The Inbox (Jan. 25-31, 2014)

Every week, I get several press releases, screening invitations and other notifications from a handful of studio contacts. While I won’t be sharing any information regarding my screening invites, some of the press releases might be of interest to my readers, so I thought I’d start sharing them in toto with all of you. These could include new image galleries for various films or important updates to upcoming releases from various smaller studios and art house production companies.

Press Release: Content Obtains Worldwide Rights to “The Trust”

CONTENT STEALS WORLDWIDE RIGHTS FOR DAN BUSH’S SUPERNATURAL HEIST THRILLER ‘THE TRUST’

Pre-Sales To Start at the Berlin International Film Festival

Los Angeles, January 27, 2014 – Content will be selling worldwide rights to Dan Bush’s THE TRUST at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival. Co-written by Bush (THE SIGNAL) and Conal Byrne (THE PROXY), the film is produced by Culmination Productions’ Tom Butterfield and Redwire Pictures’ Luke Daniels. Content’s Jamie Carmichael serves as Executive Producer.

THE TRUST is an action-packed supernatural heist thriller, that tells the story of the Dillon Brothers: Adam, ex-military, has just picked up his career criminal brother Isaac from prison, when they learn that their troubled older brother Michael has burned down a warehouse owned by a notorious gangster. The brothers find themselves on the hook for an outrageous sum of money and have only two weeks to get it, or Michael will die. So with nowhere to turn, they decide to rob the town’s biggest bank. Then all hell breaks lose…

Content’s Jamie Carmichael said, “I love heist movies, and this one takes the genre to a whole new level.”

Producer Butterfield said: “We are thrilled to be working with Content. Together we are hoping to take this genre, turn it on its head and give the audience a shock along the way.”

Pre-production is set to begin in April 2014.

Dan Bush is repped by Will Lowery at APA and Josh Kessleman at ThruLine Entertainment.

About Content
Content Film is the worldwide film and library sales arm of Content Media Corporation Ltd., which specializes in high quality and commercial feature films. In addition to handling worldwide sales, marketing, and publicity — the company assists film producers in securing finance. The Feature Film Library arm also manages international sales on over 255 titles. Content Film is being managed in an executive capacity by Jamie Carmichael, President – Film Division.

The Content slate also includes: JIMI: ALL IS BY MY SIDE directed by John Ridley and starring Andre Benjamin which premiered in Toronto; the family adventure PUDSEY: THE MOVIE, the supernatural horror DARK SUMMER directed by Paul Solet, the medieval actioner IRONCLAD 2: BATTLE FOR BLOOD; and the intense horror THE DIABOLICAL starring Ali Larter.

About Culmination Productions
Culmination Productions is a production and financing company based in London and Los Angeles, that works with a European financing model to bring together globally recognized talent for projects with domestic and international appeal.

About Redwire Pictures
Redwire Pictures is an innovative film production team based in Los Angeles. Redwire has completed and attained worldwide distribution for 2 feature films, has recently completed a 3rd and 4th feature film, is currently developing multiple projects in both film and TV, and is in pre-production on the motion picture, Bonded.

Press Release: Phase 4 Acquires ESI Distribution and Allies with The Criterion Collection

Phase 4 Films Acquires ESI Distribution and Inks Strategic Alliance with The Criterion Collection

Deals add hundreds of high profile films to ever expanding North American portfolio

(TORONTO, ON) – January 27, 2014 – Phase 4 Films, a leading full service independent studio, today announced that it has acquired ESI Distribution, one of the leading home entertainment distributors in the U.S. market, and has signed a distribution agreement with The Criterion Collection, consisting of some of the greatest films from around the world published in the highest technical quality.

This announcement comes soon after Phase 4’s December 2013 notice of a signed distribution agreement with Shout! Factory, LLC. Combined, these agreements strengthen Phase 4’s position as a leading North American content distributor, adding thousands of titles to a consistently expanding library.

“Criterion and Shout! enhance our ability to offer consumers a broad selection of high quality content, while ESI brings a perfect blend of content and vendor relationships, particularly with Costco in the U.S.” said Berry Meyerowitz, President & CEO of Phase 4 Films. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with these new partners to further exploit our brands through an expanded and direct distribution network across all media in both Canada and the United States.”

“We needed a partner that could maximize our opportunities in Canada while simultaneously servicing some of our key U.S. accounts,” remarked Jonathan Turell, CEO of The Criterion Collection. “Our alliance with Phase 4 is an important next step that brings The Criterion Collection’s library of classic and contemporary films into even more households in North America.”

“Phase 4 lives the credo of being a true service oriented company. They are the perfect transition partner to continue the legacy of providing great service to all 3rd party suppliers,” stated ESI co-owners Kirk Andreasen and Brien Culver. “The synergy in our business model with Phase 4 was a natural catalyst to join forces.”

Phase 4 Films is also releasing The Criterion Collection’s The Great Beauty on VOD February 25th. The film recently won a Golden Globe Award® for Best Foreign Language Film and is nominated for an Academy Award® in the same category.

About Phase 4 Films
Phase 4 Films (www.phase4films.com) is one of the leading full service independent studios. With offices in nine cities in the U.S. and Canada, Phase 4 provides a full range of services relating to the sales, marketing, licensing and distribution of feature films, television and special interest content across all media in the North American market. Phase 4 is unique in the independent space as it maintains direct distribution relationships with major and secondary accounts across all content channels. Its recent releases include The Baytown Outlaws, starring Eva Longoria and Billy Bob Thornton, Shana Betz’ Free Ride starring Anna Paquin, and Lucy Walker’s critically-acclaimed The Crash Reel. Upcoming releases include Goodbye World, starring Adrian Grenier, and the Jay-Z documentary Made in America, directed by Ron Howard. Its dedicated kids & family label, kaboom! Entertainment, is one of the most recognizable brands in the market.

About The Criterion Collection
Since 1984, the Criterion Collection, a continuing series of important classic and contemporary films headquartered in New York City, has been dedicated to gathering the greatest films from around the world and publishing them in editions that offer the highest technical quality and award-winning, original supplements. The foundation of the collection is the work of such masters of cinema as Renoir, Godard, Kurosawa, Cocteau, Fellini, Bergman, Tarkovsky, Hitchcock, Fuller, Lean, Kubrick, Lang, Sturgess, Dreyer, Eisenstein, Ozu, Sirk, Buñuel, Powell and Pressburger. Criterion is noted for setting the standard for film supplements that enable viewers to appreciate Criterion films in context, through audio commentaries by filmmakers and scholars, restored director’s cuts, deleted scenes, documentaries, shooting scripts, early shorts, and storyboards. To date, more than 150 filmmakers have contributed to Criterion’s library of Director Approved DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and laserdiscs, making it the most significant archive of contemporary filmmaking available to the home viewer.

About ESI Distribution Ltd.
Started by Kirk Andreasen and Brien Culver in 1989, ESI Distribution Ltd. has brought a wide variety of DVD content and consumer electronics to a strong marketplace developed through time and trusting relationships. Brien, who resides in Texas, manages the corporate office and product distribution located centrally in a historic facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Kirk, a Washington state native, conducts the sales of the company from an office on picturesque Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, Washington. ESI has a strong 25 year history of selling consumer goods to the membership warehouse clubs, including CD’s, VHS, DVD’s, books, computer software, musical instruments and fitness equipment.

About Shout! Factory, LLC
Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD and Blu-Ray™ offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials in lavish packages crammed with extras. Shout’s audio division boasts GRAMMY®-nominated box sets, Broadway cast albums, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast digital distribution network which delivers video and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America. Shout! Factory also owns and operates Timeless Media Group, Biograph Records, Majordomo Records, HighTone Records and Video Time Machine. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California.

Press Release: Content Reunites with “The Machine” Team on “Don’t Knock Twice”

CONTENT TO RE-UNITE WITH ‘THE MACHINE’ TEAM ON THE SUPERNATURAL HORROR “DON’T KNOCK TWICE”

Sales to Launch at the European Film Market in Berlin

Los Angeles, January 29, 2014 – Content announced today that it will be re-uniting with Caradog James and John Giwa-Amu of Red & Black Films on their latest title DON’T KNOCK TWICE, with worldwide pre-sales to begin at the European Film Market in Berlin. Caradog James (THE MACHINE, LITTLE WHITE LIES) will direct from a script by Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler. DON’T KNOCK TWICE will be produced by John Giwa-Amu and Seymour Films’ Claire Moorsom. Content’s Jamie Carmichael will serve as Executive Producer.

Content first partnered with Red & Black Films on Caradog James’ sci-fi action thriller THE MACHINE which had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film festival last year.

Content’s Jamie Carmichael said: “We’re really happy to be working with Crad and John again, and delighted that Claire is on board. DON’T KNOCK TWICE has all the high concept scares we love.”

Production team said: “Following the success of The Machine we’re very excited to be partnering with Content again on this chilling supernatural thriller”

In the vein of “Candyman” and “The Ring,” DON’T KNOCK TWICE is a psychologically terrifying, twisted urban legend which is set to begin pre-production spring of 2014.

Caradog James is repped in the US by Lawrence Mattis and Ashley Berns at Circle of Confusion and JAB Management in the UK.

Content recently announced it will be selling worldwide rights to Dan Bush’s supernatural heist thriller THE TRUST at EFM.

About Content
Content Film is the worldwide film and library sales arm of Content Media Corporation Ltd., which specializes in high quality and commercial feature films. In addition to handling worldwide sales, marketing and publicity — the company assists film producers in securing finance. The Feature Film Library arm also manages international sales on over 255 titles. Content Film is being managed in an executive capacity by Jamie Carmichael, President – Film Division.

About Red & Black Films
Red and Black Films is a production and distribution company run by award winning filmmakers Caradog James and John Giwa-Amu, with films that have been nominated in festivals around the world including Moscow International Film Festival and the British Independent Film Awards. Their feature film Little White Lies received two BAFTA Cymru awards, won Best Film at Cartagena and the Nantes Film Festival. It was also listed in Variety’s top 10 British Films of that year.

‘The Machine’ won The Raindance Award at The British Independent Film Awards. Additional Award wins include Best Sci-Fi and Best Actress at Toronto After Dark, three British Academy Awards Cymru including Best Film and Best UK Feature at Raindance Film Festival. It’s released in Cinemas across the UK March 21.

About Seymour Films
Seymour Films is a UK production company set up by producer Claire Moorsom. Claire has been active in the film and television industries for over fifteen years in development, and has worked on projects for a range of award-winning companies, including Sigma Films, Warp X, Kudos Film and Television, Capitol Films, and UK film agencies the BFI and Creative England

Press Release: Atlas Independent to Produce “Sanctuary”

ATLAS INDEPENDENT TO PRODUCE “SANCTUARY” FROM DIRECTOR GONZALO LOPEZ-GALLEGO

Highland Film Group to Handle International Sales Beginning at EFM

LOS ANGELES, CA, JANUARY 29, 2014 – Atlas Independent, the affiliate company of Charles Roven’s Atlas Entertainment, announced today that they will produce SANCTUARY, which will be directed by Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego (APOLLO 18, OPEN GRAVE), from a script written by Ryne Douglas Pearson (KNOWING). William Green and Aaron Ginsburg will produce for Atlas Independent. Atlas Entertainment’s Richard Suckle, Unbroken Pictures’ Bryan Bertino (THE STRANGERS) and Adrienne Biddle will executive produce. Highland Film Group (HFG) will handle worldwide sales and will introduce the film to international buyers at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin.

SANCTUARY follows three documentarians who travel to South America to investigate a town which mysteriously disappeared from the map. The trio are led to the ultimate enigma after a series of misfortunate occurrences: an immense concrete structure located in the middle of the missing town, with no entrances or exits

“We intend to make a commercial horror film with one of the leading directors of the genre at the helm,” said Atlas Independent’s William Green and Aaron Ginsburg. This will be the third collaboration between Atlas Independent and Gonzalo following OPEN GRAVE and THE MAN ON CARRION ROAD, which will begin production in April.

Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego is represented by WME, Atlas Entertainment, and attorney Carlos Goodman.

ABOUT ATLAS INDEPENDENT
Atlas Independent is comprised of a hands-on team of film-makers working under the umbrella of Charles Roven’s Atlas Entertainment. Led by William Green, Atlas Independent produces indie-minded movies with budgets of $10 million or less, betting on the potential high profit margins of smaller films. The company has creative control on its projects and looks for independent financing, finding distribution after production. Atlas Independent’s first film, REVENGE FOR JOLLY!, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April of 2012 and shortly after was acquired by Sony Pictures World Wide Acquisitions. The film was released in May of 2013. Atlas Independent is currently in post-production on William Monahan’s MOJAVE which stars Garrett Hedlund, Oscar Isaac, Louise Bourgoin, and Walton Goggins. Additionally, Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego’s OPEN GRAVE which starred Sharlto Copley and Thomas Kretschmann was released this past December.

ABOUT HIGHLAND FILM GROUP
Highland Film Group is an independent film sales company which was founded in 2010 by Arianne Fraser, who recently partnered with Delphine Perrier. The film slate includes: the box office phenomena INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED released by Pantelion and Lionsgate starring Eugenio Derbez, Jessica Lindsey and Karla Souza; the Brett Ratner produced teen action comedy BARELY LETHAL, starring Hailee Steinfeld, Samuel L. Jackson and Jessica Alba: and YOUR RIGHT MIND starring Katherine Heigl.

Press Release: Memento Films International Picks Up Foreign Rights to “The Free World”

MEMENTO FILMS INTERNATIONAL PICKS-UP FOREIGN RIGHTS TO SCRIBE JASON LEW’S DIRECTORIAL DEBUT ‘THE FREE WORLD’

Thriller to Star Cillian Murphy and Bryce Dallas Howard

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 29, 2014)—Memento Films International has picked-up international rights to scribe Jason Lew’s directorial debut THE FREE WORLD. BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee Cillian Murphy (INCEPTION; upcoming TRANSCENDENCE; as well as Ron Howard’s HEART OF THE SEA), joins Golden Globe nominee Bryce Dallas Howard (THE HELP, and soon to be seen in JURASSIC WORLD) to top line the film. Lew previously wrote Gus Van Sant’s RESTLESS which opened the 2011 Festival de Cannes’ Un Certain Regard.

Untitled Entertainment’s Laura Rister will produce the project. She has produced and executive produced a number of notable independent films, including ALL IS LOST starring Robert Redford and which is currently in release; LOVELACE, THE ICEMAN, MARGIN CALL and LAWLESS. Rister is currently in post-production on director Matt Shakman’s feature debut CUT BANK starring John Malkovich, Liam Hemsworth, and Bruce Dern.

Emilie Georges and Nicholas Shumaker will executive produce for MFI.

THE FREE WORLD is the story of Mohamed “Mo” Lundy (Murphy), a man attempting to adjust to civilian life after a brutal 20-year stretch in prison for crimes he did not commit. His world collides with Doris Lamb (Howard), a tragic and mysterious woman with a violent past, for whom he will come to risk everything, including his new found freedom.

The film is scheduled to commence principal photography in the fall.

“We’re excited for Jason to join MFI’s well curated line-up,” said Georges and Shumaker. “He is an incredible storyteller and we look forward to bringing this unique project to global audiences.”

“The script caught us completely off guard. It is a bold, original, and deeply heartfelt look into readjusting in society. Laura’s eye at finding new talent is amazing and we’re sure that Jason’s film will be a great addition to our slate of ambitious titles from talented American directors,” added Tanja Meissner, Head of International Sales and Acquisitions.

Georges and Shumaker negotiated the deal for MFI, with Rister and WME Global representing the film. Murphy is repped by CAA, Lou Coulson Associates and The Lisa Richards Agency. Howard is repped by Management 360 and ICM.
WME Global will sell US rights.

Press Release: Documentary “Pretty Old” Acquired by GoDigital

SARAH JESSICA PARKER EXECUTIVE PRODUCED PAGEANT DOC PRETTY OLD ACQUIRED BY GODIGITAL FOR VOD & EXCLUSIVE THEATRICAL RELEASE

Distributor to Release on Multiple Platforms March 18th

Los Angeles, CA (January 29, 2013) – PRETTY OLD, Walter Matteson-s crowd-pleasing senior citizen pageant documentary executive produced by Sarah Jessica Parker, has been acquired by GoDigital for domestic release. Produced by Group Effort Films, Boss Films Productions and Parker-s own Pretty Matches Productions, PRETTY OLD will see a simultaneous New York theatrical and nationwide VOD release via GoDigital this March. A theatrical on-demand release courtesy of Gathr Films is also slated for spring.

PRETTY OLD showcases the enthusiastic -65 and older- contestants of Massachusetts- annual Ms. Senior Sweetheart Pageant as they prepare for, travel to and compete in the coveted event. Hilarious and heartbreaking in turns, the film and prized subjects inspire newfound passions and challenge societal stereotypes to ultimately reveal what it truly means to age beautifully.

Josh Alexander, Daniel Chalfen and Walter Matteson produced the film, which last year received the Jury Award for -Best Documentary- at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Alison Benson and Joe Berlinger also executive produced alongside Sarah Jessica Parker.

“These incredibly dynamic women embrace growing older with a youthful spirit, and while also full of insightful wisdom, they give us a heartfelt look at what it truly means to age beautifully,” explained Parker.

-With PRETTY OLD, we are trying to show people that being and growing -old- can be absolutely beautiful,- said Matteson. -We-re thrilled that GoDigital is helping us introduce the film and its message to the broad audience it deserves.-

Executive Producers and other cast and crew may be available upon request.

About Pretty Matches Productions
Pretty Matches Productions is a production company founded by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress and producer Sarah Jessica Parker with a first look deal at HBO. Pretty Matches produces scripted and unscripted television as well as narrative and documentary feature films, including Bravo-s Work of Art: The Next Great Artist which sold into multiple territories internationally, and the award-winning documentary Pretty Old. Pretty Matches is led by Parker and Executive Producer Alison Benson.

About Group Effort Films
Group Effort Films is a production company founded by writer and producer Josh Alexander. Their first feature film BACKSEAT premiered at the Austin Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award and subsequently played at festivals across the US and abroad. The film was released by Truly Indie (a Wagner/Cuban company) and Film Buff in 2008. Group Effort Film-s second feature, the documentary PRETTY OLD, won the Jury Award for Best Documentary at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and played to rave reviews and sold-out screenings at Nantucket Film Festival, Woodstock Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival and numerous others. Group Effort Films is currently in post-production on the documentary SOUTHERN RITES, which is acclaimed photographer Gillian Laub-s directorial debut and is being executive produced by John Legend, Troy Carter and Mike Jackson.

About Boss Films
Boss Films Productions is an international production company founded by producer and director Walter Matteson. Their first feature FIGURES AND LOOPS was a documentary exploring the obscure world of competitive artistic roller-skating. PRETTY OLD is Boss Films’ second feature documentary. The film won the Jury Award for Best Documentary at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and played to rave reviews and sold-out screenings at Nantucket Film Festival, Woodstock Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival and numerous others.

About GoDigital
GoDigital is a Los Angeles-based independent film distributor specializing in digital and Video On Demand releases. Since its 2008 inception, GoDigital has enacted one of the industry-s premier distribution networks based on a foundation of customized and contemporary release strategies and innovative marketing and merchandising methods. GoDigital maintains direct relationships with today’s top services like iTunes, Netflix, Amazon, and iNDemand. In early 2013, GoDigital announced the launch of Amplify, an exclusionary all-rights distribution branch formed through a merger with NY-based theatrical distributor, Variance Films

Press Release: Content Announces Steve McQueen Documentary “The Man & Le Mans”

CONTENT ANNOUNCES STEVE MCQUEEN DOCUMENTARY “THE MAN & LE MANS”

Sales on the Doc about the Legendary Actor to begin at the European Film Market

Los Angeles, January 30, 2014 – Content will be handling worldwide rights to the Gabriel Clarke and Jon McKenna produced documentary THE MAN & LE MANS at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin. THE MAN & LE MANS will be executive produced by Motorsport consultant and former PR executive Andrew Marriott, noted archive producer Richard Wiseman, and Content’s Jamie Carmichael.

By 1970, Steve McQueen ruled Hollywood. Hot off the back of classics ‘The Magnificent Seven’, ‘The Great Escape’, ‘The Cincinnati Kid’ and ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’, McQueen made an indelible mark as the maverick cop in ‘Bullitt’ – the movie that made car chases a staple of the movie industry. He was at the top of his game, commanding respect and wielding power; securing a six-picture deal with Cinema Center Studios which allowed McQueen to work for himself, choose his own material and reap the benefits. And at last he could make the film that had been his passion for the best part of a decade. McQueen was a racing fanatic, and his film would center around the greatest test of driving skill in the world – a 24-hour race in France called LE MANS.

And so began a life-changing 6 months for McQueen, both on set and off it. In the middle of filming the most dangerous car race movie of all time, legendary director John Sturges quit, McQueen’s marriage fell apart and his company was on the brink of bankruptcy; and all the while he was in constant fear for his life after learning that he was on the top of Charles Manson’s ‘death list’.

The documentary film interweaves original insight and revelation with a remarkable sound archive – as well as hours of never-before-seen film that has remained, until now, untouched in a Parisian basement. THE MAN & LE MANS takes the viewer inside the mind of this driven, complex movie idol as he fought to save his film – set to the soundtrack of his own voice. Ultimately, McQueen was vindicated. Today Le Mans is regarded as the ‘purest’ motor racing film every made.

Content’s Jamie Carmichael said: “Senna meets Bullitt in THE MAN & LE MANS; its going to be an extraordinary, moving, white-knuckle drive with one of the greatest movie stars of all time, through the prism of the film that almost destroyed him.”

Executive Producer Andrew Marriott, whose idea the film is based on, has covered Le Mans on more than 40 occasions. In addition, archive producer Richard Wiseman has worked on two most recent notable Formula 1 films – Ron Howard’s RUSH and REVOLUT1ON, the first-ever history-of-Formula 1 film.

Co-directors Clarke, who is writing, and McKenna, who is also set to produce, have had their documentary THE FIGHT OF THEIR LIVES nominated by the British Academy (BAFTA) in the single documentary award category in 2012. Clarke and McKenna’s other notable documentaries include the Grierson nominated CLOUGH, and the critically acclaimed motor sport meets modern media documentary WHEN PLAYBOYS RULED THE WORLD. Both are multi-award winners in UK television.

The McQueen documentary is set to begin pre-production in the Spring and will then be filming in Europe at Le Mans’ 24-hour race track, concluding at the end of the summer in the US.

In addition to THE MAN & LE MANS, Content will also be selling Dan Bush’s supernatural heist thriller THE TRUST and Caradog James’ psychologically terrifying DON’T KNOCK TWICE at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin.

“If we’re going to do this, we are going to do it right. No typical Hollywood bullshit – no clever twists, no perfect ending. It has to be pure. And if we’re going to do it about one race, it has to be Le Mans” – Steve McQueen

Press Release: Nikki Reed Joins “Email”

TWILIGHT’S NIKKI REED BOARDS DIRECTOR KELVIN TONG’S SUSPENSEFUL THRILLER “EMAIL”

Highland Film Group to Handle Worldwide Sales Beginning at EFM in Berlin with Production Set to Begin in Singapore in May

LOS ANGELES, CA, JANUARY 30, 2014 – Nikki Reed (Twilight) will star in director Kelvin Tong’s (Rule #1), suspenseful new horror film, EMAIL, which is being produced by SPJ Enterprises, zgreen entertainment and Boku Films. Peter Poon and Zachary Green are producing along with Leon Tong and Kat Goh in Singapore. Jason Shuman, who produced such horror hits as The Messengers and Darkness Fall will be executive producing with Lauren Selig. Principal photography is set to begin May 2014 in Singapore and Highland Film Group (HFG) will handle worldwide sales and introduce the title to buyers at EFM in Berlin.

In the vein of The Ring and The Grudge, young journalist Thea Hartley travels to Singapore to investigate the mysterious circumstances of her sister’s death and discovers a string of bizarre killings involving a cursed email. Along the way she meets Ted, an ex-pat technology reporter, and together they face the supernatural forces and unravel a mysterious conspiracy far bigger than they expected.

Represented by Paradigm, Thruline Entertainment and attorney Lev Ginsburg, Reed is known from such movies as the Twilight saga and the critically acclaimed Thirteen. Reed recently finished filming Scout with Ellen Burstyn and Jane Seymour, as well as Murder of a Cat with Greg Kinnear, Blythe Danner and JK Simmons. She is currently working on her second album with husband Paul McDonald. They released their first EP last year entitled “The Best Part.”

The HFG slate also includes The Wright Girls which Kevin Connolly will direct and Sancutary from director Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego, both from Atlas Independent, the affiliate company of Charles Roven’s Atlas Entertainment.

ABOUT HIGHLAND FILM GROUP
Highland Film Group is an independent film sales company which was founded in 2010 by Arianne Fraser, who recently partnered with Delphine Perrier. The film slate includes: the box office phenomena Instructions Not Included released by Pantelion and Lionsgate starring Eugenio Derbez, Jessica Lindsey and Karla Souza; the Brett Ratner produced teen action comedy Barely Lethal, starring Hailee Steinfeld, Samuel L. Jackson and Jessica Alba: and Your Right Mind starring Katherine Heigl.

Press Release: Three Telemundo Programs Nominated for GLAAD Media Awards

TELEMUNDO MEDIA’S ‘CASO CERRADO,’ ‘AL ROJO VIVO’ AND ‘UN NUEVO DIA’ NOMINATED FOR GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS IN THE OUTSTANDING SPANISH-LANGUAGE DAYTIME TALK SHOW EPISODE CATEGORY

‘Noticiero Telemundo’ Receives Outstanding Spanish-Language TV Journalism Segment Nomination

‘Noticias Telemundo 51’ (WSCV-51 Miami), ‘Noticiero Telemundo Arizona’ (KTAZ-39 Phoenix) and ‘Noticiero Telemundo Washington’ (WZDC-25 Washington, D.C.) Nominated for Outstanding Spanish-Language Local TV Journalism

MIAMI – January 31, 2013 – Telemundo Media, the largest producer of Spanish-language prime time content for audiences in the U.S. and around the world, has been nominated for seven GLAAD Media Awards in the Outstanding Spanish-Language Daytime Talk Show Episode, Outstanding Spanish-Language TV Journalism and Outstanding Spanish-Language Local TV Journalism categories. The 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards will be given out on April 12, 2014 from the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles and on May 3, 2014 from the Waldorf Astoria in New York.

In the category of Outstanding Spanish-Language Daytime Talk Show Episode, Telemundo Media was recognized for “Entregando a Mi Nieta (Surrendering My Granddaughter)” on “Caso Cerrado”; “Exclusivas Declaraciones (Exclusive Statements)” on “Al Rojo Vivo” and “Matrimonios Del Mismo Sexo: Entrevista con Daniel Zavala y Yohandel Ruiz (Same Sex Marriages: Interview with Daniel Zavala Ruiz and Yohandel)” on “Un Nuevo Día.” Additionally, Telemundo’s “Noticiero Telemundo” scored an Outstanding Spanish-Language TV Journalism Segment nomination for its piece, “Decisión Histórica (Historic Decision).”

For Outstanding Spanish-Language Local TV Journalism, Telemundo Stations received nominations for “Hasta Que La Corte Nos Una (Until We’re United by the Court)” on “Noticias Telemundo 51” from WSCV-51 in Miami, FL; “Natalia: Rompiendo Barreras (Natalia: Breaking Down Barriers)” on “Noticiero Telemundo Arizona” from KTAZ-39 in Phoenix, AZ and “Reportaje Especial: Derechos Homosexuales (Special Report: Gay Rights)” on “Noticiero Telemundo Washington” out of WZDC-25 in Washington, D.C..

The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community that inspire change. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD’s work to amplify stories of LGBT people and issues that build support for equality.

About Telemundo Media:
Telemundo Media, a division of NBCUniversal, is a world-class media company, leading the industry in the production and distribution of high-quality Spanish-language content across its multiplatform portfolio to U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. Telemundo’s multiple platforms include the Telemundo Network, a Spanish-language television network featuring original productions, theatrical motion pictures, news and first-class sports events, reaching U.S. Hispanic viewers in 210 markets through its 16 owned stations, broadcast and MVPD affiliates; mun2, the preeminent voice for young Hispanics in the U.S. reaching TV households nationwide on digital and analog cable, and satellite; Telemundo Digital Media, which distributes Telemundo’s original content across digital and emerging platforms including mobile devices, www.telemundo.com and www.mun2.tv; an owned and operated full power station in Puerto Rico that reaches 99% of all TV households in that DMA; and Telemundo Internacional, the international distribution arm which has positioned Telemundo as the second largest provider of Spanish-language content worldwide by syndicating content to more than 100 countries in over 35 languages.

Press Release: Katy Perry Debuts PSA for (We Are) #GAYPROPOGANDA

KATY PERRY DEBUTS (WE ARE) #GAYPROPAGANDA MOVEMENT PSA ON MADONNA’S ART FOR FREEDOM PLATFORM TO ILLUSTRATE VIOLENCE AGAINST LGBT PEOPLE IN RUSSIA

Los Angeles, January 31, 2014 – With the Sochi Olympics just days away, Katy Perry and Madonna chose to premiere (We Are) #GayPropaganda’s PSA as the finale of Katy’s month-long curation of #ArtForFreedom. “The Peace Sign” is the third in a series of PSAs inspired by recent images of violence against the LGBT community in Russia. The movement seeks to use the #GayPropaganda hashtag to unite the voices of LGBT people and allies alike in support of those people facing prejudice and violence in Russia, and around the world. In a mission akin to #ArtForFreedom, (We Are) #GayPropaganda seeks to redefine ‘gay propaganda’ by asking LGBT communities and their allies around the world: What does #GayPropaganda look like to you?’

This past fall, Vice Magazine and Madonna partnered to create #ArtForFreedom, a global digital initiative committed to bringing awareness to human rights violations. Through the initiative, Madonna encourages activism and contemplation by exhibiting artworks that speak to one defining question: What does freedom mean to you? One piece of art per day is featured on the website (www.artforfreedom.com) that “expresses a personal definition of freedom and revolution in the form of video, music, poetry, or photography. Katy Perry was announced as the first guest curator of #ArtForFreedom for January 2014. “I am so fortunate to have the freedom to express myself through music,” said Katy Perry, “I believe that 2014 can be a year of great social change. Together we can all stand up for Human Rights. Join the conversation, and let your art be your voice.”

Watch “The Peace Sign” PSA: http://youtu.be/EiycPiWOtL4

Watch all 3 PSAs: http://youtu.be/EiycPiWOtL4

About (We Are) #GayPropaganda
Join the movement. Use the hashtag & raise your voice in support of LGBT people in Russia and around the world facing prejudice and violence. #GayPropaganda seeks to reclaim, educate, empower, and inspire LGBT people and their allies by connecting art, images, and personal storytelling through the powerful yet simple social tools we use everyday.

Press Release: Kevin Connollly to direct “The Wright Girls”

ATLAS INDEPENDENT TAPS KEVIN CONNOLLY TO DIRECT THE WRIGHT GIRLS STARRING JESSICA ALBA

Highland Film Group to Handle International Sales Beginning at EFM on the Feature Inspired by the Japanese Film 2LDK

LOS ANGELES, CA, JANUARY 31, 2014 – Atlas Independent, the affiliate company of Charles Roven’s Atlas Entertainment, announced today that Golden Globe® nominee Jessica Alba has signed on to star in THE WRIGHT GIRLS. Kevin Connolly (Dear Eleanor, 30 for 30) is set to direct the feature from Bert V. Royal’s (Easy A) screenplay. Atlas Entertainment’s Alex Gartner will join William Green and Aaron Ginsburg of Atlas Independent to produce. Highland Film Group (HFG) will introduce the film to international buyers at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to work with Jessica again and re-imagine this great story for a new audience,” said Kevin Connolly. “It’s been great working with everyone at Atlas as we gear up for production.”

Inspired by the Japanese film, 2LDK, THE WRIGHT GIRLS is slated to begin production in the second quarter of 2014 in Los Angeles. The story centers around Kate and Vanessa, costars on a past-its-prime sitcom and roommates in real life. When they realize they are both up for the same lead role in a big movie that could catapult their careers into stardom, the roommates will go from best friends to worst enemies over the course of one action-packed night.

Alba and Connolly are represented by CAA and 3 Arts Entertainment. Bert V. Royal is represented by Paradigm.

Atlas Independent recently announced SANCTUARY, to be directed by Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego (APOLLO 18, OPEN GRAVE), which HFG will also begin selling at EFM.

ABOUT ATLAS INDEPENDENT
Atlas Independent is comprised of a hands-on team of film-makers working under the umbrella of Charles Roven’s Atlas Entertainment. Led by William Green, Atlas Independent produces indie-minded movies with budgets of $10 million or less, betting on the potential high profit margins of smaller films. The company has creative control on its projects and looks for independent financing, finding distribution after production. Atlas Independent’s first film, REVENGE FOR JOLLY!, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April of 2012 and shortly after was acquired by Sony Pictures World Wide Acquisitions. The film was released in May of 2013. Atlas Independent is currently in post-production on William Monahan’s MOJAVE which stars Garrett Hedlund, Oscar Isaac, Louise Bourgoin, and Walton Goggins. Additionally, Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego’s OPEN GRAVE which starred Sharlto Copley and Thomas Kretschmann was released this past December.

ABOUT HIGHLAND FILM GROUP
Highland Film Group is an independent film sales company which was founded in 2010 by Arianne Fraser, who recently partnered with Delphine Perrier. The film slate includes: the box office phenomena INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED released by Pantelion and Lionsgate starring Eugenio Derbez, Jessica Lindsey and Karla Souza; the Brett Ratner produced teen action comedy BARELY LETHAL, starring Hailee Steinfeld, Samuel L. Jackson and Jessica Alba: and YOUR RIGHT MIND starring Katherine Heigl.