Vendôme Pictures has acquired the remake rights to produce a scripted adaptation of ”A Fire Within,” an award-winning human rights documentary about Ethiopian refugee Edgegayehu “Edge” Taye.
The 2021 nonfiction film documented how Taye, a torture survivor, flees to the U.S. only to discover that her former torturer is living there and working alongside her at her new job in a midtown Atlanta hotel. It follows the attempts of Taye and two other Ethiopian women to bring her torturer to justice in America. Directed by Christopher Chambers, ”A Fire Within” has won several awards on the film festival circuit after premiering at the Atlanta Film Festival, where it won the audience award for best documentary.
Vendôme Pictures will develop and package the picture, with Philippe Rousselet and Fabrice Gianfermi producing with Liya Kebede and Chambers attached to executive produce. Josh Ludmir at Greenberg Traurig negotiated the deal on behalf of Fmrl Media and Chambers,...
The 2021 nonfiction film documented how Taye, a torture survivor, flees to the U.S. only to discover that her former torturer is living there and working alongside her at her new job in a midtown Atlanta hotel. It follows the attempts of Taye and two other Ethiopian women to bring her torturer to justice in America. Directed by Christopher Chambers, ”A Fire Within” has won several awards on the film festival circuit after premiering at the Atlanta Film Festival, where it won the audience award for best documentary.
Vendôme Pictures will develop and package the picture, with Philippe Rousselet and Fabrice Gianfermi producing with Liya Kebede and Chambers attached to executive produce. Josh Ludmir at Greenberg Traurig negotiated the deal on behalf of Fmrl Media and Chambers,...
- 11/1/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: CreativeChaos, the production company behind Paramount+’s The Murder of God’s Banker, and Above the Clouds, which produced Harvey Keitel and Sam Worthington feature film Lansky, have teamed up for a feature documentary about a group of youth climate activists.
This Is Planet Z follows a group of mostly young women of color who conceptualized, organized and mobilized youth across the United States to speak up and incite change. Their actions culminated in 7.5 million people striking on September 20, 2019, encouraging young voter turnout that influenced the 2020 presidential election and key races across the U.S.
The doc followed adolescents who were spurred into action when former President Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, effectively making the U.S. the only nation that abandoned its promises to curtail emissions.
CreativeChaos and Above the Clouds are planning a year-long effort of social action motivated around getting out the vote in...
This Is Planet Z follows a group of mostly young women of color who conceptualized, organized and mobilized youth across the United States to speak up and incite change. Their actions culminated in 7.5 million people striking on September 20, 2019, encouraging young voter turnout that influenced the 2020 presidential election and key races across the U.S.
The doc followed adolescents who were spurred into action when former President Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, effectively making the U.S. the only nation that abandoned its promises to curtail emissions.
CreativeChaos and Above the Clouds are planning a year-long effort of social action motivated around getting out the vote in...
- 6/26/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Vision Film has acquired rights to I Love Us, a romantic drama from Danny A. Abeckaser’s 2B Films. Abeckaser stars with Jackie Cruz, Katie Cassidy, Harlow Jane, David James Elliott, Robert Davi, Jasper Polish, Greg Finley, James Madio, David James Elliott, Elya Baskin and Courtney Lopez in the ensemble, which wrapped production at the end of March after a shoot in Los Angeles. It will get a 10-city theatrical run along with VOD in September.
In the script by Kosta Kondilopoulos, a seasoned thief (Abeckaser) trades in his criminal ways for a “normal” married life after falling in love with a single mother (Cassidy) that catches him off guard. But when tragedy strikes, he’s forced to take one last job to pay off old debts and keep his new family together, creating conflict all around him.
Abeckaser also produced with Wild7Films’ Kyle Stefanski and Mike Hermosa, and Above the Clouds’ Jeff Hoffman. Executive producers are Katie Cassidy, Ron Rofe, Isaac Gindi, Eddie Gindi and Gustavo Nascimento.
“I Love Us was such a passion project and a labor of love. I felt the movie deserved to be with a company that really believes and loves the movie like I do. Lisa Romanoff at Vision was the right person for this journey for myself as director along with producers Kyle Stefanski, Mike Hermosa and Jeff Hoffman. We are excited for people to see it.”
***
Level 33 Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Rollers, written and directed by Isaiah Smallman. The film will be available in theaters and on VOD on June 25.
The plot centers on Rufus Paisley (Johnny Ray Gill), a closet alcoholic and whose everything he loves is smashed together into one place: Rollers. He gave up a promising career as a musician in order to keep it alive, but the historic venue, once owned by his parents, is in trouble and he’s running out of ways to save it, and himself. His friends urge him to move on, but can he?
Kevin Bigley, Vicky Jeudy, Kate Cobb, Joel Allen and Spencer Rayshon Stevenson also star. Smallman and Tara Ansley produced the pic, which was executive produced by Tiffany Boyle, Bryce McGuire, Elsa Ramo and Eric Costello.
The deal was negotiated by Boyle and Erika Canchola on behalf of the filmmakers and by Andreas Olavarria and Kate Sheffield on behalf of Level 33.
***
Gravitas Ventures has acquired rights to the sports documentary Resurgence, directed by social media fitness stars Heber Cannon and Marston Sawyers (aka the Buttery Bros). The pic, which follows the shakeup of the worldwide annual fitness competition The CrossFit Games in the midst of the pandemic, will debut on iTunes and Apple TV on July 20, followed by digital platforms and VOD on August 3.
“With Covid-19 restrictions allowing for only 10 athletes versus the usual 80-100+, it’s the first and possibly last year we will be able to tell interesting angles from every athlete competing,” the directors said. “We are honored to have been there for this intimate event, and excited for the world to see the behind the scenes of what went on at the 2020 CrossFit Games.”
“The collaboration among the Buttery Bros., CrossFit HQ, and Gravitas has been smooth and it’s great to get the band back together,” said Michael Murphy, President of Gravitas Ventures. “Previous CrossFit films are immediate best-sellers, and we expect the same from Resurgence which is awesome in scope, story-telling, and quality.”
***
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles‘ Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature went toTamil director Thamizh’s debut film Seththumaan (Pig) as the 19th edition of the fest wrapped its run this week. The Features Jury gave honorable mention to Malayalam film Biriyaani, directed by Sajin Baabu. Ajitpal Singh’s debut feature Fire in the Mountains won the Audience Award for Best Feature.
The Grand Jury Prize for Best Short went to Karishma Dev Dube for Bittu, while the Audience Award for Best Short went to Aarti Neharsh’s queer love story The Song We Sang.
***
Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American VOD rights to the World War II feature documentary Lost Airmen of Buchenwald. It will hit digital platforms June 15.
Written and directed by Mike Dorsey, the doc tells the story of the 168 Allied airmen in World War II who fought for survival in Germany’s infamous Buchenwald Concentration Camp after they were caught by the German Gestapo while hiding with the French Resistance. Facing starvation, disease, execution, forced marches, and even a bombing by their own side, the airmen are in a race against time to get out of Buchenwald alive.
Dorsey, Gerald Baron, Frank Imhof and Duane McNett are producers. Freestyle negotiated the deal with A3 Artists Agency representing Dorsey.
Here’s the trailer:...
In the script by Kosta Kondilopoulos, a seasoned thief (Abeckaser) trades in his criminal ways for a “normal” married life after falling in love with a single mother (Cassidy) that catches him off guard. But when tragedy strikes, he’s forced to take one last job to pay off old debts and keep his new family together, creating conflict all around him.
Abeckaser also produced with Wild7Films’ Kyle Stefanski and Mike Hermosa, and Above the Clouds’ Jeff Hoffman. Executive producers are Katie Cassidy, Ron Rofe, Isaac Gindi, Eddie Gindi and Gustavo Nascimento.
“I Love Us was such a passion project and a labor of love. I felt the movie deserved to be with a company that really believes and loves the movie like I do. Lisa Romanoff at Vision was the right person for this journey for myself as director along with producers Kyle Stefanski, Mike Hermosa and Jeff Hoffman. We are excited for people to see it.”
***
Level 33 Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Rollers, written and directed by Isaiah Smallman. The film will be available in theaters and on VOD on June 25.
The plot centers on Rufus Paisley (Johnny Ray Gill), a closet alcoholic and whose everything he loves is smashed together into one place: Rollers. He gave up a promising career as a musician in order to keep it alive, but the historic venue, once owned by his parents, is in trouble and he’s running out of ways to save it, and himself. His friends urge him to move on, but can he?
Kevin Bigley, Vicky Jeudy, Kate Cobb, Joel Allen and Spencer Rayshon Stevenson also star. Smallman and Tara Ansley produced the pic, which was executive produced by Tiffany Boyle, Bryce McGuire, Elsa Ramo and Eric Costello.
The deal was negotiated by Boyle and Erika Canchola on behalf of the filmmakers and by Andreas Olavarria and Kate Sheffield on behalf of Level 33.
***
Gravitas Ventures has acquired rights to the sports documentary Resurgence, directed by social media fitness stars Heber Cannon and Marston Sawyers (aka the Buttery Bros). The pic, which follows the shakeup of the worldwide annual fitness competition The CrossFit Games in the midst of the pandemic, will debut on iTunes and Apple TV on July 20, followed by digital platforms and VOD on August 3.
“With Covid-19 restrictions allowing for only 10 athletes versus the usual 80-100+, it’s the first and possibly last year we will be able to tell interesting angles from every athlete competing,” the directors said. “We are honored to have been there for this intimate event, and excited for the world to see the behind the scenes of what went on at the 2020 CrossFit Games.”
“The collaboration among the Buttery Bros., CrossFit HQ, and Gravitas has been smooth and it’s great to get the band back together,” said Michael Murphy, President of Gravitas Ventures. “Previous CrossFit films are immediate best-sellers, and we expect the same from Resurgence which is awesome in scope, story-telling, and quality.”
***
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles‘ Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature went toTamil director Thamizh’s debut film Seththumaan (Pig) as the 19th edition of the fest wrapped its run this week. The Features Jury gave honorable mention to Malayalam film Biriyaani, directed by Sajin Baabu. Ajitpal Singh’s debut feature Fire in the Mountains won the Audience Award for Best Feature.
The Grand Jury Prize for Best Short went to Karishma Dev Dube for Bittu, while the Audience Award for Best Short went to Aarti Neharsh’s queer love story The Song We Sang.
***
Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American VOD rights to the World War II feature documentary Lost Airmen of Buchenwald. It will hit digital platforms June 15.
Written and directed by Mike Dorsey, the doc tells the story of the 168 Allied airmen in World War II who fought for survival in Germany’s infamous Buchenwald Concentration Camp after they were caught by the German Gestapo while hiding with the French Resistance. Facing starvation, disease, execution, forced marches, and even a bombing by their own side, the airmen are in a race against time to get out of Buchenwald alive.
Dorsey, Gerald Baron, Frank Imhof and Duane McNett are producers. Freestyle negotiated the deal with A3 Artists Agency representing Dorsey.
Here’s the trailer:...
- 5/28/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Endeavor Content has boarded world sales rights to documentary A Fire Within, which tells the remarkable true story of three Ethiopian women’s fight to bring a torturer to justice in America.
Ethiopian-born model and actress Liya Kebede has also joined the project as executive producer ahead of its world premiere tomorrow at the Atlanta Film Festival.
A Fire Within charts the little known history of three Ethiopian women who immigrate to America after surviving torture in their home country and, several years later, discover that the man responsible for their torture is not only living in America but is working at the same Atlanta hotel as one of the women. The film documents the women’s harrowing and historic attempt over many years to bring their torturer to justice in Atlanta.
Director Christopher Chambers’ produces with Fmrl Media and Above the Clouds.
“I was so touched and moved by this story,...
Ethiopian-born model and actress Liya Kebede has also joined the project as executive producer ahead of its world premiere tomorrow at the Atlanta Film Festival.
A Fire Within charts the little known history of three Ethiopian women who immigrate to America after surviving torture in their home country and, several years later, discover that the man responsible for their torture is not only living in America but is working at the same Atlanta hotel as one of the women. The film documents the women’s harrowing and historic attempt over many years to bring their torturer to justice in Atlanta.
Director Christopher Chambers’ produces with Fmrl Media and Above the Clouds.
“I was so touched and moved by this story,...
- 4/29/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Minka Kelly has joined Harvey Keitel, Sam Worthington and AnnaSophia Robb in the cast of Eytan Rockaway’s (The Abandoned) upcoming biopic Lansky, about the infamous gangster Meyer Lansky, a contemporary of Bugsy Siegel. As previously announced, Keitel plays the notorious Lansky.
Also rounding out the cast are Orange Is the New Black‘s Jackie Cruz, John Magaro (The Big Short) who plays the younger Lansky, David Cade (upcoming Michael Shannon movie Swing) as Siegel, David James Elliot and Alon Aboutboul.
Shooting is currently underway in Alabama, with Voltage Pictures handling international sales at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin.
Rockaway wrote the script depicting Lansky in various stages of his life. It’s partially based on his father Robert Rockaway’s interviews with the real-life Lansky, which were part of his extensive research into America’s key crime figures.
Also rounding out the cast are Orange Is the New Black‘s Jackie Cruz, John Magaro (The Big Short) who plays the younger Lansky, David Cade (upcoming Michael Shannon movie Swing) as Siegel, David James Elliot and Alon Aboutboul.
Shooting is currently underway in Alabama, with Voltage Pictures handling international sales at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin.
Rockaway wrote the script depicting Lansky in various stages of his life. It’s partially based on his father Robert Rockaway’s interviews with the real-life Lansky, which were part of his extensive research into America’s key crime figures.
- 2/13/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Sometimes digging around for the truth can lead to unmentionable horrors. Thankfully in our genre people who do this are in abundance and always on hand to be dispatched in ludicrously violent ways. Speaking of which... read on for your first word on The Confines.
From the Press Release
Mike Landry and Carlos Velazquez of C Plus Pictures announce Louisa Krause (Martha Marcy May Marlene), Jason Patric (The Lost Boys, My Sister’s Keeper), and Mark Margolis (The Wrestler, "Breaking Bad") will star in the psychological thriller The Confines, written by Ido Fluk and directed by Eytan Rockaway. The film was formerly known as “Lot 451” and marks Rockaway’s feature film directorial debut.
Shooting just wrapped in New York. Mike Landry and Carlos Velazquez produced the film along with co-producers Ryan Charles Griffin and Claudia Bellante and executive producers Allen Loeb, Jeff Hoffman, and Luigi Ghilardi II. Arclight Film’s...
From the Press Release
Mike Landry and Carlos Velazquez of C Plus Pictures announce Louisa Krause (Martha Marcy May Marlene), Jason Patric (The Lost Boys, My Sister’s Keeper), and Mark Margolis (The Wrestler, "Breaking Bad") will star in the psychological thriller The Confines, written by Ido Fluk and directed by Eytan Rockaway. The film was formerly known as “Lot 451” and marks Rockaway’s feature film directorial debut.
Shooting just wrapped in New York. Mike Landry and Carlos Velazquez produced the film along with co-producers Ryan Charles Griffin and Claudia Bellante and executive producers Allen Loeb, Jeff Hoffman, and Luigi Ghilardi II. Arclight Film’s...
- 12/11/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Production has wrapped in New York on C Plus Pictures’ psychological thriller starring Louisa Krause, Jason Patric and Mark Margolis. Arclight handles international sales.
Eytan Rockaway directs the film formerly known as Lot 451 from a screenplay by Ido Fluk.
The Confines is set in a vast vacant residential complex where a single mother bullied by her boyfriend and his friend must confront the mystery of the building.
C Plus Pictures’ Mike Landry and Carlos Velazquez produce and the executive producers are Allen Loeb, Jeff Hoffman and Luigi Ghilardi II.
Traction Media’s Maren Olsen and CAA’s Nick Ogiony represent North American sales.
Eytan Rockaway directs the film formerly known as Lot 451 from a screenplay by Ido Fluk.
The Confines is set in a vast vacant residential complex where a single mother bullied by her boyfriend and his friend must confront the mystery of the building.
C Plus Pictures’ Mike Landry and Carlos Velazquez produce and the executive producers are Allen Loeb, Jeff Hoffman and Luigi Ghilardi II.
Traction Media’s Maren Olsen and CAA’s Nick Ogiony represent North American sales.
- 12/10/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
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