We break down all the big deals at the Sundance Film Festival, including Amazon's record-setting buying spree
A24 — "The Farewell" ($6 million)
A24 — "The Souvenir" (Sold for undisclosed amount)
A24 grabbed the North American rights before the fest and during the fest took the rights to a sequel. It marks the breakout performance of Tilda Swinton's daughter, Honor Swinton-Byrne, who plays a film student who falls for a heroin addict.
Amazon — "Brittany Runs a Marathon" ($14 million)
Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke was reportedly so taken by the movie that she was directly involved in negotiating the buy. Jillian Bell stars as a hard-partying New Yorker who tries to turn a new leaf by dedicating herself to run a marathon.
[Source]
Amazon — "Late Night" ($13 million)
It's the biggest domestic rights buy ever at Sundance. The movie explores the behind-the-scenes world of a late-night show and the relationship between a newly hired writer (Mindy Kaling) and the show's host (Emma Thompson).
[Source]
Amazon — "The Report" ($14 million)
Amazon grabbed the highly sought-after title that is already garnering buzz for next year's award season. Adam Driver plays a Senate staffer preparing a report that looks into "enhanced interrogation techniques" by spy agencies.
[Source]
Apple — "Hala" (Undisclosed amount)
Marking the first-ever Sundance acquisition for Apple, Jada Pinkett Smith executive produces this look at a teenage girl (played by "Blockers" star Geraldine Viswanathan) navigating her Muslim family with modern high-school life.
Netflix — "Delhi Crime Story" (Undisclosed amount)
Netflix bought the worldwide rights to this police procedural Indian anthology series before its fest premiere. It plans to launch it on March 22.
[Source]
IFC Films — "The Nightingale" (Undisclosed amount)
The anticipated follow-up to Jennifer Kent's "The Babadook," IFC nabbed the movie before the fest. It will have a summer release. The movie is set in 1820s Tasmania and follows an Irish convict who goes on a mission to avenge a crime perpetrated by her abusive master.
Neon & Hulu — "Little Monsters" (Mid-seven figures)
This one had all the buyers going nuts. Neon and Hulu came out on top for this genre movie that stars Lupita Nyong'o and is being described as "Zombieland" meets "Kindergarten Cop."
[Source]
Neon — "The Lodge" ($2 million)
This thriller seems perfect for Neon. It follows the events that happen when kids and their soon-to-be stepmother are snowed in and some interesting things about the woman are revealed.
[Source]
Neon — "Monos" (Undisclosed amount)
Another twisted movie, this one centers on a group of Latin American rebels and their American hostage.
Neon — "Luce" (Undisclosed amount)
Neon grabbed domestic rights on this one. Naomi Watts and Tim Roth star in this psychological drama.
Showtime — "Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men" (Undisclosed amount)
Showtime bought the four-part documentary before its premiere at the festival. It will be an in-depth look at the legendary rap group.
HBO Films — "Native Son" (Undisclosed amount)
Originally to be released by A24, HBO Films is now taking the project. It is the debut feature film of renowned visual artist Rashid Johnson.
HBO Films — "Share" (Undisclosed amount)
A24 handed off this movie to HBO, too. The drama follows a teenage girl who seems to be sexually assaulted in a cellphone video.
Sony Pictures Classics — "David Crosby: Remember My Name" (Low seven figures)
Sony Classics won out the North American rights to this documentary on the legendary musician.
[Source]
Sony Pictures Classics — "Where's My Roy Cohn" (Undisclosed amount)
It's not often at Sundance that Sony Classics buys a documentary, and this year it went home with two! The movie looks at the infamous attorney known for representing everyone from Catholic church leaders to mobsters over his career.
Advertisement