IFC Midnight Acquires Iranian Psychological Thriller ‘The Night’

Erik Pedersen Managing EditorEpix has greenlighted Fiasco, a docuseries from Leon Neyfakh based on his podcast about America’s most pivotal historical events.

UTA has signed filmmaker andcontemporary artist Shirin Neshat. The Iran-born Neshat began her fine arts career in the '90s with her series of photographs titled "Women of Allah." She has since gone on to exhibit work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, LACMA, Tate Modern, the British Museum and the Guggenheim Museum.

Grindstone Entertainment has picked up the North American rights to The Gardener, which stars Gary Daniels and Robert Bronzi. The action thriller, written by Ben Demaree and based on a story by Jeff Miller (The Toy Box), stars Bronzi (Death Kiss) as an immigrant living a quiet life as a gardener at an English manor house and resorting to old skills to save the family he works for from violent home invaders led by a ruthless crime boss, played by Daniels.

Dade Hayes Finance EditorEXCLUSIVE: Virgil Films & Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Nasrin, a documentary about activist Nasrin Sotoudeh narrated by Oscar winner Olivia Colman.Sotoudeh is a human rights activists and an outspoken leader of Iran’s women’s rights movement. Last week, she cited serious health concerns in ending a six-week hunger strike in Evin Prison, where she has been serving a nearly four-decade sentence.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaIFC Films has nabbed Chad Hartigan’s “Little Fish,” a love story set in a post-pandemic world that will have an eerie resonance when viewed in light of the coronavirus crisis.The deal is for North American rights and IFC, which has remained active during COVID-19, releasing films such as “The Nest” and “The Trip to Greece,” will debut the picture on Feb. 5, 2021.

Patrick Hipes Executive Managing EditorEXCLUSIVE: IFC Films’ genre label IFC Midnight has acquired North American rights to Hunter Hunter, the thriller written and directed by Shawn Linden that stars Devon Sawa and Nick Stahl. IFC, which saw success during the lockdown with Dave Franco’s The Rental, Relic and The Wretched, will release it December 18 in theaters and on demand.The film centers on a family living in the remote wilderness as fur trappers.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentMemento International has unveiled the trailer for “Persian Lessons,” the anticipated WWII drama directed by Vadim Perelman (“House of Sand and Fog”), ahead of its theatrical roll-out in Germany later this month.Alamode Films Distribution will release the film in Germany on Sept. 24 in Germany and will present it on the opening night of the Jewish Film Festival.

Vertical Entertainment and Redbox Entertainment have acquired the North American rights to Chloe Grace Moretz’s “Shadow in the Cloud.”The two distributors plan to release the WW2 action thriller, directed by Roseanne Liang, next summer.More to come…

Mike Fleming Jr Co-Editor-in-Chief, FilmEXCLUSIVE: Vertical Entertainment and Redbox Entertainment have just closed a deal to acquire the North American distribution rights to Shadow In The Cloud, the raucous Midnight Madness Toronto Film Festival title which might hold the distinction of being the first drive-in theater movie acquisition ever.

Also Read: Paul Telegdy Out as NBC Entertainment Chairman Amid Shakeup of NBCU TV and Streaming Operations“After nearly 20 years at this tremendous company, this has not been an easy decision. Yet I believe wholeheartedly that NBCUniversal is taking the right steps by creating a new organization built for the future,” McCumber said in announcing his departure.

IFC Films has picked up the North American rights to director Dana Nachman's documentary Dear Santa, about the U.S. Postal Service's 100-year-old ‘Operation Santa’ program to answer letters from kids to Santa Claus.

Mike Fleming Jr Co-Editor-in-Chief, FilmIFC Films announced today that it is acquiring North American rights to MLK/FBI, directed by Emmy® Award-winner and Oscar® nominee Sam Pollard. MLK/FBI was part of the Official Selection for the 2020 edition of the Telluride Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and New York Film Festival.

Dino-Ray Ramos Associate Editor/ReporterLionsgate’s Grindstone Entertainment Group has acquired the North American rights to the Brian A. Metcalf-directed Adverse which will debut in theaters January 23, 2021, followed by a release on media platforms through Lionsgate Home EntertainmentAdverse stars Thomas Nicolas as a rideshare driver who discovers his younger sister (Kelly Arjen) has become entangled with an underworld boss (Mickey Rourke) in drugs and debt.

Dino-Ray Ramos Associate Editor/ReporterIFC Films is getting into the holiday spirit a little early as it has acquired the North American rights to documentary Dear Santa directed by Dana Nachman (Pick of the Litter, Batkid Begins). The family-friendly Christmas feature docu takes a look at Operation Santa, a 100-year-old program of the United States Postal Service which connects children with Kris Kringle himself.

Also Read: Apple TV+ Sets Christmas Special With Mariah Carey“Dear Santa” specifically follows the process surrounding the delivery of one letter that asks for something other than a toy, and the film examines the value of this American tradition and asks audiences to think about how they can make the world a better place.IFC Films“We’re delighted to partner with Dana once again, this time on ‘Dear Santa,’ which puts a spotlight on the incredible individuals behind projects like ‘Operation

Jamie Lang In today’s Global Bulletin, the European Film Academy and Berlin Film Festival call for Nasrin Sotoudeh’s immediate release from prison, Banijay appoints Dominique Farrugia as managing director for Endemol Shine in France, Amazon Prime Video announces a slate of sports docs in Spain, and the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers preps for December’s digital edition.The European Film Academy and Berlin International Film Festival have released a joint call for the immediate