Movies Sold At Sundance 2017: A Complete & Updated Guide
A lot of films that premiere at the Sundance Film Festival are hoping to attract a distributor and find a wider audience, be it in theaters around the country or distributed through digital VOD. Throughout the festival, we will be reporting on all of the movies sold at Sundance 2017. This list should help give you an idea about which movies may someday be available to you either theatrically of VOD. These are the movies sold at Sundance 2017.
Latest update: IFC Films and Sony Pictures acquiresBand Aid, Magnolia buys Fergeson documentaryWhose Streets?.Previous update: The Orchard and CNN Films acquire the endangered animal hunting documentaryTrophy, A24 lands father/son dramaMenashe, and The Orchard acquires the US documentary grand jury prize winnerDina.
Movies Sold At Sundance 2017 Distributor Breakdown
Netflix:Casting JonBenet, Berlin Syndrome(streaming),Chasing Coral, Fun Mom Dinner, The Incredible Jessica James, Nobody Speak: Hulk Hogan, Gawker and Trials of a Free Press, Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower, Icarus,To The Bone, Mudbound
These Movies Sold at Sundance 2017
We will be updating this post with 2017 Sundance Film Festival acquisitions throughout the festival. The post is organized from newest to oldest, with the latest acquisitions on the top.
Whose Streets?
Acquired:February 7By: MagnoliaPurchase Price: n/aDirector: Sabaah Folayan and Damon DavisOther Info: North American rights. Magnolia plans a summer theatrical release to coincide with the anniversary of Mike Brown’s murder.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired: Februry 3By: IFC Films and Sony PicturesPurchase Price: n/aDirector: Zoe Lister-JonesStarring: Zoe Lister-Jones, Adam Pally, Fred Armisen, Susie Essman, Hannah Simone, Ravi PatelOther Info: IFC Films has acquired all North American rights. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) picked-up all rights to the film outside of North America.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:February 1By: The OrchardPurchase Price: n/aDirector:Dan Sickles and Antonio SantiniOther Info: North American rights. Film won the U.S. Documentary Grand Jury Prize. Orchard is planning a fall release.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 31By: A24Purchase Price: n/aDirector: Joshua Z. WeinsteinStarring: Menashe LustigOther Info: A24’s first acquisition of a foreign language film.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 20By: The Orchard and CNN FilmsPurchase Price: near $2 millionDirector: Shaul Schwarz and Christina ClusiauOther Info: The Orchard will handle all North American rights, and CNN gets broadcast rights. International rights still are being brokered.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:February 1By: NetflixPurchase Price: $12.5 millionDirector: Dee Rees (Pariah)Starring: Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke, Jason Mitchell, Mary J. Blige, Rob Morgan, Garrett Hedlund, and Jonathan BanksOther Info: For U.S. rights and select other territories. Read Angie Han’sMudbound review.Plot Synopsis:
Beach Rats
Acquired:January 28By: NeonPurchase Price: n/aDirector: Eliza HittmanStarring: Harris Dickinson, Madeline Weinstein, Kate HodgeOther Info: Won the festival’s directing award in the U.S. Dramatic competition at the annual award ceremony.Plot Synopsis:
Roxanne Roxanne
Acquired:January 29By: NeonPurchase Price: nearly $3 millionDirector: Michael Larnell (Cronies)Starring:Chanté Adams,Mahershala Ali,Nia Long,Elvis Nolasco,Kevin Phillips,Shenell EdmondsOther Info: Neon won a bidding war between Amazon, Lionsgate and Miramax.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 27By: IFC MidnightPurchase Price: at least $1 millionDirector: Alexandre O. PhilippeOther Info: RLJ Entertainment’s recent feature films include “Bone Tomahawk,” starring Kurt Russell; Jackie Earle Haley’s “Criminal Activities” with John Travolta, Michael Pitt, and Dan Stevens; “The Cobbler” toplined by Adam Sandler and Steve Buscemi; and “Nina,” starring Zoe Saldana and David Oyelowo.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 27By: RLJ EntertainmentPurchase Price: at least $1 millionDirector: Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott (Cooties)Starring: Dave Bautista, Brittany Snow, Angelic Zambrana, Jeremie Harris, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Arturo CastroOther Info: RLJ Entertainment’s recent feature films include “Bone Tomahawk,” starring Kurt Russell; Jackie Earle Haley’s “Criminal Activities” with John Travolta, Michael Pitt, and Dan Stevens; “The Cobbler” toplined by Adam Sandler and Steve Buscemi; and “Nina,” starring Zoe Saldana and David Oyelowo.Plot Synopsis:
Beatriz At Dinner
Acquired:January 27By: Roadside & FilmNationPurchase Price: n/aDirector: Miguel Arteta (Star Maps, Chuck & Buck, and The Good Girl)Starring: Salma Hayek, John LithgowOther Info: North American Rights.Read our review here.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 25By: FilmRisePurchase Price: n/aDirector: Amman AbbasiStarring: Devin Blackmon, Kordell “KD” Johnson, Dontrell Bright, Chasity Moore, Lachion Buckingham, Marquell ManningOther Info: North American Rights. FilmRise is setting the film for theatrical release slated in late SpringPlot Synopsis:
The Little Hours
Acquired:January 26By: Gunpowder and SkyPurchase Price: low-seven figuresDirector: Jeff Baena (Life After Beth)Starring: Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Kate Micucci, Aubrey Plaza, John C. Reilly and Molly ShannonOther Info:Plot Synopsis:
Crown Heights
Acquired:January 27By: AmazonPurchase Price: just over $2 millionDirector: Matt RuskinStarring: Lakeith Stanfield, Nnamdi Asomugha, Natalie Paul, Bill Camp, Nestor Carbonell, Amari CheatomOther Info: It will receive a theatrical release.Plot Synopsis:
City Of Ghosts
Acquired:January 26By: AmazonPurchase Price: north of $2 millionDirector: Matthew Heineman (Cartel Land)Other Info:Plot Synopsis:
Brigsby Bear
Acquired:January 26By: Sony Pictures ClassicsPurchase Price: $5 millionDirector: Dave McCaryStarring: Kyle Mooney, Claire Danes, Mark Hamill, Greg Kinnear, Matt Walsh, Michaela WatkinsOther Info: The film will be released Summer 2017.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 25By: AmazonPurchase Price: $3 millionDirector:Gillian Robespierre (Obvious Child)Starring: Jenny Slate, John Turturro, Edie Falco, Abby Quinn, Jay Duplass, Finn WittrockOther Info:Plot Synopsis:
PATTI CAKE$
Acquired:January 24By: Fox SearchlightPurchase Price: $10.5 millionDirector:Geremy Jasper’s debut featureStarring: Danielle Macdonald, Bridget Everett, Siddharth Dhananjay, Mamoudou Athie, Cathy MoriartyOther Info: Annapurna Pictures, The Orchard, Amazon, Neon and Lionsgate were also among the distributors who had pursued the film. That deal covered worldwide rights.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 24By: Fox SearchlightPurchase Price: More than $4 millionDirector:Amanda LipitzOther Info: Fox Searchlight doesn’t do a lot of documentaries but will give this a major theatrical release, which is said to be why they won the bid.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 24By: Kino LorberPurchase Price: n/aDirector: feature debut for Singaporean writer-director Kirsten TanStarring: Thaneth Warakulnukroh, Penpak Sirikul, BongOther Info: Plan is to release the movie in North American theaters this summer, with a VOD and physical media release later in the year.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 24By: NetflixPurchase Price: $5 million (one of the biggest ever for a non-fiction film)Director: Bryan FogelOther Info: After it screened at the festival, there were several interested studios circling the project including Sony Pictures Classics, Neon, Magnolia, and Amazon.Plot Synopsis:
Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower
Acquired:January 23By: NetflixPurchase Price: n/aDirector:Joe PiscatellaOther Info: Movie will launch globally later this year simultaneously on Netflix in 190 countries.Plot Synopsis:
To The Bone
Acquired:January 24By: NetflixPurchase Price: $8 millionDirector:TV veteran Marti Noxon’s directorial filmStarring: Lily Collins, Keanu Reeves, Carrie Preston, Lili Taylor, Alex Sharp, Liana LiberatoOther Info:Plot Synopsis:
Nobody Speak: Hulk Hogan, Gawker and Trials of a Free Press
Acquired:January 23By: NetflixPurchase Price: n/aDirector:Brian KnappenbergerOther Info: Acquired worldwide rights before it’s festival premiere.Plot Synopsis:
The Incredible Jessica James
Acquired:January 23By: NetflixPurchase Price: n/aDirector:James Strouse (Grace Is Gone, The Winning Season, and People Places Things)Other Info: Acquired before it’s festival premiere.Plot Synopsis:
Fun Mom Dinner
Acquired:January 19By: NetflixPurchase Price: near $5 millionDirector:Alethea JonesStarring: Katie Aselton, Toni Collette, Bridget Everett, Molly Shannon, Adam Scott, Adam LevineOther Info: eOne’s Momentum Pictures has closed North American theatrical distribution and Netflix got multi-territory SVOD rightsPlot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 22By: The OrchardPurchase Price: n/aDirector:Brett Haley (I’ll See You In My Dreams)Starring: Sam Elliott, Laura Prepon, Krysten Ritter, Nick Offerman, Katharine RossOther Info: Includes all North American distribution rights. The Orchard plans a wide release for the film this fall.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 22By: Sony Pictures ClassicsPurchase Price:mid-seven figure range.Director: narrative feature directorial debut of Maggie BettsStarring: Margaret Qualley, Melissa Leo, Julianne Nicholson, Dianna Agron, Morgan SaylorOther Info:Plot Synopsis:
Thoroughbred
Acquired:January 22By: Focus FeaturesPurchase Price: around $5 millionDirector: Cory FinleyStarring: Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin, Paul Sparks, Francie Swift, Kaili VernoffOther Info:Plot Synopsis:
Ingrid Goes West
Acquired:January 22By: Neon (Alamo Drafthouse creator Tim League’s company that distributed Colossal and Where To Invade Next)Purchase Price: n/aDirector: Matt SpicerStarring: Aubrey Plaza, Elizabeth Olsen, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Wyatt Russell, Billy MagnussenOther Info: Neon won North American distribution rights. A24 and Netflix were both reportedly trying to get the film. This is one of our favorite films so far from this year’s festival. Read ourIngrid Goes West reviewhere.Plot Synopsis:
The Big Sick
Acquired:January 22By: AmazonPurchase Price: $12 milionDirector: Michael Showalter (Hello My Name is Doris)Starring: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano, Bo Burnham, Aidy Bryant, and Kurt BraunohlerOther Info: This is one of our favorite films of the festival so far.Read our The Big Sick review here. Film sparked interest from Sony, Focus Features and Netflix. Bids were presented on Saturday with negotiations for North American rights and other foreign territories stretched into midnight on Saturday. Nanjiani wanted a theatrical releasePlot Synopsis:
Chasing Coral
Acquired: January 21By: NetflixPurchase Price: n/aDirector: Jeff Orlowski (Chasing Ice)Other Info: A release is planned for later this year.Plot Synopsis:
An Inconvenient Sequel
Acquired:January 19By: ParamountPurchase Price: n/aDirector: Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk (Audrie & Daisy)Other Info: Will hit theaters on July 28th 2017 in wide release.Plot Synopsis:
Long Strange Trip
Acquired: January 18By: AmazonPurchase Price: n/aDirector: Amir Bar-Lev (The Tillman Story)Other Info: Executive produced by Martin Scorsese. Set to debut May 26 on Amazon Prime Video in the US and UK as a six part documentary, with additional territories to be announced.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 16By: A24Purchase Price: N/aDirector: Jonathan Minard and Scott RashapOther Info: 14-minute short film in Japanese with English subtitles,teased crypticallyby A24.Plot Synopsis:
Berlin Syndrome
Acquired:January 13By: Vertical & NetflixPurchase Price: low- to mid-seven figuresDirector: Cate Shortland (Lore,Somersault)Starring: Teresa Palmer, Max RiemeltOther Info: Acquired pre-fest. Netflix will get all rights including streaming after Vertical distributes the film theatrically.Plot Synopsis:
Motherland
Acquired:January 9By: Dogwoof (UK Distributor)Purchase Price:Director: Ramona DiazOther Info: The deal was negotiated between Dogwoof and Diaz with the distributor handling world sales across all platforms.Plot Synopsis:
A Ghost Story
Acquired:January 8By: A24Purchase Price: N/ADirector: David Lowery (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Pete’s Dragon)Starring: Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, Will Oldham, Sonia Acevedo, Rob Zabrecky, Liz FrankeOther Info: A24 reportedly had such confidence in the film, they bought it sight unseen.Plot Synopsis:
Call Me By Your Name
Acquired:January 6By: Sony Pictures ClassicsPurchase Price:Director: Luca Guadagnino (I Am Love)Starring: Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg, Amira Casar, Esther Garrel, Victoire Du BoisOther Info: SPC acquired worldwide rights in advance of the festival.Plot Synopsis:
Casting JonBenet
Acquired:January 4By: NetflixPurchase Price:Director: Kitty Green (Ukraine is Not a Brothel, The Face of Ukraine: Casting Oksana Baiul, which premiered at Sundance in 2015 where it won short film non-fiction jury prize)Other Info: The film will launch on Netflix and in limited theatrical release in Spring of 2017. The doc will have its world premiere in the US Documentary Competition; the first time a nonfiction work from the company will compete.Plot Synopsis:
