Exclusive: AI firm Flawless, distributor-financier XYZ Films (Mandy), and producer Tea Shop Productions (The Fall) have acquired Michel Gondry’s 2023 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight movie The Book Of Solutions for all English-speaking territories.
Directed and written by Gondry, the French-language comedy is the first film in seven years from the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep filmmaker.
It will be releases simultaneously in the original French language and converted to a director-approved English-language version using Flawless’ TrueSync AI technology, which became known after movies like The Fall. You can read about Flawless’ “visual translation” techniques and acquisitions strategy in our story here.
Pic stars Pierre Niney, Blanche Gardin, Francoise Lebrun and Vincent Elbaz and was produced by George Bermann at Partizan.
In the film, Marc (Niney), a bipolar and paranoid filmmaker, is having trouble with his latest project. With his editor as an accomplice, he manages...
Directed and written by Gondry, the French-language comedy is the first film in seven years from the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep filmmaker.
It will be releases simultaneously in the original French language and converted to a director-approved English-language version using Flawless’ TrueSync AI technology, which became known after movies like The Fall. You can read about Flawless’ “visual translation” techniques and acquisitions strategy in our story here.
Pic stars Pierre Niney, Blanche Gardin, Francoise Lebrun and Vincent Elbaz and was produced by George Bermann at Partizan.
In the film, Marc (Niney), a bipolar and paranoid filmmaker, is having trouble with his latest project. With his editor as an accomplice, he manages...
- 5/23/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
XYZ Films has acquired U.S. rights to the classic Cannes Directors’ Fortnight title “The World is Yours” directed by Romain Gavras from StudioCanal and to the TIFF hit film “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” directed by Simon Hawkins and Zeke Hawkins. The hyper-stylized films are the first titles in a new XYZ initiative to introduce audiences to classic festival hits that cater to cinema fans.
“The World is Yours” premiered at Cannes in 2018 and stars Karim Leklou, Isabelle Adjani, Vincent Cassel and Oulaya Amamra and was co-written by Gavras, Karim Boukercha and Noe Debre. In the film, a mid-level drug dealer (Leklou) dreams of having a new life, but his mother (Adjani) has gambled away his savings. He must take one last job in Spain, but his entourage gets involved: his mother, his ex-con friend, his crush, and possibly The Illuminati.
Meanwhile, “We Gotta Get Out of This Place...
“The World is Yours” premiered at Cannes in 2018 and stars Karim Leklou, Isabelle Adjani, Vincent Cassel and Oulaya Amamra and was co-written by Gavras, Karim Boukercha and Noe Debre. In the film, a mid-level drug dealer (Leklou) dreams of having a new life, but his mother (Adjani) has gambled away his savings. He must take one last job in Spain, but his entourage gets involved: his mother, his ex-con friend, his crush, and possibly The Illuminati.
Meanwhile, “We Gotta Get Out of This Place...
- 5/22/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Tatami, the groundbreaking Iranian drama co-directed by Oscar winner Guy Nattiv (Golda) and Cannes best actress winner Zar Amir Ebrahimi, has been picked up by XYZ Films for North America, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Based on real-life stories, the Farsi-language drama sees Arienne Mandi play Leila, an Iranian female judo athlete who travels to a world championship with her coach, played by Ebrahimi. Midway through the competition, they receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to fake an injury and lose, or she will be branded a traitor of the state.
With her own freedom as well as her family’s at stake, she’s faced with an impossible choice: comply with the Iranian regime as her coach implores her to do, or fight on for the gold.
Tatami is the first feature film to have Iranian and Israeli filmmakers as co-directors. Nattiv directed the 2023 film Golda,...
Based on real-life stories, the Farsi-language drama sees Arienne Mandi play Leila, an Iranian female judo athlete who travels to a world championship with her coach, played by Ebrahimi. Midway through the competition, they receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to fake an injury and lose, or she will be branded a traitor of the state.
With her own freedom as well as her family’s at stake, she’s faced with an impossible choice: comply with the Iranian regime as her coach implores her to do, or fight on for the gold.
Tatami is the first feature film to have Iranian and Israeli filmmakers as co-directors. Nattiv directed the 2023 film Golda,...
- 2/17/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Tatami,” the Iranian drama from co-directors Guy Nattiv and Zar Amir, has been picked up by XYZ Films for North America, where both lip-synched English and original language versions will be released later this year.
The feature, which bowed in Venice 2023 where it won the Brian Award, made history by becoming the first film to be jointly directed by an Iranian and an Israeli filmmaker.
Starring Arienne Mandi, Amir, Jaime Ray Newman and Ash Goldeh, and written by Nattiv — an Oscar winner for his short film “Skin” — and Elham Erfani, “Tatami” is set during the Judo World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. Midway through the competition, Iranian female judo fighter Leila (Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Amir ) receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to fake an injury and lose, lest she be branded a traitor of the state. With her own and her family’s freedom at stake,...
The feature, which bowed in Venice 2023 where it won the Brian Award, made history by becoming the first film to be jointly directed by an Iranian and an Israeli filmmaker.
Starring Arienne Mandi, Amir, Jaime Ray Newman and Ash Goldeh, and written by Nattiv — an Oscar winner for his short film “Skin” — and Elham Erfani, “Tatami” is set during the Judo World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. Midway through the competition, Iranian female judo fighter Leila (Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Amir ) receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to fake an injury and lose, lest she be branded a traitor of the state. With her own and her family’s freedom at stake,...
- 2/17/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Ahead of EFM 2024, XYZ Films has promoted James Emanuel Shapiro to President of Domestic Distribution, upping Alex Williams to Sr. Manager, Acquisitions and Development.
Shapiro, formerly the Executive Vice President of U.S. Distribution, reports to XYZ CEO Nick Spicer and Partner Nate Bolotin. The promotions come following XYZ’s recent hiring of Celine Lin for the role of Senior VP of International Sales.
XYZ launched its domestic distribution arm in 2021 and has since then released films from Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead (Something in the Dirt), Nic Cassavetes (God Is a Bullet) and Michelle Garza (Huesera: The Bone Woman).
Said the Partners at XYZ in a joint statement, “These are well deserved promotions and we couldn’t be happier for James and Alex. James has done a terrific job launching the division, with strong support from Alex, and we’re excited about our upcoming slate.”
Prior to his time at XYZ Films,...
Shapiro, formerly the Executive Vice President of U.S. Distribution, reports to XYZ CEO Nick Spicer and Partner Nate Bolotin. The promotions come following XYZ’s recent hiring of Celine Lin for the role of Senior VP of International Sales.
XYZ launched its domestic distribution arm in 2021 and has since then released films from Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead (Something in the Dirt), Nic Cassavetes (God Is a Bullet) and Michelle Garza (Huesera: The Bone Woman).
Said the Partners at XYZ in a joint statement, “These are well deserved promotions and we couldn’t be happier for James and Alex. James has done a terrific job launching the division, with strong support from Alex, and we’re excited about our upcoming slate.”
Prior to his time at XYZ Films,...
- 2/12/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: XYZ Films has acquired U.S. and Australia/Nz rights to distribute the TIFF sports drama Backspot, directed by first-time feature filmmaker D.W. Waterson and starring Devery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs) and Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld).
XYZ Films will release the film domestically and has set a theatrical release for spring of 2024.
The rights deal was negotiated by UTA Independent Film Group with James Emanuel Shapiro from XYZ Films.
In the film, an ambitious cheerleader (Jacobs) faces both new adversity and the increased drive for perfection and triumph when she and her girlfriend are selected for an all-star cheer squad with an overbearing head coach (Evan Rachel Wood).
The film was written by Joanne Sarazen with a story by D.W. Waterson, and is produced by Alona Metzer, D.W. Waterson, Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs and Martin Katz, and is executive-produced by Elliot Page, Matthew Jordan Smith, J.C. Davidson and Katisha Shaw,...
XYZ Films will release the film domestically and has set a theatrical release for spring of 2024.
The rights deal was negotiated by UTA Independent Film Group with James Emanuel Shapiro from XYZ Films.
In the film, an ambitious cheerleader (Jacobs) faces both new adversity and the increased drive for perfection and triumph when she and her girlfriend are selected for an all-star cheer squad with an overbearing head coach (Evan Rachel Wood).
The film was written by Joanne Sarazen with a story by D.W. Waterson, and is produced by Alona Metzer, D.W. Waterson, Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs and Martin Katz, and is executive-produced by Elliot Page, Matthew Jordan Smith, J.C. Davidson and Katisha Shaw,...
- 12/4/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Director Ryoo Seung-wan’s Smugglers has been acquired ahead of its Gala Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Flawless, along with XYZ Films and Tea Shop Productions, announced today their acquisition of the South Korean crime-action epic. Deadline reported in May that Flawless, co-founded by filmmaker Scott Mann (Fall), had partnered with U.S. seller and distributor XYZ Films (Run Rabbit Run) and UK producer Tea Shop Productions (47 Meters Down) to acquire rights to foreign-language films and convert them to English for distribution in English-speaking territories.
Ryoo Seung-wan has helmed some of South Korea’s most commercially-successful titles and earned seven nominations from the Grand Bell Awards, the country’s equivalent of the Academy Awards. Set in the 1970s, the film tells the story of a pair of haenyeo — women free divers who harvest shellfish — who are driven to underwater smuggling and must battle it out with a...
Flawless, along with XYZ Films and Tea Shop Productions, announced today their acquisition of the South Korean crime-action epic. Deadline reported in May that Flawless, co-founded by filmmaker Scott Mann (Fall), had partnered with U.S. seller and distributor XYZ Films (Run Rabbit Run) and UK producer Tea Shop Productions (47 Meters Down) to acquire rights to foreign-language films and convert them to English for distribution in English-speaking territories.
Ryoo Seung-wan has helmed some of South Korea’s most commercially-successful titles and earned seven nominations from the Grand Bell Awards, the country’s equivalent of the Academy Awards. Set in the 1970s, the film tells the story of a pair of haenyeo — women free divers who harvest shellfish — who are driven to underwater smuggling and must battle it out with a...
- 9/8/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Flawless, XYZ Films and Tea Shop Productions have acquired the Cannes Critics’ Week selection “Vincent Must Die” for all English-speaking territories from Goodfellas.
Flawless, the pioneering film technology company and a leader in the field of visual translation, recently announced it has launched a partnership with XYZ Films and Tea Shop Productions to acquire rights to foreign-language films, converting them to English for distribution in relevant markets.
Directed by Stéphan Castang, “Vincent Must Die” is written by Mathieu Naert, produced by Thierry Lounas and Claire Bonnefoy, and stars Karim Leklou and Vimala Pons. In the film, an ordinary man finds himself fighting for his life after he goes out one day and is mysteriously attacked by random strangers in the street with the intent to kill him.
This is the first film from the production company Wild West. Goodfellas and Capricci joined forces to create Wild West, a production company...
Flawless, the pioneering film technology company and a leader in the field of visual translation, recently announced it has launched a partnership with XYZ Films and Tea Shop Productions to acquire rights to foreign-language films, converting them to English for distribution in relevant markets.
Directed by Stéphan Castang, “Vincent Must Die” is written by Mathieu Naert, produced by Thierry Lounas and Claire Bonnefoy, and stars Karim Leklou and Vimala Pons. In the film, an ordinary man finds himself fighting for his life after he goes out one day and is mysteriously attacked by random strangers in the street with the intent to kill him.
This is the first film from the production company Wild West. Goodfellas and Capricci joined forces to create Wild West, a production company...
- 5/21/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: AI is in the eye of the storm in LA right now amid the writers’ strike and is also a talking point at the Cannes Film Festival due to the de-aging of Harrison Ford for Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny.
We can reveal an interesting development in the Cannes market with news that generative AI firm Flawless, co-founded by filmmaker Scott Mann (Fall), is partnering with U.S. seller and distributor XYZ Films (Run Rabbit Run) and UK producer Tea Shop Productions (47 Meters Down) to acquire rights to foreign-language films, converting them to English for distribution in English-speaking territories.
The plan is for Flawless’ TrueSync technology to create lip-synced versions of acquired titles, and XYZ will distribute them. The idea is to offer an alternative to subtitles and out-of-sync dubs. The company will also distribute the original versions alongside.
The TrueSync tech was used in recent...
We can reveal an interesting development in the Cannes market with news that generative AI firm Flawless, co-founded by filmmaker Scott Mann (Fall), is partnering with U.S. seller and distributor XYZ Films (Run Rabbit Run) and UK producer Tea Shop Productions (47 Meters Down) to acquire rights to foreign-language films, converting them to English for distribution in English-speaking territories.
The plan is for Flawless’ TrueSync technology to create lip-synced versions of acquired titles, and XYZ will distribute them. The idea is to offer an alternative to subtitles and out-of-sync dubs. The company will also distribute the original versions alongside.
The TrueSync tech was used in recent...
- 5/19/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: XYZ Films has claimed North American rights to the sci-fi pic The Artifice Girl, starring Tatum Matthews (The Waltons: Homecoming) and Lance Henriksen (Aliens), which this past weekend had its U.S. premiere at SXSW after world premiering to critical acclaim at Fantasia Film Festival.
The film marking the feature debut of writer-director Franklin Ritch — which like Uni’s horror hit M3GAN, looks at the increasingly top-of-mind subject of AI through a genre prism — is slated for a theatrical release in 15+ U.S. Markets, as well as an accompanying digital debut this spring.
Related Story Oliver Stone Documentary ‘Nuclear Now’ Acquired By Abramorama, Giant Pictures Related Story Netflix Hops On 'Run Rabbit Run', Acquires XYZ Films Sundance Midnight Title Starring Sarah Snook Related Story Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead's Rustic Films Teams With V Channels & XYZ On Genre Slate
The Artifice Girl follows a small team of...
The film marking the feature debut of writer-director Franklin Ritch — which like Uni’s horror hit M3GAN, looks at the increasingly top-of-mind subject of AI through a genre prism — is slated for a theatrical release in 15+ U.S. Markets, as well as an accompanying digital debut this spring.
Related Story Oliver Stone Documentary ‘Nuclear Now’ Acquired By Abramorama, Giant Pictures Related Story Netflix Hops On 'Run Rabbit Run', Acquires XYZ Films Sundance Midnight Title Starring Sarah Snook Related Story Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead's Rustic Films Teams With V Channels & XYZ On Genre Slate
The Artifice Girl follows a small team of...
- 3/14/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Shal Ngo's dystopian thriller The Park is now available on VOD from XYZ films and we have an exclusive clip just for Daily Dead readers! In a world where all adults have been killed off and only children remain, the story follows young survivors that fight for control of an abandoned theme park:
"A tale of apocalyptic adventure and survival set within a long-abandoned amusement park, the thriller, which occurs in a world without adults, stars an amazing ensemble of young talent.
Filmmaker Shal Ngo's feature debut is a thrilling, dark journey through a dystopian world where children rule - and life is fleeting.
When a mysterious virus starts killing all adults, society is left to be governed by children living on borrowed time. After the adult population is wiped out, rival kids battle for control of an abandoned theme park. Danger lurks around every corner, and they must...
"A tale of apocalyptic adventure and survival set within a long-abandoned amusement park, the thriller, which occurs in a world without adults, stars an amazing ensemble of young talent.
Filmmaker Shal Ngo's feature debut is a thrilling, dark journey through a dystopian world where children rule - and life is fleeting.
When a mysterious virus starts killing all adults, society is left to be governed by children living on borrowed time. After the adult population is wiped out, rival kids battle for control of an abandoned theme park. Danger lurks around every corner, and they must...
- 3/6/2023
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Malum: "Malum is a bold and expanded reimagining of the 2014 horror cult classic, Last Shift. On a search to uncover the mysterious circumstances surrounding her father’s death, a newly appointed police officer, Jessica Loren (Jessica Sula) is assigned to the last shift in a decommissioned police station where a notoriously vicious cult saw their demise years prior. The lone officer at the station, she soon finds herself barraged by terrifying paranormal events, and in the process, is taken on a journey during which she learns the shocking truth behind her family’s entanglement with a demented cult leader. Malum takes the premise of the 2014 festival hit and flips it on its head, thrusting viewers into an unrelenting, adrenaline-fueled, bloody cult nightmare."
Title: Malum Director: Anthony Diblasi Screenwriters: Anthony Diblasi, Scott Poiley Producers: Scott Poiley, Dan Clifton Executive Producers: Mary Poiley, Luke Labeau, Eric Kleifield, Bonner Bellew, Justin Brown...
Title: Malum Director: Anthony Diblasi Screenwriters: Anthony Diblasi, Scott Poiley Producers: Scott Poiley, Dan Clifton Executive Producers: Mary Poiley, Luke Labeau, Eric Kleifield, Bonner Bellew, Justin Brown...
- 3/5/2023
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Ahead of its World Premiere at New Orleans’ Overlook Film Festival, Bloody Disgusting has learned that XYZ Films has boarded Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism, a chilling Australian horror movie. From director Nick Kozakis, XYZ Films has acquired North American distribution rights.
The distributor plans to wide release the film on VOD April 6, 2023.
In Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism, “Lara is a woman tormented, torn between science and faith. Pushed by her husband to seek treatment from a congregation of zealots, a ruthless exorcist will try to save her soul by putting an innocent woman through hell.”
Directed by Nick Kozakis from a screenplay by Alexander Angliss-Wilson, the film stars Georgia Eyers, Dan Ewing, Tim Pocock, Rosie Traynor, and Eliza Matengu.
Director Nick Kozakis says of the film’s World Premiere at Overlook, “We’re excited to be a part of the festival and can’t wait to be there in person for the screening!
The distributor plans to wide release the film on VOD April 6, 2023.
In Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism, “Lara is a woman tormented, torn between science and faith. Pushed by her husband to seek treatment from a congregation of zealots, a ruthless exorcist will try to save her soul by putting an innocent woman through hell.”
Directed by Nick Kozakis from a screenplay by Alexander Angliss-Wilson, the film stars Georgia Eyers, Dan Ewing, Tim Pocock, Rosie Traynor, and Eliza Matengu.
Director Nick Kozakis says of the film’s World Premiere at Overlook, “We’re excited to be a part of the festival and can’t wait to be there in person for the screening!
- 3/2/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Writer/director Shal Ngo’s dystopian coming-of-age thriller The Park was clearly made on a low budget, but it also looks like the kind of film that could earn a solid cult following once XYZ Films gives it a VOD release in North America on March 2nd. To see if this post-apocalyptic story about kids going to war with each other is the sort of movie you’d like to check out, take a look at the trailer embedded above.
Set in a world without adults, The Park is “a tale of apocalyptic adventure and survival set within a long-abandoned amusement park”. Here’s the synopsis: When a mysterious virus starts killing all adults, society is left to be governed by children living on borrowed time. After the adult population is wiped out, rival kids battle for control of an abandoned theme park. Danger lurks around every corner, and they...
Set in a world without adults, The Park is “a tale of apocalyptic adventure and survival set within a long-abandoned amusement park”. Here’s the synopsis: When a mysterious virus starts killing all adults, society is left to be governed by children living on borrowed time. After the adult population is wiped out, rival kids battle for control of an abandoned theme park. Danger lurks around every corner, and they...
- 2/24/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The Park: "XYZ Films is proud to announce that they will be releasing Shal Ngo's dystopian thriller The Park on North American VOD March 2nd. A tale of apocalyptic adventure and survival set within a long-abandoned amusement park, the thriller, which occurs in a world without adults, stars an amazing ensemble of young talent.
Filmmaker Shal Ngo's feature debut is a thrilling, dark journey through a dystopian world where children rule - and life is fleeting.
When a mysterious virus starts killing all adults, society is left to be governed by children living on borrowed time. After the adult population is wiped out, rival kids battle for control of an abandoned theme park. Danger lurks around every corner, and they must do whatever it takes to survive their hellish Neverland.
James Emanuel Shapiro, XYZ Films' Executive Vice President of U.S. Distribution, notes, "The Park is one of the...
Filmmaker Shal Ngo's feature debut is a thrilling, dark journey through a dystopian world where children rule - and life is fleeting.
When a mysterious virus starts killing all adults, society is left to be governed by children living on borrowed time. After the adult population is wiped out, rival kids battle for control of an abandoned theme park. Danger lurks around every corner, and they must do whatever it takes to survive their hellish Neverland.
James Emanuel Shapiro, XYZ Films' Executive Vice President of U.S. Distribution, notes, "The Park is one of the...
- 2/10/2023
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
In retrospect, trapping a whole generation of filmmakers inside their houses with professional grade production equipment for months on end was destined to have an impact on their artistic output. It’s been a few years since the early height of the Covid-19 pandemic, but we’re still uncovering all the strange, low-fidelity projects these artisans came up with.
“Something in the Dirt” is one of the more interesting, if less focused examples.
Directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, written by Benson, photographed by Moorhead, and co-starring Benson and Moorhead — the two have since gone on to co-direct episodes of “Moon Knight” — “Something in the Dirt” is a sad, paranoid story of two Los Angeles wastrels who just happen to live next to each other. Levi Danube (Benson) is a shiftless asexual bartender with an extremely unfortunate arrest record, and John Daniels (Moorhead) is a shiftless divorcée who belongs...
“Something in the Dirt” is one of the more interesting, if less focused examples.
Directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, written by Benson, photographed by Moorhead, and co-starring Benson and Moorhead — the two have since gone on to co-direct episodes of “Moon Knight” — “Something in the Dirt” is a sad, paranoid story of two Los Angeles wastrels who just happen to live next to each other. Levi Danube (Benson) is a shiftless asexual bartender with an extremely unfortunate arrest record, and John Daniels (Moorhead) is a shiftless divorcée who belongs...
- 11/4/2022
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
After spending two years as the Senior Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs at Blumhouse Productions and producing such films as Country Gold, Vengeance, The Voyeurs, and the poorly received 2019 version of Black Christmas, Zac Locke has now made his feature writing and directing debut with the supernatural slasher #Float, and Deadline reports that XYZ Films has acquired the North American distribution rights to the film. They’re planning to release it on December 8th.
#Float follows the young, beautiful, and full-of-life vlogger Kali and her pals, who are heading to the river for their annual lazy river float, the first one since their friend Chuy overdosed and drowned a year earlier. But their partying suddenly takes a dark turn when a mysterious force plunges them into a life-and-death struggle, forcing them to face their own fears as they turn on each other – and proceed to die one by one.
#Float follows the young, beautiful, and full-of-life vlogger Kali and her pals, who are heading to the river for their annual lazy river float, the first one since their friend Chuy overdosed and drowned a year earlier. But their partying suddenly takes a dark turn when a mysterious force plunges them into a life-and-death struggle, forcing them to face their own fears as they turn on each other – and proceed to die one by one.
- 11/3/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Another slasher movie is headed our way before the year is out, with Deadline reporting that XYZ Films has acquired a movie titled #Float, billed as a supernatural slasher movie.
XYZ Films will release the film domestically on December 8, 2022.
Zac Locke (Black Christmas 2019 – Producer) wrote and directed #Float.
“The film follows the young, beautiful, and full-of-life vlogger Kali (Kate Mayhew) and her pals who are heading to the river for their annual lazy river float, the first one since their friend Chuy overdosed and drowned a year earlier. But their partying suddenly takes a dark turn when a mysterious force plunges them into a life-and-death struggle, forcing them to face their own fears as they turn on each other – and proceed to die one by one.”
Scarlett Sperduto (Those Who Walk Away), Kaya Coleman (Dangerous Game: The Legacy Murders), Grant Morningstar (Meathook), and Christina Nguyen (Lion) also star.
XYZ Films’ James Emanuel Shapiro said,...
XYZ Films will release the film domestically on December 8, 2022.
Zac Locke (Black Christmas 2019 – Producer) wrote and directed #Float.
“The film follows the young, beautiful, and full-of-life vlogger Kali (Kate Mayhew) and her pals who are heading to the river for their annual lazy river float, the first one since their friend Chuy overdosed and drowned a year earlier. But their partying suddenly takes a dark turn when a mysterious force plunges them into a life-and-death struggle, forcing them to face their own fears as they turn on each other – and proceed to die one by one.”
Scarlett Sperduto (Those Who Walk Away), Kaya Coleman (Dangerous Game: The Legacy Murders), Grant Morningstar (Meathook), and Christina Nguyen (Lion) also star.
XYZ Films’ James Emanuel Shapiro said,...
- 11/3/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: XYZ Films has picked up the North American distribution rights to the supernatural slasher #Float, written and directed by Zac Locke (Black Christmas) and starring newcomer Kate Mayhew.
The deal was negotiated by XYZ’s Executive VP of U.S. Distribution, James Emanuel Shapiro. XYZ Films will release the film domestically on December 8.
The film follows the young, beautiful, and full-of-life vlogger Kali (Mayhew) and her pals who are heading to the river for their annual lazy river float, the first one since their friend Chuy overdosed and drowned a year earlier. But their partying suddenly takes a dark turn when a mysterious force plunges them into a life-and-death struggle, forcing them to face their own fears as they turn on each other – and proceed to die one by one.
The flick is the first from Locke’s genre micro-studio Rotting Press and it recently had its festival premiere...
The deal was negotiated by XYZ’s Executive VP of U.S. Distribution, James Emanuel Shapiro. XYZ Films will release the film domestically on December 8.
The film follows the young, beautiful, and full-of-life vlogger Kali (Mayhew) and her pals who are heading to the river for their annual lazy river float, the first one since their friend Chuy overdosed and drowned a year earlier. But their partying suddenly takes a dark turn when a mysterious force plunges them into a life-and-death struggle, forcing them to face their own fears as they turn on each other – and proceed to die one by one.
The flick is the first from Locke’s genre micro-studio Rotting Press and it recently had its festival premiere...
- 11/3/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Bloody Disgusting has learned today that XYZ Films has acquired North American rights to the cannibal horror movie Feed Me, directed by Adam Leader and Richard Oakes. XYZ Films has dated the release for October 27 on all digital and on demand platforms.
The film stars Neal Ward, Christopher Mulvin, Hannah Al Rashid and Samantha Loxley. It was produced by Ed Polgardy (The Wretched) along with Adam Leader, Richard Oakes and Neal Ward and will receive its world premiere next month at Los Angeles’s pre-eminent film festival, Beyond Fest, produced by Javier Diaz.
Feed Me follows Mulvin’s character Jed, whose life is shattered when his wife, played by Loxley, suddenly dies and Jed feels directly responsible.
“Spiraling into an abyss of depression, he finds himself in a bar with deranged cannibal, Lionel Flack who convinces him he can redeem himself through the glorious act of allowing himself to be slowly eaten to death.
The film stars Neal Ward, Christopher Mulvin, Hannah Al Rashid and Samantha Loxley. It was produced by Ed Polgardy (The Wretched) along with Adam Leader, Richard Oakes and Neal Ward and will receive its world premiere next month at Los Angeles’s pre-eminent film festival, Beyond Fest, produced by Javier Diaz.
Feed Me follows Mulvin’s character Jed, whose life is shattered when his wife, played by Loxley, suddenly dies and Jed feels directly responsible.
“Spiraling into an abyss of depression, he finds himself in a bar with deranged cannibal, Lionel Flack who convinces him he can redeem himself through the glorious act of allowing himself to be slowly eaten to death.
- 9/15/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
XYZ Films Picks Up North American Rights To Beyond Fest Cannibal Horror Film “Feed Me”: "XYZ Films announces it has acquired North American rights to Feed Me, directed by Adam Leader and Richard Oakes. The film stars Neal Ward, Christopher Mulvin, Hannah Al Rashid and Samantha Loxley. It was produced by Ed Polgardy (The Wretched) along with Adam Leader, Richard Oakes and Neal Ward and will receive its world premiere next month at Los Angeles’s pre-eminent film festival, Beyond Fest, produced by Javier Diaz. XYZ Films has dated the release for October 27th on all digital and on demand platforms. XYZ Films’s EVP of US distribution, James Emanuel Shapiro, negotiated the deal directly with the film’s four producers.
Feed Me follows Mulvin’s character Jed, whose life is shattered when his wife, played by Loxley, suddenly dies and Jed feels directly responsible. Spiraling into an abyss of depression,...
Feed Me follows Mulvin’s character Jed, whose life is shattered when his wife, played by Loxley, suddenly dies and Jed feels directly responsible. Spiraling into an abyss of depression,...
- 9/15/2022
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Exclusive: XYZ Films has acquired North American distribution rights to thriller Dash, a “one-take feature” about an adulterous rideshare driver navigating the streets of Hollywood.
Written and directed by Sean Perry and starring Alexander Molina, the film follows Milly (Molina), a rideshare driver who leads a double life. Over the course of one night shift behind the wheel, he attempts to sell drugs to his unassuming passengers. As the night progresses, his life takes a turn for the worse as he desperately tries to take the secret of his nefarious double life to the grave. The film’s locations included Hollywood Boulevard with shooting taking place in real time.
The deal was negotiated by XYZ’s Executive VP of U.S. Distribution, James Emanuel Shapiro and Spam Pictures. XYZ plans to release the film domestically late this fall.
Molina also serves as executive producer and is co-creator of Spam Pictures.
Written and directed by Sean Perry and starring Alexander Molina, the film follows Milly (Molina), a rideshare driver who leads a double life. Over the course of one night shift behind the wheel, he attempts to sell drugs to his unassuming passengers. As the night progresses, his life takes a turn for the worse as he desperately tries to take the secret of his nefarious double life to the grave. The film’s locations included Hollywood Boulevard with shooting taking place in real time.
The deal was negotiated by XYZ’s Executive VP of U.S. Distribution, James Emanuel Shapiro and Spam Pictures. XYZ plans to release the film domestically late this fall.
Molina also serves as executive producer and is co-creator of Spam Pictures.
- 8/18/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: XYZ Films has acquired North American rights from FilmSharks to the Argentinian horror film Legions, directed by Fabian Forte.
The film stars Germán De Silva and Lorena Vega and was produced by Javier Diaz. Pic premiered at Fantasia Fest in Montreal this past weekend, and also won best script at the 2022 Fantaspoa. XYZ Films is looking for a late 2022 domestic release.
In Legions, a powerful sorcerer, Antonio, is locked away in an asylum, and wastes away in his imprisonment as evil, demonic forces take control of Argentina. If Antonio can escape the psychiatric hospital, and find his daughter, Helena, their combined strength could save Argentina, but Helena has forgotten her powers. Antonio must reteach her the ways of magic and be humanity’s last hope against this ancient evil.
The North American rights deal was brokered by Valeria Fanego, Matias Fontenla and Guido Rud of FilmSharks on behalf of the filmmakers,...
The film stars Germán De Silva and Lorena Vega and was produced by Javier Diaz. Pic premiered at Fantasia Fest in Montreal this past weekend, and also won best script at the 2022 Fantaspoa. XYZ Films is looking for a late 2022 domestic release.
In Legions, a powerful sorcerer, Antonio, is locked away in an asylum, and wastes away in his imprisonment as evil, demonic forces take control of Argentina. If Antonio can escape the psychiatric hospital, and find his daughter, Helena, their combined strength could save Argentina, but Helena has forgotten her powers. Antonio must reteach her the ways of magic and be humanity’s last hope against this ancient evil.
The North American rights deal was brokered by Valeria Fanego, Matias Fontenla and Guido Rud of FilmSharks on behalf of the filmmakers,...
- 7/25/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
‘He’s Watching’: ‘Don’t Let Go’ Creator Jacob Aaron Estes Enlists Wife & Kids For Latest Horror Film
Exclusive: Don’t Let Go creator Jacob Aaron Estes has enlisted his wife and kids for latest horror thriller He’s Watching. Scroll down for the trailer.
XYZ Films’ feature, which is written and directed by Estes, features Estes’ musician wife Gretchen Lieberum and their children, Iris Serena Estes and Lucas Steel Estes.
Starting off as a project to stave off the boredom of lockdown, He’s Watching was filmed during the height of Covid-19 and quickly turned into a fully-fledged horror film.
When the happy-go-lucky siblings are left alone while their parents recover from an illness, a series of playful pranks they play on each other escalate when they start receiving unsettling images and videos on their phones. As the incoming messages become increasingly nightmarish, Iris and Lucas realize something sinister has taken root in their home.
Estes said “After a year in lockdown making a movie with my family on my phone,...
XYZ Films’ feature, which is written and directed by Estes, features Estes’ musician wife Gretchen Lieberum and their children, Iris Serena Estes and Lucas Steel Estes.
Starting off as a project to stave off the boredom of lockdown, He’s Watching was filmed during the height of Covid-19 and quickly turned into a fully-fledged horror film.
When the happy-go-lucky siblings are left alone while their parents recover from an illness, a series of playful pranks they play on each other escalate when they start receiving unsettling images and videos on their phones. As the incoming messages become increasingly nightmarish, Iris and Lucas realize something sinister has taken root in their home.
Estes said “After a year in lockdown making a movie with my family on my phone,...
- 6/22/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Following its screening at the Overlook Film Festival, XYZ Films has acquired Mark Meir's The Summoned, with plans to release it in July!
Press Release: "XYZ Films is very proud to announce their acquisition of director Mark Meir's Faustian morality tale, The Summoned, out of the 2022 Overlook Film Festival. The distributor is planning a North American release of the film in July of 2022.
In the picture, young Elijah (Hamilton's J. Quinton Johnson) attends a self-help retreat with his rockstar girlfriend Lyn, unaware that the enigmatic doctor who runs the estate has summoned him here to settle a generations-old supernatural debt.
Directed by Meir with a script by Jewish-Ukrainian writer Yuri Baranovsky, The Summoned's powerful cast features Johnson, Emma Fitzpatrick (The Social Network), Salvador Chacon (FX's Mayans M.C.), Angela Gulner (Netflix's Glow), and Freddy Douglas (Hallmark's The Odyssey). A Wicked Myth and Happy Little Guillotine Studios co-production,...
Press Release: "XYZ Films is very proud to announce their acquisition of director Mark Meir's Faustian morality tale, The Summoned, out of the 2022 Overlook Film Festival. The distributor is planning a North American release of the film in July of 2022.
In the picture, young Elijah (Hamilton's J. Quinton Johnson) attends a self-help retreat with his rockstar girlfriend Lyn, unaware that the enigmatic doctor who runs the estate has summoned him here to settle a generations-old supernatural debt.
Directed by Meir with a script by Jewish-Ukrainian writer Yuri Baranovsky, The Summoned's powerful cast features Johnson, Emma Fitzpatrick (The Social Network), Salvador Chacon (FX's Mayans M.C.), Angela Gulner (Netflix's Glow), and Freddy Douglas (Hallmark's The Odyssey). A Wicked Myth and Happy Little Guillotine Studios co-production,...
- 6/8/2022
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
XYZ Films Acquires Tribeca-Bound ‘Huesera’ for North America, Drops First Teaser, Poster (Exclusive)
XYZ Films has acquired writer-director Michelle Garza Cervera’s hotly anticipated breakout feature “Huesera” for theatrical release in North America and has released the first teaser and poster for the film.
“Huesera” is one of the first slate of titles under its new distribution arm and an early pick-up ahead of the Tribeca Film Festival, where the film will world premiere.
The film follows Valeria, whose joy with becoming pregnant dissolves as she is cursed by a dark power. As danger surrounds her, she’s forced deeper into the occult, and a pact with a coven of witches may be her only hope. Valeria is played by Natalia Solián (“500 Millions of Red Shoes”), alongside Alfonso Dosal (“Narcos: Mexico”), Mayra Batalla (“Prayers for the Stolen”), Mercedes Hernández (“Identifying Features”), Aída López (“Capadocia”), and Martha Claudia Moreno.
The film is produced by Machete, Disruptiva Films, and Señor Z and is co-written by Garza Cervera and Abia Castillo.
“Huesera” is one of the first slate of titles under its new distribution arm and an early pick-up ahead of the Tribeca Film Festival, where the film will world premiere.
The film follows Valeria, whose joy with becoming pregnant dissolves as she is cursed by a dark power. As danger surrounds her, she’s forced deeper into the occult, and a pact with a coven of witches may be her only hope. Valeria is played by Natalia Solián (“500 Millions of Red Shoes”), alongside Alfonso Dosal (“Narcos: Mexico”), Mayra Batalla (“Prayers for the Stolen”), Mercedes Hernández (“Identifying Features”), Aída López (“Capadocia”), and Martha Claudia Moreno.
The film is produced by Machete, Disruptiva Films, and Señor Z and is co-written by Garza Cervera and Abia Castillo.
- 5/25/2022
- by JD Linville
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: XYZ Films has acquired North American rights to the upcoming horror-thriller Man’s Son, starring Frank Grillo and to be directed by his son, Remy Grillo, with plans for a domestic release either later this year or early next year.
The story surrounds a young couple hoping to create an aesthetically pleasing audition tape for an up-and-coming Charles Manson film. But when the couple chooses an eclectic desert Airbnb as the perfect backdrop, the dark events of the audition material slowly slip into their reality… Eventually, they find themselves intertwined in an occult leader (Grillo)’s sinister plot.
Josh Plasse and Brev Moss wrote the script for the project that Dare Angel is producing in partnership with Mi Nene, which will go before cameras in Yucca Valley, California this month. Plasse, Shakira Barrera, Conor Allyn, Johnny James Fiore, Benjamin Anderson, Jake Allyn and Fabio Lo Fria are producing, with Nidal Kahl,...
The story surrounds a young couple hoping to create an aesthetically pleasing audition tape for an up-and-coming Charles Manson film. But when the couple chooses an eclectic desert Airbnb as the perfect backdrop, the dark events of the audition material slowly slip into their reality… Eventually, they find themselves intertwined in an occult leader (Grillo)’s sinister plot.
Josh Plasse and Brev Moss wrote the script for the project that Dare Angel is producing in partnership with Mi Nene, which will go before cameras in Yucca Valley, California this month. Plasse, Shakira Barrera, Conor Allyn, Johnny James Fiore, Benjamin Anderson, Jake Allyn and Fabio Lo Fria are producing, with Nidal Kahl,...
- 3/1/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Advent Calendar Trailer: "Shudder, AMC Networks’ streamer for horror, thrillers and the supernatural will premiere writer/director Patrick Ridremont’s ornate and elegant French horror fantasy The Advent Calendar exclusively on Thursday, December 9th. Combining Faustian themes and allusions with European folklore and tense, chilling terror, the Shudder Original film provides some highly original holiday season horror.
Eva, an ex-dancer, is now using a wheelchair, unable to walk. When her friend Sophie gives her an old wooden antique advent calendar before Christmas, she realizes each window contains a surprise that triggers repercussions in real life. Some of them are good, but most of them are bad, really bad. Now Eva will have to choose between getting rid of the calendar or walking again – even if it causes death and destruction to everyone she holds dear around her.
The Advent Calendar world premiered earlier this year at London’s Frightfest...
Eva, an ex-dancer, is now using a wheelchair, unable to walk. When her friend Sophie gives her an old wooden antique advent calendar before Christmas, she realizes each window contains a surprise that triggers repercussions in real life. Some of them are good, but most of them are bad, really bad. Now Eva will have to choose between getting rid of the calendar or walking again – even if it causes death and destruction to everyone she holds dear around her.
The Advent Calendar world premiered earlier this year at London’s Frightfest...
- 11/4/2021
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
There is more good news for the Roache-Turner brothers’ zombie action-thriller Wyrmwood: Apocalypse following its Australian premiere last week, with XYZ Films acquiring the global distribution rights and planning a US release of the film.
Written by Kiah and Tristan Roache-Turner, and directed by Kiah, Wyrmwood: Apocalypse is a sequel to their 2015 cult hit Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead.
The film follows special-forces soldier Rhys, played by lead actor Luke Mckenzie, who teams up with a group of super-powered survivors to save a young woman from death by military experimentation. The cast also includes Nick Boshier, Jake Ryan, Bianca Bradey, Tasia Zalar, Shantae Barnes-Cowan, and Jay Gallagher.
Producing are Bronte Pictures, Guerilla Films, Tristan Roache-Turner, and Blake Northfield.
Wyrmwood: Apocalypse will be one of XYZ’s first releases since launching its North American distribution division.
US distribution EVP James Emanuel Shapiro is set to work closely with XYZ president of...
Written by Kiah and Tristan Roache-Turner, and directed by Kiah, Wyrmwood: Apocalypse is a sequel to their 2015 cult hit Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead.
The film follows special-forces soldier Rhys, played by lead actor Luke Mckenzie, who teams up with a group of super-powered survivors to save a young woman from death by military experimentation. The cast also includes Nick Boshier, Jake Ryan, Bianca Bradey, Tasia Zalar, Shantae Barnes-Cowan, and Jay Gallagher.
Producing are Bronte Pictures, Guerilla Films, Tristan Roache-Turner, and Blake Northfield.
Wyrmwood: Apocalypse will be one of XYZ’s first releases since launching its North American distribution division.
US distribution EVP James Emanuel Shapiro is set to work closely with XYZ president of...
- 11/3/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: XYZ Films is launching international sales rights (minus Australia) at the virtual AFM on zombie action thriller Wyrmwood: Apocalypse, which the company will also release in the U.S. next year via its new domestic distribution division.
The film, which recently played at the Sitges, Sydney and Brisbane film festivals, is a sequel to 2014 Australian horror film Wyrmwood: Road Of The Dead and is directed by Kiah Roache-Turner.
Pic follows a soldier in a zombie-infested Australian wasteland who has dedicated his life to tracking and capturing survivors for the Surgeon General in hopes of finding a cure. Cast includes Luke McKenzie (Wentworth), Goran D. Kleut (Alien: Covenant), Bianca Bradey and Shantae Barnes-Cowan.
Script comes from Kiah and Tristan Roache-Turner, and the film was produced by Bronte Pictures, Guerilla Films, Tristan Roache-Turner and Blake Northfield.
The rights deal was negotiated by XYZ’s Vice President, Finance & Production Maxime Cottray and...
The film, which recently played at the Sitges, Sydney and Brisbane film festivals, is a sequel to 2014 Australian horror film Wyrmwood: Road Of The Dead and is directed by Kiah Roache-Turner.
Pic follows a soldier in a zombie-infested Australian wasteland who has dedicated his life to tracking and capturing survivors for the Surgeon General in hopes of finding a cure. Cast includes Luke McKenzie (Wentworth), Goran D. Kleut (Alien: Covenant), Bianca Bradey and Shantae Barnes-Cowan.
Script comes from Kiah and Tristan Roache-Turner, and the film was produced by Bronte Pictures, Guerilla Films, Tristan Roache-Turner and Blake Northfield.
The rights deal was negotiated by XYZ’s Vice President, Finance & Production Maxime Cottray and...
- 11/3/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: XYZ Films’ fledgling domestic distribution division has closed a multiyear, exclusive home entertainment partnership with Decal, beginning with their 2022 film slate.
Decal is the home ent distribution venture launched earlier this year by Neon and Bleecker Street.
Under the XYZ deal, Decal will handle the home entertainment window for all titles released through the XYZ Distribution Label, led by former Drafthouse Films and Neon COO James Emanuel Shapiro.
Upcoming XYZ Film releases include the latest sci-fi feature from Justin Bensen and Aaron Morehead, Something In The Dirt.
The output deal was negotiated by XYZ’s James Emanuel Shapiro and Ayo Kepher-Maat from Decal.
“I’m excited we found a partner as prestigious as Decal to handle our transactional rights. From top to bottom, they have assembled an all-star team of the folks I respect the most in this space,” said James Emanuel Shapiro, EVP of XYZ Films distribution label.
Decal is the home ent distribution venture launched earlier this year by Neon and Bleecker Street.
Under the XYZ deal, Decal will handle the home entertainment window for all titles released through the XYZ Distribution Label, led by former Drafthouse Films and Neon COO James Emanuel Shapiro.
Upcoming XYZ Film releases include the latest sci-fi feature from Justin Bensen and Aaron Morehead, Something In The Dirt.
The output deal was negotiated by XYZ’s James Emanuel Shapiro and Ayo Kepher-Maat from Decal.
“I’m excited we found a partner as prestigious as Decal to handle our transactional rights. From top to bottom, they have assembled an all-star team of the folks I respect the most in this space,” said James Emanuel Shapiro, EVP of XYZ Films distribution label.
- 10/26/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
XYZ Films, the indie studio, financier, producer and global sales company, has expanded into distribution, launching on the first day of the Cannes market with a U.S. distribution arm that will be led by former Neon executive James Emanuel Shapiro.
Shapiro will serve as its executive vice president of U.S. Distribution and will report to XYZ Films CEO Nick Spicer and partner Nate Bolotin. He will work alongside Tatyana Joffe, president of international sales and distribution, on XYZ’s global release slate.
The new division will focus on filmmaker driven, independent genre films from around the world, and the new arm’s first release will be “Something in the Dirt,” the fifth film from directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (“Synchronic”). The film is currently in post-production and is produced by David Lawson and Rustic Films, marking their fifth collaboration with the XYZ Films team.
XYZ will continue...
Shapiro will serve as its executive vice president of U.S. Distribution and will report to XYZ Films CEO Nick Spicer and partner Nate Bolotin. He will work alongside Tatyana Joffe, president of international sales and distribution, on XYZ’s global release slate.
The new division will focus on filmmaker driven, independent genre films from around the world, and the new arm’s first release will be “Something in the Dirt,” the fifth film from directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (“Synchronic”). The film is currently in post-production and is produced by David Lawson and Rustic Films, marking their fifth collaboration with the XYZ Films team.
XYZ will continue...
- 6/21/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Inaugural release hails from Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead.
Capitalising on an opportunity to reach fans of its genre content in the US and coordinate worldwide releases, XYZ Films has launched a US distribution division and hired former Drafthouse Films and Neon executive James Emanuel Shapiro to run it.
The releasing arm’s first film will be Something In The Dirt, the fifth directorial effort from Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead and currently in post-production.
EVP of US distribution Shapiro will report to XYZ Films CEO Nick Spicer and XYZ Films partner Nate Bolotin. He will work closely with president of...
Capitalising on an opportunity to reach fans of its genre content in the US and coordinate worldwide releases, XYZ Films has launched a US distribution division and hired former Drafthouse Films and Neon executive James Emanuel Shapiro to run it.
The releasing arm’s first film will be Something In The Dirt, the fifth directorial effort from Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead and currently in post-production.
EVP of US distribution Shapiro will report to XYZ Films CEO Nick Spicer and XYZ Films partner Nate Bolotin. He will work closely with president of...
- 6/21/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
XYZ Films has opened a domestic distribution wing and has hired former Drafthouse Films and Neon COO James Emanuel Shapiro as EVP U.S. Distribution.
The new division will focus on releasing independent genre films from around the world, complimenting the company’s production, sales and financing operations. The debut release will be Something In the Dirt, the latest pic from Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, who are now filming Marvel’s Moon Knight.
Shapiro will report into XYZ Films CEO Nick Spicer and XYZ Films partner Nate Bolotin and will work alongside President of International Sales and Distribution Tatyana Joffe to orchestrate global releases. Shapiro’s credits to date include working on the campaigns for Bullhead, The Act of Killing and I, Tonya.
The distribution division will not release every XYZ title, the company confirmed.
“We specialize in a certain kind of film, and we know that audience inside out.
The new division will focus on releasing independent genre films from around the world, complimenting the company’s production, sales and financing operations. The debut release will be Something In the Dirt, the latest pic from Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, who are now filming Marvel’s Moon Knight.
Shapiro will report into XYZ Films CEO Nick Spicer and XYZ Films partner Nate Bolotin and will work alongside President of International Sales and Distribution Tatyana Joffe to orchestrate global releases. Shapiro’s credits to date include working on the campaigns for Bullhead, The Act of Killing and I, Tonya.
The distribution division will not release every XYZ title, the company confirmed.
“We specialize in a certain kind of film, and we know that audience inside out.
- 6/21/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Indie genre specialist XYZ Films is getting into the distribution game, launching a U.S. operation and bringing on board former Drafthouse Films and Neon executive James Emanuel Shapiro.
The domestic operation — which Shaprio will run as executive vp of U.S. distribution — will launch with Something in the Dirt, the latest feature from directing duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, which is billed as a return to their Dyi indie origins seen in features like Resolution (2012) and Spring (2014). Produced by their longtime producer David Lawson under their Rustic Films production company banner, Something in the Dirt is currently in ...
The domestic operation — which Shaprio will run as executive vp of U.S. distribution — will launch with Something in the Dirt, the latest feature from directing duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, which is billed as a return to their Dyi indie origins seen in features like Resolution (2012) and Spring (2014). Produced by their longtime producer David Lawson under their Rustic Films production company banner, Something in the Dirt is currently in ...
- 6/21/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Indie genre specialist XYZ Films is getting into the distribution game, launching a U.S. operation and bringing on board former Drafthouse Films and Neon executive James Emanuel Shapiro.
The domestic operation — which Shaprio will run as executive vp of U.S. distribution — will launch with Something in the Dirt, the latest feature from directing duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, which is billed as a return to their Dyi indie origins seen in features like Resolution (2012) and Spring (2014). Produced by their longtime producer David Lawson under their Rustic Films production company banner, Something in the Dirt is currently in ...
The domestic operation — which Shaprio will run as executive vp of U.S. distribution — will launch with Something in the Dirt, the latest feature from directing duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, which is billed as a return to their Dyi indie origins seen in features like Resolution (2012) and Spring (2014). Produced by their longtime producer David Lawson under their Rustic Films production company banner, Something in the Dirt is currently in ...
- 6/21/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Giant Pictures has entered a multi-year deal with Drafthouse Films to co-release upcoming theatrical and streaming titles. Giant will also handle sales and distribution for the acclaimed Drafthouse Films catalog.
Curated by the genre-driven Alamo Drafthouse, the Drafthouse Films catalog includes more than 40 titles that will be available to stream on multiple platforms in the US and Canada. All of the titles under the deal will also be available on the Alamo on Demand streaming platform.
“We got to know the team at Giant during the launch of Action USA last year and hit it off,” said Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League. “I can think of no better home for the Drafthouse Films library and look forward to partnering to release both forgotten classics and new discoveries.”
Drafthouse Films will be acquiring new titles for their new partnership with Giant Pictures. The titles will include dedicated releasing support from Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.
Curated by the genre-driven Alamo Drafthouse, the Drafthouse Films catalog includes more than 40 titles that will be available to stream on multiple platforms in the US and Canada. All of the titles under the deal will also be available on the Alamo on Demand streaming platform.
“We got to know the team at Giant during the launch of Action USA last year and hit it off,” said Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League. “I can think of no better home for the Drafthouse Films library and look forward to partnering to release both forgotten classics and new discoveries.”
Drafthouse Films will be acquiring new titles for their new partnership with Giant Pictures. The titles will include dedicated releasing support from Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.
- 2/4/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has named industry veteran Steve Bunnell as Vice President of Film/Content Buying and Licensing, heading a new department for the growing exhibitor. Bunnell will continue to be based in Los Angeles and work closely with the Alamo Drafthouse home office in Austin, Texas.
“Alamo Drafthouse is committed to an aggressive expansion plan in the coming years,” says Bunnell. “And I’m very excited to implement this new department, along with Kayla Pugh and James Emanuel Shapiro, to help enhance and grow the brand while bringing the films we love to the widest possible audience.”
Alamo Drafthouse operates 36 cinema-eateries in 23 markets across ten states. The company has over a dozen new locations announced or under construction, including Los Angeles, Manhattan, Staten Island, Orlando, and St. Louis.
“We’ve been working with Steve in a consulting role for the past several months as we evaluated this initiative,...
“Alamo Drafthouse is committed to an aggressive expansion plan in the coming years,” says Bunnell. “And I’m very excited to implement this new department, along with Kayla Pugh and James Emanuel Shapiro, to help enhance and grow the brand while bringing the films we love to the widest possible audience.”
Alamo Drafthouse operates 36 cinema-eateries in 23 markets across ten states. The company has over a dozen new locations announced or under construction, including Los Angeles, Manhattan, Staten Island, Orlando, and St. Louis.
“We’ve been working with Steve in a consulting role for the past several months as we evaluated this initiative,...
- 2/14/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Drafthouse Films has acquired North American rights from LevelK to the Danish box office hit ahead of Monday’s North American premiere in Toronto.
Anders Thomas Jensen’s Men & Chicken tells of two brothers who discover a horrible truth about themselves when they head to an island mansion to meet their estranged father and eccentric siblings. Mads Mikkelsen and David Dencik star.
“We’ve loved Anders’ work since we first saw Flickering Lights,” says Drafthouse Films COO James Emanuel Shapiro. “And Adam’s Apples is one of the big reasons why Fantastic Fest exists. Its exciting as a fan to work with him on his latest film.”
Fantastic Fest, a division of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas family, will present the Us premiere of Men & Chicken later this month.
Drafthouse plans a limited release for 2016. LevelK has licensed rights to Imagine Film Distribution in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, Vertigo Media in Hungary, Film Europe...
Anders Thomas Jensen’s Men & Chicken tells of two brothers who discover a horrible truth about themselves when they head to an island mansion to meet their estranged father and eccentric siblings. Mads Mikkelsen and David Dencik star.
“We’ve loved Anders’ work since we first saw Flickering Lights,” says Drafthouse Films COO James Emanuel Shapiro. “And Adam’s Apples is one of the big reasons why Fantastic Fest exists. Its exciting as a fan to work with him on his latest film.”
Fantastic Fest, a division of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas family, will present the Us premiere of Men & Chicken later this month.
Drafthouse plans a limited release for 2016. LevelK has licensed rights to Imagine Film Distribution in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, Vertigo Media in Hungary, Film Europe...
- 9/10/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Drafthouse Films has acquired the North American distribution rights to Mads Mikkelsen comedy “Men and Chicken,” the company announced on Thursday following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The Danish film was written and directed by Anders Thomas Jensen (“Flickering Lights”), who is working on Sony’s adaptation of Stephen King‘s “The Dark Tower.” “We’ve loved Anders’ work since we first saw ‘Flickering Lights,'” said Drafthouse Films COO James Emanuel Shapiro. “And ‘Adam’s Apples’ is one of the big reasons why Fantastic Fest exists. Its exciting as a fan to work with him on his latest film.
- 9/10/2015
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Having made a huge impression when it screened at the SXSW Film Festival last month, the worldwide rights to psychological thriller The Invitation have been secured by Drafthouse Films – a move that will enable wider audiences to experience the story. The film is the fourth feature from director Karyn Kusama (Girlfight, Aeon Flux, Jennifer’s Body) and is written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi (Clash Of The Titans).
The Invitation centres on Will, a man who once enjoyed a happy family life with his wife, Eden, and their young son. This happiness ended, however, when tragedy befell their child and Eden subsequently disappeared. When she reappears, suddenly, after a two year absence, Eden brings with her a new husband, a new group of friends, and what seems to be an entirely new sense of self. At Eden’s invitation, Will attends a dinner party at her home, gradually coming...
The Invitation centres on Will, a man who once enjoyed a happy family life with his wife, Eden, and their young son. This happiness ended, however, when tragedy befell their child and Eden subsequently disappeared. When she reappears, suddenly, after a two year absence, Eden brings with her a new husband, a new group of friends, and what seems to be an entirely new sense of self. At Eden’s invitation, Will attends a dinner party at her home, gradually coming...
- 4/7/2015
- by Sarah Myles
- We Got This Covered
People don't always change for the better, and at a dinner party thrown by his ex-wife and her new husband, Will suspects that the former love of his life has changed in a twisted way. An evening get-together could have something sinister on the menu in The Invitation, the new movie from Karyn Kusama (Jennifer's Body) that premiered in the Midnighters section at this year's SXSW Film Festival and has now been picked up by Drafthouse Films for a worldwide release (likely in 2016):
Press Release - "Beating out several other distributors, Drafthouse Films has secured worldwide rights to Karyn Kusama’s acclaimed thriller The Invitation, which opened the Midnight section of the 2015 SXSW Film Festival. The film has been well received by critics and audiences alike, landing on several “Best of SXSW” lists.
For Kusama, who first made her mark with Girlfight, the film represents a return to her independent roots.
Press Release - "Beating out several other distributors, Drafthouse Films has secured worldwide rights to Karyn Kusama’s acclaimed thriller The Invitation, which opened the Midnight section of the 2015 SXSW Film Festival. The film has been well received by critics and audiences alike, landing on several “Best of SXSW” lists.
For Kusama, who first made her mark with Girlfight, the film represents a return to her independent roots.
- 4/6/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Drafthouse Films is understood to have paid low seven figures for the SXSW thriller from Girlfight director Karyn Kusama.
The Invitation stars Logan Marshall-Green as a haunted man who attends a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife and new husband.
Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi wrote and produced with Martha Griffin along with Nick Spicer of Xyz Films. Gamechanger Films financed The Invitation in association with Lege Artis.
ICM Partners and Nate Bolotin of Xyz Films negotiated the deal with James Emanuel Shapiro of Drafthouse Films.
Xyz Films holds international rights.
The Invitation stars Logan Marshall-Green as a haunted man who attends a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife and new husband.
Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi wrote and produced with Martha Griffin along with Nick Spicer of Xyz Films. Gamechanger Films financed The Invitation in association with Lege Artis.
ICM Partners and Nate Bolotin of Xyz Films negotiated the deal with James Emanuel Shapiro of Drafthouse Films.
Xyz Films holds international rights.
- 4/6/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Drafthouse Films beat out several other distributors for the worldwide rights to Karyn Kusama's thriller "The Invitation," which opened the Midnight section of the 2015 SXSW Film Festival. Read Also: SXSW Women Directors: Meet Karyn Kusama - "The Invitation" Logan Marshall Green ("Prometheus") stars as a haunted man attending a dinner party at his former home. Paranoia sets in as the night wears on because the man thinks his ex-wife and her new husband have a treacherous agenda. The film also stars Tammy Blanchard ("Into the Woods"), Michael Huisman ("Game of Thrones"), Emayatzy Corinealdi ("Middle of Nowhere") and John Carroll Lynch ("American Horror Story"). "'The Invitation' has remained under our skin since we first saw it and we're honored that we'll be able to share with audiences everywhere," said Drafthouse COO James Emanuel Shapiro. The film marks Kusama's ("Girlfight")...
- 4/6/2015
- by Helen Z. Carefoot
- Indiewire
Magnolia Pictures has taken all North American rights to Rick Alverson’s Entertainment, while in a separate deal Drafthose Films will distribute The World Of Kanako in North America.
Entertainment (pictured) stars Gregg Turkington, John C Reilly, Tye Sheridan, Michael Cera and Amy Seimetz and just screened as the closing night selection of New Directors/New Films.
Turkington plays an aging comedian on tour in the California desert who tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter.
Alverson, Turkington and Tim Heidecker co-wrote the screenplay and Ryan Zacarias produced with Ryan Lough, George Rush, Brooke Bernard, Alverson, Patrick Hibler and Alex Lipschultz.
The film premiered in Sundance and is a Jagjaguwar, Nomadic Independence and Made Bed Production in association with Arts + Labor, Autumn Productions, Epic Pictures Group and Complex Corporation.
Magnolia svp of acquisitions Dori Begley and vp of acquisitions John Von Thaden brokered the deal with Cinetic Media.
Drafthouse Films has acquired North American rights to [link...
Entertainment (pictured) stars Gregg Turkington, John C Reilly, Tye Sheridan, Michael Cera and Amy Seimetz and just screened as the closing night selection of New Directors/New Films.
Turkington plays an aging comedian on tour in the California desert who tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter.
Alverson, Turkington and Tim Heidecker co-wrote the screenplay and Ryan Zacarias produced with Ryan Lough, George Rush, Brooke Bernard, Alverson, Patrick Hibler and Alex Lipschultz.
The film premiered in Sundance and is a Jagjaguwar, Nomadic Independence and Made Bed Production in association with Arts + Labor, Autumn Productions, Epic Pictures Group and Complex Corporation.
Magnolia svp of acquisitions Dori Begley and vp of acquisitions John Von Thaden brokered the deal with Cinetic Media.
Drafthouse Films has acquired North American rights to [link...
- 4/2/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Read More: Watch: Nothing Can Stop Jean Dujardin in 'The Connection' Trailer Described as an "ultra-violent thriller," "The World Of Kanako" is headed to North America. Drafthouse Films has acquired the distribution rights to the film, fully expecting a controversy. Said Drafthouse COO James Emanuel Shapiro, "This movie is an all out depraved and constant assault on your morality and your senses and I loved every second of it." "Kanako" is based on a 2005 novel by Akio Fukamachi that was considered unfilmable due to its bloody narrative. The story centers on a former detective as he follows his missing daughter down a trail of sex, drugs and rock and roll violence. Director Tetsuya Nakashima previously helmed "Kamikaze Girls" and "Confessions." The film will screen in select theaters across North America and will be released on a variety of VOD platforms and digital, DVD and Blu-ray formats. Read...
- 4/2/2015
- by Elizabeth Logan
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead’s Italy-set horror romance Spring has been acquired by Drafthouse Films and FilmBuff in the first sale out of this year’s Fantastic Fest. The sophomore feature from Resolution co-directors Benson and Moorhead stars Lou Taylor Pucci (Thumbsucker, Evil Dead) as a troubled American backpacker in Italy whose romance with a local girl (Nadia Hilker) turns into an unexpected nightmare when her dark, primordial secret threatens to destroy their newfound happiness.
Spring premiered earlier this month at the Toronto Film Festival before making its U.S. debut Saturday night in Austin. Reviews have been strong to the genre-blender described as Before Sunset meets H.P. Lovecraft. Drafthouse Films, the specialty distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse, closed the deal for U.S. rights after watching Spring play through the roof on home turf and with FilmBuff will release it in theaters and on VOD in...
Spring premiered earlier this month at the Toronto Film Festival before making its U.S. debut Saturday night in Austin. Reviews have been strong to the genre-blender described as Before Sunset meets H.P. Lovecraft. Drafthouse Films, the specialty distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse, closed the deal for U.S. rights after watching Spring play through the roof on home turf and with FilmBuff will release it in theaters and on VOD in...
- 9/22/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
More than a dozen new specialty films crowded the box office this weekend, including films from Terry Gilliam, Kevin Smith and singer Nick Cave. Perhaps not surprisingly, overwhelmed audiences hit a saturation point, leaving several new titles with, at best, only decent debut numbers. Despite the competition, Roadside/Lionsgate’s The Skeleton Twins held strong in its second weekend with a sizable expansion, and Snowpiercer continued to release strong VOD grosses alongside its waning theatrical returns. On a straight per-theater average, it was Cave’s 20,000 Days on Earth that easily came out on top. Drafthouse Films is distributing the Sundance 2014 documentary, which centers on writer and musician Cave as he reaches that 20,000th day in his life. The film had one of the year’s biggest non-fiction debuts, with a $26,873 gross at New York’s Film Forum. Numbers for 20,000 Days were buoyed by a offsite special event at Town Hall that included a Q&A,...
- 9/21/2014
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline
As the Toronto International Film Festival gets underway with North American and World debuts of films that will hit Awards Season and beyond,a good number of seasoned films that have traveled the festival circuit are finally making their way into the Specialty Box Office. Drafthouse Films will open Cannes ’13 title The Congress starring Robin Wright and Harvey Keitel in a dozen locations this weekend, while SXSW’s Juliette Lewis starrer Kelly & Cal will open exclusively in NYC. Sundance’s Last Days In Vietnam will have a theatrical run before heading to PBS next fall and the Guadalajara Film Festival’s Frontera is taking advantage of a timely topic in the U.S. Venice financed its 2013 premiere Memphis, opening exclusively this weekend in NYC. And China Lion hopes to take a successful template for romantic dramas and apply that to But Always.
The Congress
Director-writer: Ari Folman
Writer: Stanislaw Lem (novel)
Cast: Robin Wright,...
The Congress
Director-writer: Ari Folman
Writer: Stanislaw Lem (novel)
Cast: Robin Wright,...
- 9/5/2014
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline
Drafthouse Films has sprung for Amira & Sam, an indie dramedy romance starring Martin Starr (Silicon Valley, Freaks and Geeks) and newcomer Dina Shihabi as an Army vet and an illegal Iraqi immigrant whose love is put to the test when she’s faced with deportation. Writer-director Sean Mullin helmed the pic, which is executive produced by The Spectacular Now‘s James Ponsoldt and also stars The Vampire Diaries’ Paul Wesley, Laith Nakli, and David Rasche. Drafthouse has slated a cross-platform limited theatrical, VOD, digital, and home video release for early 2015.
The Austin-based distributor snapped up Amira & Sam following its premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival earlier this year. It’s scheduled to screen at the Drafthouse’s upcoming femme-centric Forever Fest this Fall. The Five By Eight Productions picture is produced by Terry Leonard from Strongman and Erich Lochner and Matt Miller from Vanishing Angle. Meg Montagnino-Jarrett and Peter...
The Austin-based distributor snapped up Amira & Sam following its premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival earlier this year. It’s scheduled to screen at the Drafthouse’s upcoming femme-centric Forever Fest this Fall. The Five By Eight Productions picture is produced by Terry Leonard from Strongman and Erich Lochner and Matt Miller from Vanishing Angle. Meg Montagnino-Jarrett and Peter...
- 8/28/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
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