Movies Sold At Sundance 2016: A Complete & Updated Guide
These are the movies sold at Sundance 2016. Many of the films that premiere at the Sundance Film Festival are hoping to attract a distributor and find a bigger 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 2016. This list should help give you an idea about which movies may someday be available to you either theatrically of VOD. We’re including photo stills from each of the films along with all of the relevant information (director, cast, how much it sold for, the plot synopsis and more). Hit the jump to find out which movies sold at Sundance 2016.
Latest update: Netflix grabs SVOD rights toBelgica(fromBroken Circle Breakdowndirector Felix van Groeningen) andWhite Girl(starringHomeland’s Morgan Saylor); Amazon Prime picks upNUTS!, a documentary about the stranger-than-fiction story of John Romulus Brinkley.Previous update: Miramax/Roadshow acquire Obama love storySouthside With You, Magnet buys horror filmThe Eyes of My Mother.
Movies Sold At Sundance 2016 Distributor Breakdown
These Movies Sold at Sundance 2016
We will be updating this post with 2016 Sundance Film Festival acquisitions throughout the festival. The post is organized from newest to oldest, with the latest acquisitions on the top.
Acquired:February 17By: NetflixPurchase Price:Director: Felix van GroeningenStarring: Stef Aerts, Tom Vermeir, Charlotte Vandermeersch, Hélène DevosOther Info: Global exclusive SVOD rightsPlot Synopsis:
Writer/director Felix van Groeningen (who directed the Academy Award–nominated Broken Circle Breakdown) bathes the screen in golden hues and kinetic energy, creating an immersive experience of the excess and euphoria of being in the hottest nightclub in town. Set to the eclectic sounds of acclaimed Belgian band Soulwax, this precisely crafted, fast-paced tale shows the brothers' intoxicating ascent to success—and the crash and burn that follows. Belgica is about living in the moment and realizing that moving forward is not only inevitable but necessary.
White Girl
Acquired:February 17By: NetflixPurchase Price:Director: Elizabeth WoodStarring: Morgan Saylor, Brian ‘Sene’ Marc, Justin Bartha, Chris Noth, India Menuez, Adrian MartinezOther Info: SVOD only — theatrical distributor TBDPlot Synopsis:
Shot with a sharp eye for New York City, White Girl thrashes through an increasingly high-stakes game of hedonism where unspoken socio-economic tensions coupled with a blatant disregard for consequence converge into a shocking commentary on today’s youth culture. Saylor and Wood are forces to be reckoned with, unleashing a torrent of vulnerability and confidence that will leave audiences enticed and unsettled.
Acquired:February 17By: AmazonPurchase Price:Director: Penny LaneStarring: Pope Brock, Gene Fowler, James Reardon, Megan Seaholm, Gene Tognacci, Thom StylinskiOther Info: SVOD only — theatrical distributor TBDPlot Synopsis:
Utilizing hilariously cheeky animation and the writings of Brinkley himself (whose dubious memoir provides the narration for this true story), filmmaker Penny Lane injects her audacious tale with humor and empathy. We’re reminded that our love of (and need for) compelling narratives is exactly what makes us so endlessly susceptible to being conned. But don’t be fooled here; Penny Lane is the real deal.
The Eyes Of My Mother
Acquired:February 12By: MagnetPurchase Price: n/aDirector: Nicolas PesceStarring:Kika Magalhães, Will Brill, Paul Nazak, Flora Diaz, Clara Wong, Diana AgostiniOther Info: Worldwide rightsPlot Synopsis:
Southside With You
Acquired:February 12By: Miramax/RoadsidePurchase Price: n/aDirector: Richard TanneStarring:Tika Sumpter and Parker Sawyers star as Michelle and BarackOther Info: North American rightsPlot Synopsis:
Acquired: February 4By: The OrchardPurchase Price:Director: Antonio CamposStarring:Rebecca Hall, Michael C. Hall, Maria Dizzia, Tracy Letts, J. Smith-CameronOther Info:Plot Synopsis:
Life, Animated
Acquired:February 3By: The OrchardPurchase Price:Director: Roger Ross WilliamsStarring:Owen Suskind, Ron SuskindOther Info:Read our review here.Plot Synopsis:
Life, Animatedtells the remarkable story of how Owen found in Disney animation a pathway to language and a framework for making sense of the world. By evocatively interweaving classic Disney sequences with verite scenes from Owen’s life, the film explores how identification and empathy with characters like Simba, Jafar, and Ariel forge a conduit for him to understand his feelings and interpret reality. Beautiful, original animations further give form to Owen’s fruitful dialogue with the Disney oeuvre as he imagines himself heroically facing adversity in a tribe of sidekicks. With an arsenal of narratives at his disposal, Owen rises to meet the challenges of adulthood in this moving coming-of-age tale.
The Hollars
Acquired:January 29By: Sony ClassicsPurchase Price:Director: John KrasinskiStarring:Krasinski, Margo Martindale, Richard Jenkins, Sharlto Copley, Anna Kendrick, Charlie Day, Josh Groban, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Randall Park.Other Info: Sony Pictures Classics acquired all rights in the U.S. and Asia.Read our review here.Plot Synopsis:
The Eagle Huntress
Acquired:February 1stBy: Sony Pictures ClassicsPurchase Price: mid-seven-figure deal that includes select international territories including Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Germany, Scandinavia and Asia.Director: Otto BellStarring:Other Info: One of the best reviewed documentaries at the festival. Star Wars star Daisy Ridley came on board as executive producer.Plot Synopsis:
Frank And Lola
Acquired:January 29By: UniversalPurchase Price: Universal has made a deal for most of the world for a minimum guarantee north of $2 millionDirector: Matthew M. RossStarring:Imogen Poots, Michael Shannon, Justin Long, Michael Nyqvist, Emmanuelle Devos and Rosanna Arquette.Other Info:Plot Synopsis:
The Lovers and the Despot
Acquired:January 29By: MagnoliaPurchase Price: n/aDirector: Robert Cannan and Ross AdamStarring:Other Info: Part of the World Documentary competition.All international rights are available through Magnolia International.Plot Synopsis:
Swiss Army Man
Acquired:January 29By: A24Purchase Price: n/aDirector: Daniel Scheinert and Daniel KwanStarring:Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, Mary Elizabeth WinsteadOther Info: The film premiered Jan. 22 in the U.S. Dramatic section.Read our review here.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 29By: MTV/Paramount PicturesPurchase Price: just south of $3 million.Director: Andrew NeelStarring:Virginia Gardner, Danny Flaherty, Austin Lyon and Nick JonasOther Info: Screened in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section.Plot Synopsis:
LO AND BEHOLD: Reveries Of The Connected World
Acquired: January 28By: Magnolia PicturesPurchase Price: n/aDirector: Werner HerzogStarring:Other Info:Plot Synopsis:
Audrie & Daisy
Acquired:January 27By: NetflixPurchase Price: n/aDirector: Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk (“The Island President”)Starring:Other Info: all rightsPlot Synopsis:
Brahman Naman
Acquired:January 27By: NetflixPurchase Price: low seven-figure rangeDirector: Q.Starring:Shashank Arora, Tanmay Dhanania, Sid Mallya, Vaiswath Shankar, Chaitanya Varad, Sindhu Sreenivasa MurthyOther Info: worldwide streaming rightsPlot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 28By: Blumhouse and WWE FilmsPurchase Price: deal was north of $1 millionDirector: JD DillardStarring:Jacob Latimore, Dulé Hill and Seychelle GabrielOther Info: the plan is for a 1,000-screen release.Read our Sleight review here.Plot Synopsis:
The Intervention
Acquired:January 28By: Paramount PicturesPurchase Price: deal was pegged at just north of $2 millionDirector: Clea DuVall (veteran actress best known for roles in ‘Argo’ and HBO’s ‘Carnivale makes her feature directing debut)Starring:Melanie Lynskey, Clea DuVall, Cobie Smulders, Alia Shawkat, Natasha Lyonne and Ben SchwartzOther Info:Plot Synopsis:
Hunt For The Wilderpeople
Acquired:January 26By: The OrchardPurchase Price: $2 millionDirector: Taika WaititiStarring:Julian Dennison, Sam Neill, Rima Te Miata, Rachel House, Oscar KightleyOther Info: a theatrical release commitment for around 100 markets.Plot Synopsis:
Wiener-Dog
Acquired:January 26By: AmazonPurchase Price: low seven figure rangeDirector: Todd SolondzStarring:Kieran Culkin, Danny DeVito, Greta Gerwig, Zosia Mamet, Julie Delpy and Ellen BurstynOther Info: Amazon is committed to a significant theatrical release.Plot Synopsis:
The Birth Of A Nation
Acquired:January 26By: Fox SearchlightPurchase Price: $17.5 million, a Sundance recordDirector: Nate ParkerStarring:Armie Hammer, Jackie Earle Haley, Gabrielle Union, Penelope Ann Miller, Mark Boone Junior, and Aja Naomi King.Other Info:Plot Synopsis:
Indignation
Acquired:January 25By: Lionsgate’s Summit EntertainmentPurchase Price:upward of $2.5 million for North American rightsDirector: James SchamusStarring:Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon, Tracy Letts, Linda Emond, Danny Burstein and Ben RosenfieldOther Info:International rights information here.Read our review here.Plot Synopsis:
Academy Award–nominated screenwriter and independent film stalwart James Schamus makes his feature directorial debut with this exquisite period portrait of a young man at a crossroads. Adapting Philip Roth’s novel with warmth and faithfulness, Schamus elicits support from a universally top-of-their-game cast, highlighted by a blistering turn by Logan Lerman as the idealistic, increasingly indignant Marcus.
Author: The JT Leroy Story
Acquired:January 23By: AmazonPurchase Price: n/aDirector: Jeff FeuerzeigStarring:Other Info:Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 25By: Sony ClassicsPurchase Price:Director: Meera MenonStarring:Anna Gunn, James Purefoy, Sarah Megan Thomas, Alysia Reiner.Other Info: Sony Pictures Classics acquired worldwide rights.Plot Synopsis:
Meera Menon’s suspenseful sophomore feature tackles head-on the power structure of Wall Street in the post-financial crisis through the female lens of women fighting for survival in the race to the top. Ambitious and deftly directed, Menon gives us the first female-focused Wall Street drama and proves herself to be a director to watch.
Morris From America
Acquired:January 24By: A24 (US Rights)Purchase Price: n/aDirector: Chad HartiganStarring:Craig Robinson, Carla Juri, Lina Keller, Markees Christmas, Jakub Gierszal, Levin Henning, Patrick Güldenberg, and Eva Löbau. Martin Heisler, Sara Murphy, Adele RomanskiOther Info:Read our movie review here.Plot Synopsis:
Manchester By The Sea
Acquired:January 24By: AmazonPurchase Price: near $10 millionDirector: Kenneth LonerganStarring:Casey Affleck, Kyle Chandler and Michelle WilliamsOther Info:Plot Synopsis:
Eat That Question - Frank Zappa in His Own Words
Acquired:January 23By: Sony Pictures ClassicsPurchase Price:Director: Thorsten SchütteStarring:Other Info:Plot Synopsis:
Thorsten Schütte’s film is a sharply edited and energetic celebration of Zappa through his public persona, allowing us to witness his shifting relationship with audiences. Utilizing potent TV interviews and many forgotten performances from his 30-year career, we are immersed into the musician’s world while experiencing two distinct facets of his complex character. At once Zappa was both a charismatic composer who reveled in the joy of performing and, in the next moment, a fiercely intelligent and brutally honest interviewee whose convictions only got stronger as his career ascended.
Zappa was uncompromising as he led the charge against music censorship in the ’90s and even went on to embrace the role of quasi-cultural ambassador in the Czech Republic. His music and ideas are vital, and they cut across generations, while his goal of freeing the listener from conformity still resonates today.
Resilience
Acquired: January 22By: Brainstorm MediaPurchase Price: n/aDirector: James RedfordStarring:Other Info:Brainstorm Media simultaneously picked up RESILIENCE’s companion film and predecessor, PAPER TIGERS, for DVD and Digital release in North America.Plot Synopsis:
Love & Friendship
Acquired:January 21By: Amazon Studios and Roadside AttractionsPurchase Price: Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.Director: Whit StillmanStarring:Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Xavier Samuel, Emma Greenwell, Tom Bennett, Stephen FryOther Info:Amazon acquired North American rights to the pic last summer. The movie will now get an exclusive theatrical window before becoming available on Amazon’s subscription streaming service.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 12th(pre-fest)By: Netflix (Subscription VOD rights only)Purchase Price: Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but insiders pegged the price as being in the mid-seven figures.Director: Sian Heder (WGA-nominated writer and producer forOrange Is the New Black)Starring:Ellen Page, Allison Janney, Tammy Blanchard, Evan Jonigkeit, Uzo AdubaOther Info:Theatrical rights still open.Plot Synopsis:
Fundamentals of Caring
Acquired:January 15th(pre-fest)By: Netflix (Worldwide Subscription VOD rights only)Purchase Price: The deal is pegged at nearly $7 millionDirector: Rob Burnett (former producer of The Late Show With David Letterman)Starring: Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Ehle, Megan Ferguson, Frederick WellerOther Info:The movie will premiere as the fest’s Closing-Night Film. Theatrical rights still open.Plot Synopsis:
Complete Unknown
Acquired:January 19th(pre-fest)By: Amazon (US rights)Purchase Price: N/ADirector: Joshua Marston (Maria Full of Grace)Starring: Rachel Weisz, Michael Shannon, Kathy Bates, Danny Glover, Michael ChernusOther Info:Plot Synopsis:
Under The Shadow
Acquired:January 21st(pre-fest)By: Netflix (VOD)Purchase Price: N/ADirector: first-time filmmaker Babak AnvarStarring: Narges Rashid, Avin Manshadi, Bobby Naderi, Ray Haratian, Arash MarandiOther Info:The movie will premiere as part of the Midnight program. It is set to debut globally on Netflix later this year, shortly after a theatrical or alternative-platform release. The film’s theatrical rights have yet to be acquired.Plot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 19th(pre-fest)By: Oscilloscope LaboratoriesPurchase Price: N/ADirector: Anna Rose HolmerStarring: Royalty Hightower, Makyla Burnam, Inayah RodgersOther Info:Part of the NEXT Competition.Plot Synopsis:
Sand Storm
Acquired:January 11th(pre-fest)By: Beta CinemaPurchase Price: N/ADirector: Elite Zexer (first time director)Starring:Lamis Ammar, Ruba Blal-Asfour, Haytham Omari, Khadija Alakel, Jalal MasarwaOther Info:Arabic-language film, set to world premiere in the World Cinema Dramatic CompetitionPlot Synopsis:
Acquired:January 14th(pre-fest)By: IFC and ShowtimePurchase Price: N/ADirector: Josh Kriegman & Elyse SteinbergStarring: Anthony WeinerOther Info:The buzz worthy doc will premiere on January 24th at the fest as part of the U.S. Documentary Competition. The film will go out through IFC’s Sundance Selects label and be released on May 20, and will later make its worldwide TV debut in the fall on Showtime.Plot Synopsis:
