Editor

Getting Picked Up In Park City
Films and People Hooking Up

With all the receptions, cocktails parties, sponsor parties, galas, and music concerts to be had in Park City for the Sundance Film Festival, the mingling of the singles and films hits a peak during the eleven-day event. With couples getting picked up all over Park City at these soirees there are now many by films that are now picked up by studio’s and distribution companies.

The Festival still had two days to go but the deals and relationships were still being made this year at Sundance. With such an exciting crowd of new films to come along it is no wonder that studio’s are making meetings happen and closing the deals in this lively ski town.

The most interesting contracted signed was a first time joint venture with Miramax and Fox Serchlight for Scrubs star Zach Braff’s GARDEN STATE. It is reportedly a multi million dollars deal where it is an unprecedented dual acquisition for worldwide rights, with both Miramax and Fox sharing worldwide revenues. As of this time it is unclear as to how it will be determined which company will handle the territories. With a solid script and strong supporting cast of Natalie Portman, Jean Smart, Peter Sarsgaad, Ian Holm and staring Zach Braff who is also the writer/director. It was executive produced by Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher.

Lions Gate is pleased with the ocean thriller OPEN WATER and accquicered worldwide rights. Based on a true story, written and directed by Chris Kentis it tales the story of a young scuba diving married couple who are accidentally left to survive in shark infested waters. Lions Gate is looking at a summer release for this chilling thriller. It looks like we’ll have many people sitting on the shoreline this year, as it was when JAWS was first released.

Sony Classics is venturing on the follow-up to Stacey Peralta’s DOGTOWN AND ZBOYS, which was a Sundance Audience Award winner two years ago. Peralta’s new film which was the first documentary to ever open up at Sundance is RIDING GIANTS a tribute the big wave riders and the historical event that leads us to the larger than life surfers who dare to tear down 50 foot walls of water. Written by Sam George editor of the oldest surfing magazine publication Surfer Magazine and Stacey Peralta, the first skateboarder to have lucrative sponsorship, Paul Crowder beautifully edits it, this will sure to be another summer crowd pleaser.

THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES shot in Argentina, Peru Chile and Cuba tells the tale of two friends who have a quest to travel across South America to a Leper Colony on a 500 Norton Motorcycle. Based on a true story journey of Ernesto Guevara and Alberto Granado set in 1952 as they venture to find themselves and see the country. This film was picked up the first weekend by Focus Features and had Robert Redford on board, as it’s executive producer.

Warner Independent was hot on the tracks for $2 Million on the film WE DON’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE. IFC Films signed up the rights to the documentry CSA: THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA. Others signed in acquisitions are TOUCH OF PINK for Sony Picture Classis, as well as SUPER SIZE ME, THE WOODSMAN and
NOVEMBER details of distribution not known at this time.

So with so many hookups for films let’s wish all the others best wishes on their developments of relationships and we’ll plan on seeing you at the next soiree at the Sundance Film Festival. Sundance will continue till January 25th, 2004 for more information logo on to their website at www.sundancefilmfestival.org