Aussie film The Sapphires sells international distribution rights
An American film company have acquired the worldwide rights to Australian film The Sapphires.
Goalpost Films sold the rights to The Weinstein Company for North American and international distribution rights with the exception of the UK and Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, France, Canada, Israel, Portugal and airlines.
The Weinstein Company, headed up by former Miramax bosses Harvey and Bob Weinstein, has bought the film from Goalpost Films, the sales and marketing arm of production company Goalpost Pictures, which produced the film.
The announcement was made by TWC’s co-chairman Harvey Weinstein, COO David Glasser and co-SVPs of acquisitions Negeen Yazdi and Dan Guando.
Harvey Weinstein said: “These girls light up the screen as much as their music lights up the stage. We’re thrilled to bring the stories and music from these sisters to audiences all over the world.”
Blight said: “Passionate, innovative and creative marketing and distribution is what independent films require to reach an audience. The Weinstein Company is one of the most talented distributors of independent films in the world, and we are thrilled that The Sapphires is in such great hands. It is a wonderful acknowledgement of the extraordinary work of the cast and crew led so magnificently by director Wayne Blair.”
Directed by debut feature film-maker Wayne Blair and produced by Rosemary Blight and Kylie du Fresne, the film was shot by Warwick Thornton, former Camera d’Or winner at Cannes for his film Samson & Delilah.
The Sapphires is an adaptation of a musical based on real events about an Indigenous all-girl singing group from the 1960s plucked from the Outback and sent to Vietnam to entertain the American troops.
The deal has been made ahead of the film’s world premiere in official selection at the Cannes Film Festival.
Yesterday saw announcement of the Australian release date of 9 August as well as the news the film would have its Australian premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival. Yesterday also saw the first teaser of the film online as well as the theatrical poster.
The Weinstein Company also distributed Oscar winning best pictures The King’s Speech in 2011 and The Artist in 2012.
Kylie du Fresne?
User ID not verified.
Hi Wade,
Apologies, yes du Fresne, not de Fresne. Amended.
– Colin
Encore/Mumbrella