The Inbox (Oct. 18-24, 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: The Real Experimental Film Festival Opens to Debut in Beverly Hills

THE REAL EXPERIMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL DEBUTS IN BEVERLY HILLS NOVEMBER 21 THROUGH 27

Hosted by Los Angeles Filmmaker Jefery Levy; Festival announces call for entries

Los Angeles, CA (October 20, 2014) – The Real Experimental Film Festival will debut November 21-27, 2014 at the Music Hall Theater in Beverly Hills, it was announced today by filmmaker Jefery Levy (Inside Monkey Zetterland, S.F.W, Drive and Man of God.). In addition, as of today, the festival is accepting film submissions via www.jeferylevy.com. The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2014.
The Real Experimental Film Festival will feature three films a day at the Music Hall, one of which will be chosen from the submissions. The other two films that will screen each evening include THE KEY and ME, both new feature films from Levy and his producing partner, Susan Traylor.

The festival will provide a platform for experimental filmmakers to have their features shown on a big screen to a public audience. “I spent time teaching film students at USC and at AFI and, being a filmmaker myself, I know how devoted one becomes to their craft,” said Levy. “Distribution can often be a roadblock – especially for those films considered ‘non-commercial’ – and this festival will give some of these a forum to play in a theater that may otherwise never happen.”

Levy’s new films, THE KEY and ME, will round out each evening as they play a double feature. Based on the legendary Japanese novel of the same name by Nobel Laureate Junichiro Tanizaki, THE KEY stars David Arquette and Bai Ling in an erotic and visually stunning exploration of marriage and lust, told exclusively through the couple’s private journal entries. ME, a satirical and existential look at the self-obsessed culture of Hollywood and Reality TV, stars Levy, Susan Traylor, Jennifer Jason-Leigh, Gina Gershon, Steve Agee, Julian Sands, Molly Ringwald, Jay McInerney, and Sam Trammell.

Press Release: “We the Economy” Releases in Time for U.S. Elections

Just in Time for Elections, SnagFilms Will Release WE THE ECONOMY: 20 SHORT FILMS YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS

Premiering Today (10/21) Across More Than 50 Digital Platforms,
the Multi-Genre Project, Produced by Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Productions and Morgan Spurlock’s Cinelan, Features an
Incredible Lineup of Award-Winning Directors Including
Bob Balaban, Catherine Hardwicke, Mary Harron,
Albert Hughes, Barbara Kopple, James Schamus and More

NEW YORK, NY – Just in time for elections, SnagFilms, the award-winning video platform and 2014 Webby® finalist, will release FilmBuff’s WE THE ECONOMY: 20 Short Films You Can’t Afford To Miss. Premiering today, October 21, at http://www.snagfilms.com/show/we_the_economy

the project features an outstanding group of award-winning directors, producers, and economic advisors and presents the complex intricacies of economics in the United States in a fun, succinct, informative, and easily digestible format.

Featuring animation, comedy, musical, dance, non-fiction, and scripted films in a 5-8 minute format, WE THE ECONOMY seeks to cultivate a better understanding of the economy at both the individual and societal levelsand to empower people to take control of their own economic trajectories. Directors include Ramin Bahrani (99 Homes, Goodbye Solo), Bob Balaban (Gosford Park, The Exonerated), Joe Berlinger (Brother’s Keeper, Paradise Lost trilogy), Jon M. Chu (Step Up, G.I. Joe: Retaliation), Marshall Curry (Street Fight, If a Tree Falls), Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (Jesus Camp, Detropia), Adrian Grenier (Entourage, How To Make Money Selling Drugs), Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight, Thirteen), Mary Harron (American Psycho, I Shot Andy Warhol), Chris Henchy (The Campaign, The Other Guys), Lee Hirsch (Bully, Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony), Albert Hughes (The Book of Eli, Menace II Society), Steve James (Hoop Dreams, Life Itself), Barbara Kopple (Harlan County USA, American Dream), Shola Lynch (Free Angela and All Political Prisoners, Chisholm ’72), Adam McKay (Anchorman, Funny or Die), Jehane Noujaim (The Square, Control Room), James Schamus (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Brokeback Mountain), Morgan Spurlock (CNN’s Morgan Spurlock: Inside Man, Super Size Me), Miao Wang (Beijing Taxi, Yellow Ox Mountain) and Jessica Yu (Last Call at the Oasis, In the Realms of the Unreal).

Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Productions and Morgan Spurlock’s Cinelan partnered to produce “WE THE ECONOMY” and selected FilmBuff to collaborate with on the distribution of the series across digital, cable, television and mobile platforms in order to reach the widest possible audience. FilmBuff, a leader in digital distribution of independent films and episodic content, has taken on the unprecedented task of premiering all short films as well as an additional 30+ group of interviews and extras to more than 50 digital and broadcast partners.

Morgan Spurlock, WE THE ECONOMY executive producer and co-founder of Cinelan, added, “We’re confident these films will engage such a huge audience in a way that the subject matter hasn’t done before. We’ll be looking at the ROE, or what we like to think of as the ‘return on education.’”

In addition to the VOD and broadcast platforms, “WE THE ECONOMY” will be available through a partnership with Landmark Theatres in a special, one-night-only free theatrical sneak preview event on October 20 in 20 cities nationwide. For cities and times, please consult Landmark Theatres.

Additional distribution partners include Amazon Instant Video, AOL On Network, CBS News, CinemaNow, CNBC, The Scene powered by Condé Nast Entertainment, Comcast’s Xfinity TV, Cox, Crackle, Dailymotion, Fandor, Google Play, Hulu, iN DEMAND, iTunes, Netflix, Pivot TV, reddit.tv, Sony PlayStation Store, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS, Vutopia, Xbox Video, Yahoo Screen and YouTube.

Press Release: The Humane Society of the United States to Fete Darren Aronofsky with Innaugural Award

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES TRIBUTES DARREN ARONOFSKY WITH INAUGURAL HUMANE FILMMAKER AWARD

“Noah” Director Honored for Use of CGI in Place of Real Animals in the Making of the $359.2 Million Worldwide Box Office Hit

NEW YORK (October x, 2014) – The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) announced it will bestow the inaugural Humane Filmmaker award to director Darren Aronofsky at its “To the Rescue! New York 2014” benefit gala on Friday, November 21 at Cipriani. The award was created to recognize Aronofsky’s leadership and commitment to animal protection and welfare, as he demonstrated using CGI visual effects instead of live animal actors in his recent box office hit, “Noah,” which has garnered $359.2 million worldwide to date.

“I’m honored to accept the Humane Filmmaker award from The Humane Society of the United States,” said Aronofsky. “When I started working on ‘Noah,’ an early question was how to express the vastness and complexity of the animal kingdom on the big screen. It was quickly apparent that working with live animals would be dangerous for them. It was also morally ambiguous considering we were making a film about the first naturalist, Noah, who saved and cared for all the varied species on the planet. Luckily, CGI has evolved to a point where filmmakers can do almost anything and bring any creature to life. I was happy with the results, and I encourage other filmmakers to look at digital solutions before enlisting live animals.”

“We are thrilled to present Darren Aronofsky with the Humane Filmmaker award and applaud his compassionate decision to use CGI in ‘Noah,’” said Michelle Cho, Vice President of the Los Angeles office for The HSUS. “Darren’s ingenious film is a testament that animals can remain a cornerstone in entertainment without their welfare ever being put in jeopardy, and the worldwide box office success of ‘Noah’ proves that audiences find digital animals just as effective in storytelling.”

Press Release: Big Apple Film Festival Announces Slate

The 11th Annual Big Apple Film Festival Kicks Off on November 5

Festival Announces Slate of 129 Films and Appearances by Actors Including

Katherine Waterston (Inherent Vice, Boardwalk Empire) and Jerry Stiller (Seinfeld, King of Queens) and More

Jerry Stiller To Be Honored with “Golden Apple Award”

Katherine Waterston To Be Honored with “New York Emerging Talent Award”

October 22, 2014 – New York, NY – The 11th annual Big Apple Film Festival (BAFF) today announced its lineup of 129 feature-length and short films. In addition to film screenings, this year’s festival will also feature Q&As with filmmakers and talent, discussions with special guests, opening and closing night receptions and a closing night awards ceremony. The 11th annual Big Apple Film Festival runs November 5 – 9 at the Tribeca Cinemas.

The Big Apple Film Festival will commence on November 5th with the opening night film MANHATTAN ROMANCE, written and directed by Tom O’Brien (Fairhaven), who also stars in the film opposite Katherine Waterston (Inherent Vice), Gaby Hoffmann (Transparent), and Caitlin Fitzgerald (Masters of Sex). Following the screening Katherine Waterston, who recently appeared as the lead actress in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice, will accept the festival’s prestigious “Emerging Talent” award. Previous winners include Mike Vogel, Jesse Eisenberg, Louisa Krause and Aaron Stanford.

The festival will present its “Golden Apple Award” to actor/comedian Jerry Stiller. Best known for his role as Frank Constanza on Seinfeld, Jerry Stiller stars in SIMPLER TIMES, premiering at BAFF on November 8th. Previous “Golden Apple Award” winners include Cuba Gooding Jr, Morgan Spurlock, Anthony Bregman and Alan Cumming. Other highlights of this year’s festival will include Q & A’s with filmmakers and actors, as well as networking events, filmmaker receptions and a closing night award ceremony.

“We’re thrilled to once again offer audiences an opportunity to see groundbreaking independent films, from an exciting group of established talent and rising stars,” commented Big Apple Film Festival founder and director Jonathan Lipp. “Now in our second decade, this year’s festival boasts our strongest lineup yet.”

Recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals,” the Big Apple Film Festival has connected audiences with independent films and filmmakers from the New York City metropolitan area and beyond since the inaugural festival in 2004. As New York City is synonymous with cultural diversity, the Big Apple Film Festival seeks to recognize and support films and filmmakers which focus their attention on the unique qualities of individuals of all backgrounds and ethnicities.

Additional highlights of the 2014 Big Apple Film Festival include:

BREAD AND BUTTER directed by Liz Manishil and starring Lauren Lapkus (Jurassic World, Are You Here, Orange is the New Black, Blended), Eric Lange, Harry Groener and Bobby Moynihan(Saturday Night Live, Monsters University).

FLOATING SUNFLOWERS directed by Francisco Solorzano and starring Anna Chlumsky (Veep), and Lynn Cohen (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire).

SIMPLER TIMES directed by Steve Monarque and starring Jerry Stiller (King of Queens), Amy Stiller (Tropic Thunder) and Anne Meara (Rhoda).

AUSTIN TO BOSTON directed by Marcus Haney and produced by Ben Lovett of Mumford and Sons.

THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE directed by and starring Daniel Baldwin (Vampires), along with Lou Diamond Phillips (Courage Under Fire).

For a complete schedule of screenings and special events, please visit: http://www.bigapplefilmfestival.com/

About the Big Apple Film Society
The Big Apple Film Society was established as a means of supporting and promoting independent films and filmmakers from the New York City metropolitan area. Our primary mission is to connect cinematic audiences with influential, educational and entertaining films that have been developed and produced outside of the mainstream studio system and reflect the ideals of individuals living and/or working within the New York area. Our key philosophy is that as the visual age continues to progress, media will continue to play a major role in the shaping of our society and therefore it is imperative that a multitude of voices are heard and experienced through the visual medium. As New York City is synonymous with cultural diversity, the Big Apple Film Society seeks to recognize and support films and filmmakers that focus their attention on the unique qualities of individuals of all backgrounds and ethnicities.

Press Release: Icarus Films Announces North American Distribution for 20 New Documentaries

20 NEW INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARIES SIGNED FOR NORTH AMERICAN DISTRIBUTION

October 22, 2014, New York: Icarus Films today announced its acquisition of North American distribution rights, including theatrical, non-theatrical, home entertainment, and television rights, to 20 new international documentaries from countries including Ukraine, Mexico, Germany, Britain, Russia, Iran and South Africa. Previews and interviews are available for film programmers and covering journalists.

The Absent House – Puerto Rican architect Fernando Abruna Charneco has pioneered sustainable design in the tropics for over 30 years.
Bastards: Outcast in Morocco – The BBC producer Deborah Perkin’s powerful documentary of one woman’s fight to have her daughter legitimized by the Moroccan judicial system.
Blood – A close-knit mobile Russian blood donation unit travels the remote, frozen countryside in this festival favorite by acclaimed young director Alina Rudnitskaya (I Will Forget This Day).
The Coal Miner’s Day – In Ukraine’s Buzhanska mine, hundreds of men risk their lives to mine coal with rusty old tools from the Soviet era in Gael Mocaer’s gorgeous and beautifully crafted documentary.
A Common Purpose – This powerful film investigates the “Upington 25” trial that saw twenty-five men and women from a black township tried for the murder of a local policeman.
Exile, a Myth Unearthed – A new look at history that re-shapes the Middle East conflict and Jewish history from director Ilan Ziv.
Forced Confessions – Journalist Maziar Bahari, himself imprisoned for four months, documents forced confessions in Iran.
Foucault Against Himself – The fierce intellect of the celebrated philosopher and key elements of his work are introduced in this vital film by Francois Caillat.
The Gas Weapon – Alex Shiriaieff’s clear, much-needed examination of the role natural gas and gas pipelines play in the geopolitics of Russia and Ukraine.
H2Omx – Can a mega-city mobilize its 22 million inhabitants to become water-sustainable? “Well-researched and smartly assembled.” –Variety
Hunger For Sale – Agribusiness and high-tech companies are working to invent remedies for hunger using new technological forms of nutrition. What does it mean for the fight against malnutrition?
Lomax the Songhunter – Anthropologist Alan Lomax traveled America and the world with his recording equipment, hunting for folk songs.
Miners Shot Down – One of the most significant documentaries produced in South Africa in years, Rehad Desai’s urgent documentary investigates the murder of 34 South African mineworkers during a non-violent wage strike.
The Next Big Thing – The contemporary art world is changing dramatically. How are collectors, museum directors, dealers and artists responding to transformations in the market?
Seed Battles – The Global Seed Vault, hidden deep inside a mountain in snow-covered Norway, is an attempt to collect and preserve seeds of all food crops in the world. But: to whom do the seeds belong?
To Tell the Truth Episode 1: Working for Change – A detailed history of documentary filmmaking in the US and the UK from 1929 to 1941 focused on the social movements of the times, The Great Depression, The New Deal, and the awakening of the Leftwing in the UK.
To Tell the Truth Episdoe 2: The Strategy of Truth – Examines the subsequent history of documentary filmmaking in times of war and its use as propaganda.
Vulva 3.0 – Comprehensive research into the history and biology of female anatomy.
When Memory Comes – Historian Saul Friedlander and his lifelong quest to describe the extermination of the European Jews comes to life in Frank Diamond’s poignant film.
Winter Nomads – This beautifully-photographed adventure film by Manuel von Sturler introduces Pascal and Carole, two shepards crossing Switzerland with 800 sheep.

Press Release: Shubert Organization Announces Development Agreement with Craig Zadan and Neil Meron

BROADWAY’S SHUBERT ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCES A DEVELOPMENT/PRODUCTION AGREEMENT WITH PRODUCERS CRAIG ZADAN & NEIL MERON

NEW YORK (October 23, 2014) — The Shubert Organization has signed a three-year development/production deal with producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, it was announced today by Shubert Chairman, Philip J. Smith, and Shubert President, Robert E. Wankel.

Under the agreement, Shubert will partner with Zadan and Meron in the development/production of original plays and musicals, as well as revivals.

“We’ve known and admired Craig and Neil since their early years in New York in the 1970’s. They’ve gone on to triumph in every entertainment medium,” stated Mr. Smith.

“Their film and television adaptations of the great Broadway musicals have been enjoyed by audiences around the world. We look forward to collaborating with them on many exciting projects,” stated Mr. Wankel.

“We started our careers learning from the legendary Joseph Papp,” said Zadan and Meron. “Since then, we’ve searched for a home that is forward-thinking and dedicated to excellence. We are thrilled to join with the theatre’s dynamic forces, Phil Smith and Bob Wankel at the Shubert Organization, in developing new work, even producing a revival here and there, and finding material we’re passionate about creating together.”

The Shubert Organization has been a leading force in the American theatre for over 100 years. Hundreds of Shubert productions and co-productions have been presented on Broadway and across the country, including Cats, Sunday in the Park with George, Dreamgirls, The Heidi Chronicles, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Amadeus, Children of a Lesser God, The Grapes of Wrath, Ain’t Misbehavin’, A Few Good Men, God of Carnage, Lucky Guy, Spamalot and the current production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Under the leadership of Philip J. Smith, Chairman, and Robert E. Wankel, President, the company currently owns and operates seventeen Broadway theatres.

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron’s productions have earned a total of six Academy Awards®, five Golden Globes, 13 Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, a Grammy Award, five GLAAD Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, and two Tony Awards. After successfully producing two record-breaking Academy Awards telecasts in 2013 and 2014, Zadan and Meron will be producing their third Oscar® telecast for ABC in 2015. They also produced last year’s hugely successful NBC presentation of “The Sound of Music Live!” starring Carrie Underwood. This year, they are producing the telecast of “Peter Pan Live!,” again for NBC, starring Christopher Walken and Allison Williams. On Broadway, they recently produced the Tony-winning How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette, and the Tony-winning Promises, Promises starring Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth. Other Broadway shows they have brought to the small screen include “Gypsy,” Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” “Annie,” “The Music Man,” and “A Raisin in the Sun.” For the big screen, they have produced “Hairspray” and Oscar Best Picture winner, “Chicago.”

Press Release: All US and Canadian Rights to “Dior and I” Sold

The Orchard Sews Up All US and Canadian Rights to Frédéric Tcheng’s Dior and I

Following its critically acclaimed Tribeca Film Festival premiere, “Dior and I” will be distributed by The Orchard in 2015

(New York, NY | October 23, 2014) Film & TV distributor The Orchard has acquired all rights in the U.S. and Canada to director Frédéric Tcheng’s fashion documentary Dior and I, which premiered at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival to outstanding praise. This marks the third fashion film for Tcheng, who previously co-wrote and co-directed Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel and co-produced Valentino: The Last Emperor. The documentary captures the entire process behind Raf Simons debut couture collection in his new position as Creative Director of Christian Dior Couture.

“I am extremely excited to be working with the Orchard on bringing the film to its North American audience,” said director Frédéric Tcheng. “They clearly have a passion for and understanding of the film that will translate to a successful roll-out.”

In 2012, legendary French fashion house, Christian Dior Couture, announced designer Raf Simons as its head Creative Director. Dior and I pays homage to the work of the talented Dior atelier and takes a privileged, behind-the-scenes look at the makings of Simons’ debut haute couture collection and how it returned to the origins of the house of Dior.

The film takes an intimate, vérité-style glimpse at the inner workings of the Dior atelier, capturing the entire eight-week process up until the premiere of Simons’ collection. This includes the little-seen atelier workers – the heart and soul of the fashion industry – some of whom have sewed for Dior for decades and do so with an unbridled passion. Together, they form a support system for Simons and help to create his masterpiece collection, with every line they sketch and bead they sew.

A whirlwind of creativity, stress, determination and triumph, the movie boasts mass and niche appeal.

“Dior and I is a visually and emotionally stunning film about an oft unseen part of the process in the world of high fashion,” said The Orchard’s SVP of Film & TV, Paul Davidson. “Frédéric Tcheng has crafted a documentary that, much like the elegant creations in the world of Dior, deserves to be seen.”

The film is slated for a 2015 theatrical release in the US and Canada. The deal was negotiated by Danielle DiGiacomo of The Orchard and Josh Braun of Submarine.

Press Release: “Lines of Wellington” DVD Release Announced

FILM MOVEMENT ANNOUNCES DVD RELEASE OF STAR-STUDDED HISTORICAL EPIC LINES OF WELLINGTON

US Release of Raul Ruiz’s final film includes bonus Making Of Featurette on 2-Disc set

October 22, 2014 (NY, NY) – Film Movement, the distributor of award-winning independent and foreign films, announces today that LINES OF WELLINGTON, the final film started by renowned filmmaker Raul Ruiz and completed by his widow Valeria Sarmiento, will be available to own on DVD and at all digital providers on November 25, 2014

Starring John Malkovich, Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Mathieu Amalric, Jemima West and more, this lavish epic set during The Napoleonic Wars of 1810 chronicles a multitude of characters – soldiers and civilians, men, women and children, young and old – as their everyday lives are torn apart by war. Dragged through hills and valleys, between ruined villages, and across charred forests and devastated crops, none can escape the chaos of the times, no matter their station. The idealistic young lieutenant Pedro de Alencar; Clarissa Warren, the malicious little English girl; the shady dealer Penabranca; the vindictive Sergeant Francisco Xavier; and the lusty prostitute Martirio will all follow different paths to the lines of Torres, where the final battle will decide each of their fates.

A Venice Film Festival premiere in 2012, the film went on to screen at the Toronto International Film Festival, New York Film Festival and more throughout its international run. Called “consistently impressive!” by The Playlist, the November 25 DVD and digital release date marks the first time this monumental production is available to own in the United States.

Available to own on November 25 at FilmMovement.com, Amazon.com and other retailers, this 2-disc set features a Making Of featurette and a bonus short film, TWO LAPS. The feature film will also be available to own digitally.

LINES OF WELLINGTON (2012, 151 min.) Directed by Valeria Sarmiento. Written by Carlos Saboga. Starring John Malkovich, Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Mathieu Amalric, Jemima West. Cinematography: Andre Szankowski. Editors: Luca Alverdi, Valeria Sarmiento. Producer: Paulo Branco. France, Portugal. Portugese, French and English with English subtitles. Unrated. A Film Movement release.

Press Release: Grateful Dead Announce Official Documentary for 50th Anniversary

GRATEFUL DEAD ANNOUNCE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTARY IN CELEBRATION OF 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Executive Producer Martin Scorsese And Director Amir Bar-Lev To Offer A Never Before Seen Look At One Of Rock ‘N’ Roll’s Most Fascinating And Enduring Bands

LOS ANGELES – The Grateful Dead are proud to announce their first official career-spanning documentary to coincide with the band’s 50th anniversary celebration. Award-winning documentary filmmaker Amir Bar-Lev (“Happy Valley,” “The Tillman Story”) will direct the as yet untitled documentary. Alex Blavatnik is financing through his AOMA Sunshine Films. Eric Eisner (“Hamlet 2”), Nicholas Koskoff, and Justin Kreutzmann will serve as producers. Executive Producers are Martin Scorsese, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Andrew Heller, Sanford Heller, and Rick Yorn. Longtime Grateful Dead archivist David Lemieux will serve as the film’s music supervisor.

This monumental documentary will meld a cornucopia of never before seen performance footage, vintage interviews, and other candid moments unearthed from the Grateful Dead’s vast vaults along with newly captured conversations with surviving members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir, as well as many other characters and pranksters from the Dead universe.

“Millions of stories have been told about the Grateful Dead over the years. With our 50th Anniversary coming up, we thought it might just be time to tell one ourselves and Amir is the perfect guy to help us do it. Needless to say, we are humbled to be collaborating with Martin Scorsese. From The Last Waltz to George Harrison: Living In The Material World, from Bob Dylan to the Rolling Stones, he has made some of the greatest music documentaries ever with some of our favorite artists and we are honored to have him involved. The 50th will be another monumental milestone to celebrate with our fans and we cannot wait to share this film with them,” said surviving members Hart, Kreutzmann, Lesh, and Weir in a joint statement.

“The Grateful Dead were more than just a band. They were their own planet, populated by millions of devoted fans. I’m very happy that this picture is being made and proud to be involved,” says Scorsese.

“It’s been ten years since I first set out to make a film about the Grateful Dead and I’m thrilled that it’s finally happening,” says Bar-Lev.

“I am ecstatic that this project was able to come together and look forward to finding the perfect distribution home for the film,” says Eisner.

Production entities partnering on the project are Double E Pictures, Axis Films, and Sikelia Productions, Inc.