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.

• Image Gallery: Hector and the Search for Happiness
• Image Gallery: This Is Where I Leave You<
• Press Release: “Evergreen” Launches on iTunes
• Press Release: “My Old Lady” to Show at 58th London Film Festival
• Press Release: AFI Latin American Film Festival Announces Lineup
• Press Release: Felix + Paul Studios, Samsung and Oculus VR to Launch First Consumer VR Headset
• Press Release: 2014 San Diego Film Festival Announces Full Festival Line-Up
• Press Release: Saban Films Acquires North American Rights to “Tracers”
• Press Release: Lotus Locks in Sales on “A Hologram for the King”
• Press Release: Relativity Acquires U.S. DistributioN Rights to “Kidnap”
• Press Release: “The Liberator” Selected as Venezuelan Entry For 2014 Academy Awards

Image Gallery: Hector and the Search for Happiness

See the Gallery Here

Image Gallery: This Is Where I Leave You

See the Gallery Here

Press Release: “Evergreen” Launches on iTunes

“Evergreen: The Road to Legalization” launches on iTunes

SEATTLE — Award-winning marijuana documentary “Evergreen: The Road to Legalization” today launched on iTunes for an exclusive digital download and rental period. Directed by Riley Morton and distributed by First Run Features, the 86-minute film is now available for $19.99 HD Download and $4.99 HD Rental in the Apple iTunes Store.

“Evergreen: The Road to Legalization” is a definitive behind-the-scenes examination of Washington state Initiative 502, which legalized recreational marijuana use at the state level for the first time in America. The film shines a light on the heated battle that led to the passage of I-502, including its context in the federal ‘War on Drugs’ and its rippling impact on the future of global drug policy.

During film festival screenings and theatrical openings including New York City, Seattle, Orlando and Denver, “Evergreen” emerged as a must-see case study for citizens, advocates, students, voters and politicians interested in marijuana issues. With today’s iTunes release, the documentary is now available to a national home video audience for the first time.

The New York Times called the film “Marijuana’s Road to Legitimacy” — a topic that is more relevant than ever, as other states begin to follow Washington and Colorado in reforming their own drug laws.

According to Gallup polls, a majority of Americans now support legalizing cannabis for recreational use. Last week, the Washington city of Fife announced a legal challenge banning I-502 marijuana retailers that could send state-level legalization straight to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Uruguay has legalized cannabis at the federal level, and countries from Jamaica to the Netherlands are now in the process of reforming their antiquated pot laws. The issue is reaching a worldwide tipping point, and the lessons of “Evergreen” are crucial in shaping future policies that will ultimately end cannabis prohibition in America and worldwide.

“Evergreen” is scheduled for one more theatrical screening in Portland, Ore. on Wednesday, September 10 at Northwest Film Center. Oregon is one of many states voting on cannabis reform this November.

Press Release: “My Old Lady” to Show at 58th London Film Festival

MY OLD LADY, starring Maggie Smith, to show at 58th BFI London Film Festival

Maggie Smith starrer MY OLD LADY will be shown at the 58th BFI London Film Festival, following its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 7). The film will also be presented as a Gala Premiere at the 10th Zurich Film Festival.

Mathias Gold (Kevin Kline) is a down-on-his-luck New Yorker who inherits a Parisian apartment from his estranged father. But when he arrives in France to sell the vast domicile, he’s shocked to discover a live-in tenant (Smith) and her protective daughter (Kristin Scott Thomas) – neither of whom are prepared to budge.

With its unique blend of comedy, drama and ultimately romance, MY OLD LADY marks the directorial debut of internationally celebrated playwright Israel Horovitz, adapting his own hit play. MY OLD LADY is a touching romantic drama about inheritance and past secrets coming home to roost, featuring an all-star cast working together at the height of their powers. The film is produced by Gary Foster (SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, TV’s COMMUNITY) and Rachael Horovitz (MONEYBALL, HBO’S GREY GARDENS).

Press Release: AFI Latin American Film Festival Announces Lineup

AFI LATIN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL 2014 ANNOUNCES LINEUP

Opens with THE LIBERATOR; Closes with 10,000 KM

Twenty-fifth Edition of Festival Runs September 18–October 8 with 40 Films Representing 20 Countries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Silver Spring, MD, September 4, 2014 — The American Film Institute announced today the complete slate of films for the 2014 edition of its AFI Latin American Film Festival which will take place September 18–October 8 at the historic AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, Maryland. The festival, now celebrating its 25th year, showcases the best in filmmaking from Latin America and, with the inclusion of films from Spain and Portugal, celebrates Ibero-American cultural connections. This year’s selection of 40 films ranges from international festival favorites and award winners, to local box-office hits and debut works from gifted new talents. Additionally, a number of the filmmakers and actors will present their films in person at this year’s screenings and several of the festival’s Special Presentations will include post-screening receptions.

The Opening Night film, THE LIBERATOR, directed by Alberto Arvelo (CYRANO FERNÁNDEZ) is an epic big-screen biopic about the South American freedom fighter Simón Bolívar. The screening will be followed by a reception sponsored by Café Azul.

Additional Special Festival Presentations include: Argentina’s box office sensation 7TH FLOOR, a heart-pounding thriller starring Ricardo Darín (THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES) and Belén Rueda (THE ORPHANAGE); a free sneak preview of the animated adventure THE BOOK OF LIFE, produced by Guillermo del Toro (PACIFIC RIM), with director and writer Jorge Gutierrez in attendance for a post-screening discussion; and PARADISE, a light-hearted rom-com about weight loss, with director/screenwriter Mariana Chenillo (NORA’S WILL) in attendance for a discussion, plus a post-screening reception sponsored by the Mexican Cultural Institute.

The 2014 festival also features the World Premiere of the first Salvadoran dramatic feature in more than 40 years, THE CROW’S NEST, with producer/director/screenwriter Arturo Menéndez and producer Andre Guttfreund in attendance for a discussion, plus a post-screening reception sponsored by the Embassy of El Salvador; the US premiere of recent Cannes debut, GENTE DE BIEN, a sensitive coming-of-age story; and TO KILL A MAN, winner of the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Competition at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, with lead actor Daniel Candia in attendance, to be followed by a Chilean wine tasting sponsored by the Embassy of Chile.

Other festival highlights include LOCK CHARMER, a charming dramedy with a dash of magical realism, with director/screenwriter Natalia Smirnoff (ROMPECABEZAS) in attendance for a discussion with Dr. Beatriz Urraca, co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina,” plus a post-screening reception sponsored by the Embassy of Argentina; and Closing Night selection, 10,000 KM, about a long-distance relationship in the 21st century, with director/screenwriter Carlos Marques-Marcet (THE YELLOW RIBBON) in attendance for a discussion, plus a post-screening reception sponsored by SPAIN arts & culture and the Embassy of Spain.

Additional festival guests include filmmaker Héctor Valdez and actor Christian Alvarez with their breathtaking Dominican road film, SOUTH OF INNOCENCE and director/screenwriter Cláudio Marques with his anarchic political allegory from Brazil, AFTER THE RAIN.

Further highlights include Argentina’s LIVING STARS, a raucous dance documentary, which will be followed by an after-party featuring a DJ set by Maracuyeah Collective; CASA GRANDE, a witty coming-of-age tale from Brazil that explores issues of race and class; TWO SHOTS FIRED, an existential comedy from Martín Rejtman (THE MAGIC GLOVES), following its recent screenings at the Toronto and New York Film Festivals; ILLITERATE, starring Paulina García (GLORIA); THE BOY AND THE WORLD, a stunningly animated Brazilian fable, awarded the top prize at this year’s Annecy Animated Film Festival; and LIVING IS EASY WITH EYES CLOSED, winner of six Goya Awards.

Press Release: Felix + Paul Studios, Samsung and Oculus VR to Launch First Consumer VR Headset

FELIX + PAUL STUDIOS TEAMS UP WITH SAMSUNG AND OCULUS VR FOR THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE FIRST CONSUMER VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSET

TORONTO, CANADA (September 4, 2014) – Felix & Paul Studios, a creative and technological leader in the field of live-action Virtual Reality content creation, has been chosen by Samsung and Oculus VR to create, direct, and produce the “Introduction to VR” 3D 360° Virtual Reality cinematic experience for the release of the new Samsung Gear VR mobile head-mounted display, powered by Oculus.

The two-minute INTRODUCTION TO VR experience is an extraordinarily immersive visual journey that will transport viewers transport viewers above the clouds to the summit of Haleakala, place them in the company of a nomadic Mongolian family in their yurt, at the center of a gravity-defying Cirque du Soleil performance, and from a satellite’s breathtaking point of view of Earth from outer space.

Two additional Virtual Reality experiences created and produced by Felix & Paul Studios will be featured on the Samsung Gear VR:

• STRANGERS WITH PATRICK WATSON is a four-minute intimate experience that places you in a recording studio with the famed Canadian musician Patrick Watson, as he composes a song at his piano.

• ZARKANA is an aerial strap performance specially designed for Virtual Reality where you are on stage of the spectacular and fantastic world of Zarkana created by Cirque du Soleil.

Felix & Paul Studios has developed proprietary 3D stereoscopic 360° camera recording technology and software. The creative team is on the forefront of producing premium live-action Virtual Reality content. They recently announced financing from the Montreal-based group PHI Centre.

Press Release: 2014 San Diego Film Festival Announces Full Festival Line-Up

2014 SAN DIEGO FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FULL FESTIVAL LINE-UP

– Gala Presentations Include Laggies, The Equalizer, The Good Lie and The Imitation Game

– 89 Films Chosen for Narrative, Documentary and Short Competition

SAN DIEGO, CA (September 4, 2014) – The San Diego Film Festival, produced by the San Diego Film Foundation, announced today its full festival line-up. The 13th edition will take place September 24th through September 28th in San Diego, CA. As previously announced, Wild starring Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern will open the festival and You’re Not You starring Hilary Swank, Emmy Rossum and Josh Duhamel will close the festival. Duhamel will be in attendance for the screening.

“The San Diego Film Festival will celebrate the year’s best independent cinema from emerging and established filmmakers showcasing their latest works to some of Hollywood’s most buzz-worthy award season releases,” said Tonya Mantooth, Vice President and Director of Programming, San Diego Film Festival. “We’ve curated a wide selection of films that we hope movie lovers of all genres will enjoy.”

Leading the program are gala presentation screenings, which include Lynn Shelton’s Laggies starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Keira Knightley and Sam Rockwell, Philippe Falardeau’s The Good Lie starring Reese Witherspoon, Morten Tyldum’s The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley, and Antoine Fuqua’s The Equalizer starring Denzel Washington, Michael Csokas and Chloë Grace Moretz.
In addition, the San Diego Film Festival is proud to screen narrative, documentary and short films all in competition vying for top honors. Screenings will be held at the Reading Theater in Downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and ArcLight Cinemas in La Jolla. The complete list of 2014 San Diego Film Festival titles are available at sdfilmfest.com.

2014 SAN DIEGO FILM FESTIVAL LINE-UP

Narrative Competition (25): The Narrative Competition is comprised of films made by talented emerging filmmakers that compete for the Filmmaker Award. The winner is determined by a panel of jurors, and films in this section are also eligible for the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature or Best International Feature.

A Love Story, Lindefield, Dir. Radu Gabrea, Romania, World Premiere
Bad Country, Dir. Chris Brinker, USA
Big Significant Things, Dir. Bryan Reisberg, USA, West Coast Premiere
Cas & Dylan, Dir. Jason Priestley, Canada, San Diego Premiere
Chu and Blossom, Dir. Charles Chu, USA, California Premiere
Come to My Voice, Dir. Huseyin Karabey, Turkey/France/Germany US Premiere
Fort Bliss, Dir. Claudia Myers, USA, San Diego Premiere
God’s Slave, Dir. Joel Novoa, Venezuela/Argentina, North American Premiere
Gone Doggy Gone, Dir. Kasi Brown, USA, California Premiere
Jack and the Cuckoo-clock Heart, Dir. Stephane Berla, Mathias Malzieu, France/ Belgium, North American Premiere
Laggies, Dir. Lynn Shelton, USA, California Premiere
Little Accidents, Dir. Sara Colangelo, USA, California Premiere
Noble, Dir. Stephen Bradley United Kingdom/Vietnam, US Premiere
Project-M, Dir. Alex Colonna, Chad Clinton Freeman, USA, US Premiere
Schimbare, Dir. Álex Sampayo, Spain, North American Premiere
Starcrossed, Dir. Chase Mohseni, USA, World Premiere
The Equalizer, Dir. Antoine Fuqua, USA, US Premiere
The Good Lie, Dir. Philippe Falardeau, USA, US Premiere
The Imitation Game Dir. Morten Tyldum, United Kingdom/USA, California Premiere
The Perfect Wave, Dir. Bruce Macdonald, South Africa/New Zealand/Indonesia, San Diego Premiere
The Wolves of Savin Hill, Dir. John Beaton Hill, USA, World Premiere
Time Lapse, Dir. Bradley King, USA, California Premiere
Where the Road Runs Out, Dir. Rudolf Buitendach, South Africa/Netherlands/Equatorial Guinea, World Premiere
Wild, Dir. Jean-Marc Vallee, USA, California Premiere
You’re Not You, Dir. George C Wolfe, USA, US Premiere

Documentary Competition (14): The Documentary Competition is comprised of films made by talented emerging documentary filmmakers that compete for the Documentary Award. The winner is determined by a panel of jurors, and films in this section are also eligible for the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Austin to Boston, Dirs. Marcus Haney, James Marcus Haney, World Premiere
Chelsea’s Light, A Brothers Journey, Dir. Bruce Caulk, USA, World Premiere
Death Makes Life Possible, Dir. Mark Krigbaum, USA
Dogs on the Inside, Dirs. Brean Cunningham, Douglas Seirup, USA, West Coast Premiere
High Ground, Dir. Michael Brown, USA
LaDonna Harris: Indian 101, Dir. Julianna Brannum, USA
On Any Sunday, The Next Chapter, Dir. Dana Brown, USA, West Coast Premiere
Our people. Our culture. Our history., Dir. Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, USA, World Premiere
OUT In the Lineup, Dir. Ian W. Thomson, Australia, West Coast Premiere
The Black Moses, Dir. Travolta Cooper, USA
The Hornet’s Nest, Dirs. David Salzberg, Christian Tureaud, USA
Touching the Sound: The Improbable Journey of Nobuyuki Tsujii, Dir. Peter Rosen, USA, West Coast Premiere
Untouchable: Children of God,Dir. Grant Knisely, India/Nepal/Singapore/USA, California Premiere
Waiting for Mamu, Dirs. Francois Caillaud, Dan Chen, Thomas A. Morgan, USA, San Diego Premiere

SHORTS (50):

A Different Kind of Love:
A Stitch In Time (for $9.99), Dir. Mu Sun, USA, California Premiere
Chance of Rain, Dir. Philipp C. Wolter, USA, San Diego Premiere
Rolling Romance, Dir. David Conley, USA, San Diego Premiere
Sure Thing, Dir. Deborah Reinisch, USA, California Premiere
Til Death, Dir. Philip Chidel, USA, San Diego Premiere

Animation:
Captain Fish, Dir. John Banana, France, World Premiere
Dam Keeper, Dir. Robert Kondo and Daisuke Tsutsumi, USA, San Diego Premiere
John Doe, Dustin Reno and Yizhou Li, USA, San Diego Premiere
Le Gouffre, Dir. Carl Beauchemin, Thomas Chrétien, and David Forest, Canada, San Diego Premiere
Owned, Daniel Clark and Wesley Tippetts, USA, California Premiere
The Umbrella Factory, Dir. Lexie Findarle Trivundza and Nick Trivundza, USA, California Premiere
Two Ghosts , Dir. Amy Lee Ketchum, USA World Premiere

Bittersweet:
Dragula, Dir. Frank Meli, USA, San Diego Premiere
Fare Play, Dir. Jeremy Weiss, USA,World Premiere
Lunchbox Loser, Dir. Virginia Abramovich, Canada, West Coast Premiere
The Moped Diaries, Dir. Tyler Nilson and Nick Vitale, USA, San Diego Premiere
Toutes des Connes, Dir. François Jaros, Canada, San Diego Premiere
What Cheer?, Dir. Michael Slavens, USA, San Diego Premiere

Mind Games:
A Man on the Edge, Dir. Edward Lyons, Australia, San Diego Premiere
Emily, Dir. Guy Davies, UK, San Diego Premiere
On the Bridge, Dir. Sameer Patel, UK, San Diego Premiere
Prized, Dir. Jason Carley, USA, San Diego Premiere
The Beating, Dir. Cyrus Mirakhor, USA, West Coast Premiere
The Trunk, Dir. Mragendra Singh, USA, World Premiere

Niche shorts:
Families are Forever, Dir. Caitlin Ryan, USA, West Coast Premiere
ištíŋma/to rest, Dir. Andres Torres-Vives, USA (Native American), San Diego Premiere
Of Beaches & Beer, Dir. Ben Moxley, USA, World Premiere
Unmatched, Dir. Bella King, USA/Canada (Native American), West Coast Premiere

Push the Limits:
Disconnected, Dir. Ludovic Littee, USA, San Diego Premiere
Present Trama, Dir. Mark Manalo, USA, San Diego Premiere
The Bravest, The Boldest, Dir. Moon Molson, USA, San Diego Premiere
Tobacco Burn, Dir. Justin Liberman, USA, San Diego Premiere
Trespass, Dir. Keith Schwalenberg, USA, San Diego Premiere
Wrapped, Dir. Roman Kaelin, Falko Paeper, and Florian Wittmann, Germany/USA, San Diego Premiere

The Twist:
Etiquette, Dir. Lauren Davis, UK, North American Premiere
LiFi, Dir. Jason Boesch and Preston Peterson, USA, San Diego Premiere
Miriam, Dir. Esther Hegarty, UK, San Diego Premiere
Not Funny, Dir. Carlos Violadé Guerrero, Spain, California Premiere
Oh! My Princess, Dir. Heewook Sa, South Korea, West Coast Premiere

Unexpected Comedy:
Foam Drive Renegades, Dir. Adam DeViller, Canada, West Coast Premiere
Gli Zii, Dir. Gerard Monaco, UK/Italy, San Diego Premiere
Manos Arriba, Dir. Andrew Seaton, Australia, World Premiere
Modern Man, Dir. Sebastian Solberg, New Zealand, North American Premiere
Ricky Lemon, Dir. Roman Wyden, USA, San Diego Premiere
Tango Underpants, Dir. Khrob Edmonds and Miranda Edmonds, Australia, San Diego Premiere

World Issues:
Bagdad Mesi, Dir. Sahim Omar Kalifa, Belgium/United Arab Emirates, San Diego Premiere
Disinfection, Dir. Alexandra Parral, USA, World Premiere
Drone Strike, Dir. Chris Richmond, UK, San Diego Premiere
I am Sami, Dir. Kae Bahar, UK/Iraq, West Coast Premiere
The War Photographers, Dir. Steven Kochones, USA, San Diego Premiere

Press Release: Saban Films Acquires North American Rights to “Tracers”

SABAN FILMS ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO TAYLOR LAUTNER STARRER “TRACERS” FROM TEMPLE HILL ENTERTAINMENT

Recently Launched Banner Partners with the Producers of Twilight on Second Acquisition Following Tommy Lee Jones’ The Homesman

LOS ANGELES – SEPTEMBER, 5 2014 – Haim Saban, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saban Capital Group, Inc. (“SCG”), announced today that the company has acquired the North American distribution rights to the action thriller TRACERS starring Taylor Lautner (The Twilight Saga, Abduction) and Marie Avgeropoulos (50/50, The CW’s The 100).

TRACERS reteams Lautner with Twilight producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey of Temple Hill Entertainment who are producing alongside D. Scott Lumpkin.

The fast-paced action thriller follows New York City bicycle messenger, Cam (Lautner) who is the hottest thing on two wheels, but is in debt to an organized crime gang. When he crashes his bike into a sexy stranger, Nikki (Avgeropoulos), Cam is immediately seduced by her and the thrill of the high-stakes world of parkour.

Saban President Bill Bromiley said, “We were immediately drawn to TRACERS because it amplifies and expands on action storytelling and captivates the thrill seeker in all of us. Taylor is one of the best young actors of his generation and watching him jump across buildings, surf down escalators, and execute his own stunts is going to stun the audience. His performance is authentic and heightens the daredevil nature of the film.”

This is the second collaboration between Bromiley, Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey following 2008’s Management starring Jennifer Aniston. The film is directed by Daniel Benmayor (Bruc, the Manhunt) and written by Leslie Bohem, Matt Johnson, Kevin Lund and T.J. Scott.

Bromiley and Ness Saban negotiated on behalf of Saban Films and WME Global on behalf of the producers.

Saban Films is the new venture, which is headed by President Bill Bromiley, and launched just prior to Cannes where they acquired THE HOMESMAN, starring Academy Award® winners Tommy Lee Jones and Hilary Swank. The film had its world premiere in competition at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, and Saban Films will release stateside with Roadside Attractions on November 7th.

Press Release: Lotus Locks in Sales on “A Hologram for the King”

LOTUS ENTERTAINMENT LOCKS IN NUMEROUS SALES ON TOM TYKWER’S A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING

TORONTO, September 4, 2014– Lotus Entertainment announced today that A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING has now sold to a majority of international territories. Directed by Tom Tykwer, A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING stars two-time Academy Award® Winner Tom Hanks along with Sarita Choudhury, Omar Elba, Tracey Fairaway, David Menkin and Tom Skerritt.

As recently announced, Icon Film Distribution picked up the UK rights to the film. Additional sold territories include: Benelux (A-Film Benelux Rechten BV); Greece/Cypress/Turkey/Middle East/India/Pakistan (Italia Film International SAL); Iceland (Myndform); Israel (United King Films Ltd);Portugal (Pris Audiovisuais S.A.); Scandinavia (Mis.Label); Bulgaria & Romania (Programs4 Media Ltd.); Ex-Yugoslavia (Blitz Film); Poland (Monolith); Latin America ex-Mexico (Swen Group); China (HGC Entertainment Ltd.); Hong Kong (Golden Scene Co. Ltd); Singapore (Shaw Renters); Taiwan (Caichang Int’l Inc.); Thailand (Mono Film); South Africa (MNET); Indonesia (Prima Cinema); and Airlines (Cinesky). X Filme Creative Pool, who co-produced retains rights for Germany/Austria/Switzerland and executive producer, Fábrica de Cine retains rights for Mexico and Spain.

“The audience is sure to enjoy having fun with Tom Hanks as he takes them on this wonderful journey and delivers yet another great performance in this film,” says Lotus Entertainment’s Bill Johnson. “The pedigree of the cast and crew, along with the source material, reasonated deeply with our buyers,“ continues Jim Seibel.

A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING takes place far away from the recession-weary USA, as an up-and-coming Saudi Arabian city provides the backdrop for foundering American businessman Alan Clay’s (Hanks) last-ditch effort to stave off bankruptcy, pay his daughter’s college fees, and accomplish something grand. A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING is a gentle, crazy, wistful ballad recounting the journey of a man, in a country that requires him to rise to completely unknown challenges – and that answers old questions in new and unexpected ways.

A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING is produced by Uwe Schott and Stefan Arndt of X Filme Creative Pool, Arcadiy Golubovich and Timothy D. O’Hair of Primeridian and Gary Goetzman of Playtone. Steven Shareshian of Playtone, Claudia Bluemhuber of Silver Reel, Gaston Pavlovich of Fabrica de Cine, Jim Seibel and Bill Johnson of Lotus Entertainment, and Dave Eggers are executive producers. CAA is handling the domestic sale.

Lotus’ current film slate includes: Henry Hobson’s MAGGIE with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Abigail Breslin which recently was acquired by Lionsgate for North America; KIDNAP starring Academy Award® winner Halle Berry; Scott Hicks’ FALLEN based on the best-selling YA novel; Craig Zobel’s Z FOR ZACHARIAH with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Chris Pine; and SONG ONE starring Anne Hathaway.

Press Release: Relativity Acquires U.S. DistributioN Rights to “Kidnap”

RELATIVITY STUDIOS ACQUIRES U.S. DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS TO HALLE BERRY THRILLER, KIDNAP from lotus entertainment

-Relativity Studios announced today that it has acquired U.S. distribution rights from Lotus Entertainment to the thriller KIDNAP, starring Academy Award® winner Halle Berry (X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, MONSTER’S BALL).

-This is the second acquisition announced by the studio this week, along with WOMEN IN BLACK 2. It is also yet another step in building out Relativity Studios’ action thriller genre, which has seen recent profitable grosses in 3 DAYS TO KILL and THE NOVEMBER MAN and begins production this month on D.J. Caruso’s THE DISAPPOINTMENTS’ ROOM.

-Lotus Entertainment and Gold Star Films financed the film with Lotus handling international sales. This is the second significant domestic deal for Lotus and Gold Star in recent weeks, after Lionsgate acquired the North American rights to Henry Hobson’s film “Maggie” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Abigail Breslin.

-Luis Prieto (PUSHER) is attached to direct the film, based off Knate Gwaltney’s first screenplay. The film is set to begin production in late fall 2014.

Di Bonaventure Pictures’ Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Erik Howsam are producing the film. Executive producers are Lotus Entertainment’s Bill Johnson, Jim Seibel, D.J. Gugenheim and Ara Keshishian alongside Gold Star¹s Joey Tufaro and Colin Bates, Knate Gwaltney, Halle Berry and her producing partner Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas through their 606 Films production banner.

-The film is a heart-stopping action thriller following a mother (Berry) who will stop at nothing to rescue her kidnapped son.

-Berry is represented by CAA, Vincent Cirrincione Associates, and attorney Doug Stone with Stone, Meyer, Genow, Smelkinson and Binder. Luis Prieto is represented by CAA, and Knate Gwaltney is represented by CAA and attorney Darren Trattner at Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer Austen Mandelbaum Morris & Klein.

-CAA packaged the project and reps the domestic rights.

-Relativity Studios had the highest-grossing acquisition out of TIFF 2013 with OCULUS.

-Looking forward, Relativity Studios will release Hector and the Search for Happiness (in theaters September 19, 2014), author Nicholas Sparks’ The Best of Me (in theaters October 17, 2014) and Beyond the Lights (in theaters November 14, 2014).

-Lotus’ current film slate includes: Tom Tykwer’s “A Hologram for the King” starring two-time Academy Award® Winner Tom Hanks; Scott Hicks’ Fallen based on the best-selling YA novel; Craig Zobel’s “Z For Zachariah” with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Chris Pine; and Song One starring Anne Hathaway.

Press Release: “The Liberator” Selected as Venezuelan Entry For 2014 Academy Awards

ALBERTO ARVELO’S “THE LIBERATOR – LIBERTADOR” STARRING EDGAR RAMIREZ SELECTED AS VENEZUELA’S SUBMISSION TO THIS YEAR’S ACADEMY AWARDS

Cohen Media Group to Release in North America on October 3rd

Los Angeles, CA – Sept. 6, 2014 – Director Alberto Arvelo’s (A House with a View of the Sea, Cyrano Fernández) The Liberator – Libertador a modern epic about the life of Simón Bolívar starring Golden Globe and Emmy nominated Venezuelan actor Edgar Ramírez (Point Break, Carlos, Zero Dark Thirty) will be Venezuela’s submission for Best Foreign Language Film to this year’s Academy Awards. The film co-stars Spanish actress María Valverde (Melissa P.), Danny Huston (Magic City, X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Imanol Arias (El Lute) and Gary Lewis (Billy Elliot, Gangs of New York).

Cohen Media Group acquired the North American rights and will be releasing the film theatrically on Oct. 3rd. Mundial, IM Global’s joint venture with Canana is handling international sales on The Liberator – Libertador.

The film was released in Venezuela on July 24 and has since attracted almost 600,000 spectators. The Venezuelan committee chose the film for it’s: “artistic and production value, staging/realization, music and photography.”

“Cohen Media Group is incredibly proud to bring THE LIBERATOR – LIBERTADOR to North American audiences this October, starting in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, and other key markets. This elegant, powerful film explores the life of one of history’s great men, and we are thrilled to know it will be Venezuela’s submission for Best Foreign Language Film to this year’s Academy Awards,” said Charles S. Cohen, Chairman and CEO, Cohen Media Group.

The Filmmakers said: “We are honored by the decision of the national committee for selecting The Liberator – Libertador in representation of Venezuela for the awards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This news is of great joy to all those that with great effort made ​​this film possible.”

“Alberto’s film is something incredibly unique and extraordinarily ambitious for South America, and for this reason has really resonated with foreign distributors since its inception. The film’s performance in the local box office is truly remarkable and a sign of the success we expect internationally,” said Mundial’s Pablo Cruz.

The Liberator – Libertador is a modern epic about the life of Simón Bolívar (1783 – 1830), who was instrumental in Latin America’s struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire, and is today considered one of the most influential politicians and emancipators in American history. The film is told from the viewpoint of Bolívar, featuring his quests and epic military campaigns, which covered twice the territory Alexander the Great conquered, and his vision to unify South America.

The film is written by Timothy Sexton (Children of Men) and produced by Ana Loehnert, Winfried Hammacher and Alberto Arvelo. Co-producers include Jose Luis Escolar and executive producers are Edgar Ramírez and Maria A. Guerrero Rocca. The Liberator – Libertador was shot in 13 different locations between South America and Europe.

LA Philharmonic Conductor and Venezuelan Native Gustavo Dudamel composed the score for The Liberator – Libertador which is a Venezuelan-Spanish coproduction between Producciones Insurgentes and San Mateo Films. It was filmed in rarely seen Venezuelan locations such as Llanos de Acarigua, Parque Nacional de Canaima, and Caracas, in addition to the Spanish cities of Jerez, Barbate, Zahara, Carmona, Seville, Sierra Nevada, Alcalá de Henares, Chinchón and Madrid.