laffly said of the movie, “Think of this late-coming-of-age farce as a funny ‘Krisha’ or the indoor apocalypse that takes place in ‘Mother!’ — but with broken glass objects,...
Written and directed by Canadian filmmaker Emma Seligman, “Shiva Baby” follows a young bisexual Jewish woman at a shiva — a mourning tradition in the Jewish community — at which she must confront her over-achieving ex-girlfriend as well as her sugar daddy, his girlfriend and their baby.
Utopia Media boarded the film ahead of its Toronto premiere.
“Shiva Baby” — which began life as a short written and directed by Seligman while studying film at New York University — screened in the narrative feature competition at SXSW, and received its public premiere at last month’s TIFF. Variety critic Tomris Laffly said of the movie, “Think of this late-coming-of-age farce as a funny ‘Krisha’ or the indoor apocalypse that takes place in ‘Mother!’ — but with broken glass objects,...
- 10/8/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Documentary miniseries follows women of colour transforming Us politics.
Us sales company Utopia has boarded political documentary miniseries And She Could Be Next, executive produced by filmmaker Ava DuVernay.
Utopia will now begin talks with international buyers on the series at this week’s virtual Cannes market.
Produced by Us broadcaster PBS for its acclaimed Point Of View (Pov) series, And She Could Be Next is directed by Grace Lee and Marjan Safinia, with the pair producing alongside Jyoti Sarda.
It was selected to world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival prior to the event’s physical cancellation. Tribeca instead presented...
Us sales company Utopia has boarded political documentary miniseries And She Could Be Next, executive produced by filmmaker Ava DuVernay.
Utopia will now begin talks with international buyers on the series at this week’s virtual Cannes market.
Produced by Us broadcaster PBS for its acclaimed Point Of View (Pov) series, And She Could Be Next is directed by Grace Lee and Marjan Safinia, with the pair producing alongside Jyoti Sarda.
It was selected to world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival prior to the event’s physical cancellation. Tribeca instead presented...
- 6/24/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
Documentary miniseries follows women of colour transforming Us politics.
Us sales company Utopia has boarded political documentary miniseries And She Could Be Next, executive produced by filmmaker Ava DuVernay.
Utopia will now begin talks with international buyers on the series at this week’s virtual Cannes market.
Produced by Us broadcaster PBS for its acclaimed Point Of View (Pov) series, And She Could Be Next is directed by Grace Lee and Marjan Safinia, with the pair producing alongside Jyoti Sarda.
It was selected to world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival prior to the event’s physical cancellation. Tribeca instead presented...
Us sales company Utopia has boarded political documentary miniseries And She Could Be Next, executive produced by filmmaker Ava DuVernay.
Utopia will now begin talks with international buyers on the series at this week’s virtual Cannes market.
Produced by Us broadcaster PBS for its acclaimed Point Of View (Pov) series, And She Could Be Next is directed by Grace Lee and Marjan Safinia, with the pair producing alongside Jyoti Sarda.
It was selected to world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival prior to the event’s physical cancellation. Tribeca instead presented...
- 6/24/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
In today’s film news roundup, the documentary “House of Cardin” and crime thriller “Devil’s Night” find distributors and “Lucky Grandma” is raising funds for New York Chinatown.
Acquisitions
Utopia has acquired the North American rights to the fashion documentary “House of Cardin” by filmmakers P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes.
The film, centering on the life and work of designer and entrepreneur Pierre Cardin, held its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival and was set for a North American tour at the San Francisco, Dallas, Boston, and Seattle Film Festivals before the widespread Covid-19 cancellations and postponements.
Ebersole and Hughes produced under their banner, The Ebersole Hughes Company, alongside Cori Coppola. Utopia will release the film in August ahead of September’s New York Fashion Week and a subsequent Paris premiere hosted by Cardin himself.
“’House of Cardin’ brings a fresh understanding of just how incredibly groundbreaking...
Acquisitions
Utopia has acquired the North American rights to the fashion documentary “House of Cardin” by filmmakers P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes.
The film, centering on the life and work of designer and entrepreneur Pierre Cardin, held its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival and was set for a North American tour at the San Francisco, Dallas, Boston, and Seattle Film Festivals before the widespread Covid-19 cancellations and postponements.
Ebersole and Hughes produced under their banner, The Ebersole Hughes Company, alongside Cori Coppola. Utopia will release the film in August ahead of September’s New York Fashion Week and a subsequent Paris premiere hosted by Cardin himself.
“’House of Cardin’ brings a fresh understanding of just how incredibly groundbreaking...
- 5/13/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Utopia has secured North American rights to House of Cardin, a documentary about the life and work of legendary fashion designer and entrepreneur Pierre Cardin. Directed by P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes, the doc had its premiere at last year’s Venice International Film Festival and will be released in August ahead of September’s New York Fashion Week. It’ll also have a subsequent Paris premiere hosted by Cardin.
Here is the synopsis: Millions know the iconic logo and ubiquitous signature but few know the man behind the larger than life label. House of Cardin is a rare peek into the mind of a genius. As an authorized feature documentary, Mr. Cardin has granted exclusive access to his archives and professional empire and provided unprecedented interviews as he reflects on the many facets of his groundbreaking career. House of Cardin also features the likes of Naomi Campbell, Sharon Stone,...
Here is the synopsis: Millions know the iconic logo and ubiquitous signature but few know the man behind the larger than life label. House of Cardin is a rare peek into the mind of a genius. As an authorized feature documentary, Mr. Cardin has granted exclusive access to his archives and professional empire and provided unprecedented interviews as he reflects on the many facets of his groundbreaking career. House of Cardin also features the likes of Naomi Campbell, Sharon Stone,...
- 5/13/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
The Party Film Sales handles international rights.
Utopia has picked up North American rights to House Of Cardin, the Venice Film Festival 2019 selection directed by Room 237 executive producers P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes.
The documentary chronicles the life and work of the celebrated fashion designer and entrepreneur Pierre Cardin and was set for a prolonged North American festival tour ecnompassing San Francisco, Dallas, Boston, and Seattle Film Festivals, among others, before the coronavirus pandemic erupted.
Ebersole and Hughes produced through their The Ebersole Hughes Company, alongside Cori Coppola. The film screened in Venice Days.
Utopia plans an August release...
Utopia has picked up North American rights to House Of Cardin, the Venice Film Festival 2019 selection directed by Room 237 executive producers P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes.
The documentary chronicles the life and work of the celebrated fashion designer and entrepreneur Pierre Cardin and was set for a prolonged North American festival tour ecnompassing San Francisco, Dallas, Boston, and Seattle Film Festivals, among others, before the coronavirus pandemic erupted.
Ebersole and Hughes produced through their The Ebersole Hughes Company, alongside Cori Coppola. The film screened in Venice Days.
Utopia plans an August release...
- 5/13/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Utopia, the recently launched sales and distribution company, has acquired the worldwide rights to “Mickey and the Bear,” which stars Camila Morrone in a father-daughter drama, the company announced Wednesday.
“Mickey and the Bear” played at Cannes as part of the Cannes Acid section of the festival, and it made its world premiere at SXSW earlier this year. Utopia plans to release the film in the fall of this year.
“Mickey and the Bear” takes place in Anaconda, Montana, where headstrong teenager Mickey Peck (Morrone) is doing what she can to keep her single, veteran father Hank (James Badge Dale) afloat, navigating his mercurial moods, opioid addiction, and grief over the loss of his wife. Secretly, Mickey fantasizes of going to college on the west coast and finally living life on her own terms. When Hank’s controlling, jealous behavior turns destructive, Mickey must decide between familial obligation and personal...
“Mickey and the Bear” played at Cannes as part of the Cannes Acid section of the festival, and it made its world premiere at SXSW earlier this year. Utopia plans to release the film in the fall of this year.
“Mickey and the Bear” takes place in Anaconda, Montana, where headstrong teenager Mickey Peck (Morrone) is doing what she can to keep her single, veteran father Hank (James Badge Dale) afloat, navigating his mercurial moods, opioid addiction, and grief over the loss of his wife. Secretly, Mickey fantasizes of going to college on the west coast and finally living life on her own terms. When Hank’s controlling, jealous behavior turns destructive, Mickey must decide between familial obligation and personal...
- 5/22/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Utopia, the newly launched sales and distribution company, has acquired world rights to Mickey and the Bear, the father-daughter drama written and directed by Annabelle Attanasio in her feature debut. Robert Schwartzman’s company plans a fall theatrical release timed to awards season.
The pic, set in Montana, stars Camila Morrone and James Badge Dale and centers on Mickey, a headstrong teen who is doing what she can to keep her single, veteran father Hank afloat — navigating his mercurial moods, opioid addiction, and grief over the loss of his wife. Secretly, Mickey fantasizes of going to college on the West Coast and finally living life on her own terms. When Hank’s controlling, jealous behavior turns destructive, Mickey must decide between familial obligation and personal fulfillment as she puts everything on the line to claim her own independence.
The pic, which world premiered this spring, just screened in the Acid sidebar at Cannes,...
The pic, set in Montana, stars Camila Morrone and James Badge Dale and centers on Mickey, a headstrong teen who is doing what she can to keep her single, veteran father Hank afloat — navigating his mercurial moods, opioid addiction, and grief over the loss of his wife. Secretly, Mickey fantasizes of going to college on the West Coast and finally living life on her own terms. When Hank’s controlling, jealous behavior turns destructive, Mickey must decide between familial obligation and personal fulfillment as she puts everything on the line to claim her own independence.
The pic, which world premiered this spring, just screened in the Acid sidebar at Cannes,...
- 5/22/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Croisette sales roster includes award-winning documentary Fiddlin’.
Former Gunpowder & Sky head of global sales David Betesh arrives in Cannes with an inaugural sales slate for Utopia that includes Cannes Acid selection Mickey And The Bear and Lynn Shelton’s Sword Of Trust.
The Utopia slate kicks off with Actress Annabelle Attanassio’s directorial debut Mickey And The Bear (pictured), which premiered at SXSW earlier this year and stars Camila Morrone as a headstrong teen who must choose between caring for her opioid-addicted veteran father Hank (James Badge Dale) or leaving her Montana home to start her own life.
Shelton’s...
Former Gunpowder & Sky head of global sales David Betesh arrives in Cannes with an inaugural sales slate for Utopia that includes Cannes Acid selection Mickey And The Bear and Lynn Shelton’s Sword Of Trust.
The Utopia slate kicks off with Actress Annabelle Attanassio’s directorial debut Mickey And The Bear (pictured), which premiered at SXSW earlier this year and stars Camila Morrone as a headstrong teen who must choose between caring for her opioid-addicted veteran father Hank (James Badge Dale) or leaving her Montana home to start her own life.
Shelton’s...
- 5/13/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Dan Fogler and Emma Bell are leading the ensemble cast of The Argument, the third feature-length film from director Robert Schwartzman after Dreamland and The Unicorn. The comedy penned by The Chumscrubber scribe Zac Stanford just wrapped production, with Utopia coming aboard to handle international sales at the upcoming Cannes film market.
The pic centers on Jack and his actress girlfriend Lisa (The Walking Dead alum Bell), who get into an argument at their cocktail party that escalates until it brings an abrupt end to the festivities. They and their guests decide to re-create the entire night again and again to determine who was right. Danny Pudi, Cleopatra Coleman, Tyler James Williams, Maggie Q, Mark Ryder, Karan Brar, Marielle Scott, Charlotte McKinney and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett co-star.
Producers are Russell Wayne Groves and the ICM Partners-repped Schwartzman via his Beachwood Park Films.
Utopia...
The pic centers on Jack and his actress girlfriend Lisa (The Walking Dead alum Bell), who get into an argument at their cocktail party that escalates until it brings an abrupt end to the festivities. They and their guests decide to re-create the entire night again and again to determine who was right. Danny Pudi, Cleopatra Coleman, Tyler James Williams, Maggie Q, Mark Ryder, Karan Brar, Marielle Scott, Charlotte McKinney and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett co-star.
Producers are Russell Wayne Groves and the ICM Partners-repped Schwartzman via his Beachwood Park Films.
Utopia...
- 5/9/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Filmmaker Robert Schwartzman is throwing his hat in the ring with his new distribution company, Utopia. The newly launched company co-founded by Schwartzman will take a “filmmaker first” approach and will venture to SXSW next week to look at new films for potential acquisition. David Betesh, former head of global sales for Gunpowder & Sky, recently joined Utopia as the Head of Sales & Acquisitions.
In addition to sales and acquisitions, Utopia will also launch a technology platform later this year that will offer filmmakers multiple services including a streaming element. When it comes to filmmaker services, the company will focus on creating new revenue and monetization opportunities, improving the direct-to-consumer experience, and helping them maintain a global presence. The company’s platform will give filmmakers more control, higher marketing Roi, and stronger data collection tools than other platforms.
“Some filmmakers have specific markets or a target demographic in mind with their film,...
In addition to sales and acquisitions, Utopia will also launch a technology platform later this year that will offer filmmakers multiple services including a streaming element. When it comes to filmmaker services, the company will focus on creating new revenue and monetization opportunities, improving the direct-to-consumer experience, and helping them maintain a global presence. The company’s platform will give filmmakers more control, higher marketing Roi, and stronger data collection tools than other platforms.
“Some filmmakers have specific markets or a target demographic in mind with their film,...
- 2/28/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Ray Liotta is in talks for “The Sopranos” movie, Paramount has taken “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” off its schedule, a View-Master movie is coming and Robert Schwartzman has launched a sales company.
Casting
Ray Liotta is in talks to join “The Many Saints Of Newark,” New Line’s prequel to HBO’s “The Sopranos.”
The cast includes Alessandro Nivola, Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Billy Magnussen, Corey Stoll, and Michael Gandolfini, who will play the Tony Soprano role originated by his late father James Gandolfini. Alan Taylor is directing.
Series creator David Chase co-wrote the script with producer Lawrence Konner. Plot details are under wraps, though some of the characters from the original series will appear in the movie.
Liotta is best known for his portrayal of the gangster Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas.” The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.
Casting
Ray Liotta is in talks to join “The Many Saints Of Newark,” New Line’s prequel to HBO’s “The Sopranos.”
The cast includes Alessandro Nivola, Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Billy Magnussen, Corey Stoll, and Michael Gandolfini, who will play the Tony Soprano role originated by his late father James Gandolfini. Alan Taylor is directing.
Series creator David Chase co-wrote the script with producer Lawrence Konner. Plot details are under wraps, though some of the characters from the original series will appear in the movie.
Liotta is best known for his portrayal of the gangster Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas.” The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.
- 2/28/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Arrow Films has acquired U.K. rights to the black metal movie “Lords of Chaos” ahead of its British premiere at the London Film Festival next week. Gunpowder & Sky did the U.K. deal and has also now set a first-quarter 2019 U.S. release for the picture, which launched to acclaim at the Sundance Festival this year.
Jonas Åkerlund’s movie is centered on Norway’s brutal black metal scene in the 1990s and the band Mayhem. A sequence of events leads to church burnings, suicide and murder. Swedish film and music-video director Åkerlund helmed the film and wrote the screenplay. It is based on the book of the same name by Michael Moynihan and Didrik Søderlind.
The movie stars Rory Culkin, Emory Cohen, Jack Kilmer and Sky Ferreira, alongside Valter Skarsgård and Jon Øigarden. The film went down well at Sundance: “Hail Åkerlund!,” Variety said in its review. “The...
Jonas Åkerlund’s movie is centered on Norway’s brutal black metal scene in the 1990s and the band Mayhem. A sequence of events leads to church burnings, suicide and murder. Swedish film and music-video director Åkerlund helmed the film and wrote the screenplay. It is based on the book of the same name by Michael Moynihan and Didrik Søderlind.
The movie stars Rory Culkin, Emory Cohen, Jack Kilmer and Sky Ferreira, alongside Valter Skarsgård and Jon Øigarden. The film went down well at Sundance: “Hail Åkerlund!,” Variety said in its review. “The...
- 10/11/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Deals include Australia, Canada, Latin America on Sundance premiere.
Los Angeles-based distributor Gunpowder & Sky has closed a raft of sales on the retro thriller Summer Of 84 and will court buyers from remaining territories in Toronto this week.
Francois Simard, Anouk Whissell and Yoann-Karl Whissell co-directed the Sundance Film Festival premiere about teenage friends who suspect their police officer neighbour is a serial killer and find themselves in too deep when they spend their summer spying on him.
Rights have gone in: Australia/New Zealand (Roadshow), Canada (Mongrel), Latin America (Cinemex), Spain (A Contracorriente), France (L’Atelier D’Images...
Los Angeles-based distributor Gunpowder & Sky has closed a raft of sales on the retro thriller Summer Of 84 and will court buyers from remaining territories in Toronto this week.
Francois Simard, Anouk Whissell and Yoann-Karl Whissell co-directed the Sundance Film Festival premiere about teenage friends who suspect their police officer neighbour is a serial killer and find themselves in too deep when they spend their summer spying on him.
Rights have gone in: Australia/New Zealand (Roadshow), Canada (Mongrel), Latin America (Cinemex), Spain (A Contracorriente), France (L’Atelier D’Images...
- 9/6/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
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