SONY PICTURES WORLDWIDE ACQUISITIONS AND SAMUEL GOLDWYN FILMS PARTNER ON SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL FAVORITE, ROBOT & FRANK

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) and Samuel Goldwyn Films are partnering on the U.S. theatrical release in addition to jointly acquiring North American rights to Park Pictures Features’ ROBOT & FRANK, the 2012 Sundance Film Festival favorite, starring Academy Award® nominee Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon), Academy Award® winner Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking), James Marsden, Liv Tyler, Golden Globe® nominee Peter Saarsgard (Shattered Glass), Jeremy Sisto and Jeremy Strong.  Additionally, SPWA has acquired all media rights for Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe including Russia.

The deal was negotiated by SPWA’s Executive Vice President of Business Affairs, Michael Helfand, and Joe Matukewicz, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions, with Peter Goldwyn, Vice President of Acquisitions, representing Samuel Goldwyn Films.  CAA and ICM’s Jessica Lacy negotiated on behalf of the filmmakers.  ICM represents Langella, Sarandon and Strong.

“We have loved this project from the script stage and were at the very first Gala screening in Salt Lake City,” Matukewicz said. “This winning film strikes a special chord with audiences, and we are delighted to bring ROBOT & FRANK into the Sony Pictures family.  Jake’s film shows us a future that is right around the corner, and I for one, can’t wait for my own Robot!”

Added Meyer Gottlieb, President of Samuel Goldwyn Films: “Our team fell in love with this clever, irreverent story anchored by Frank Langella’s indelible performance. Jake has done a remarkable job and we are thrilled to continue working with talented first time filmmakers. We look forward to partnering again with our friends at Sony on a title we know audiences will flock to in droves.”

Filmmaker Jake Schreier added, “I heard Jonathan Demme say once at a Q&A that all you can hope for is to find people who care as much about releasing your film as you did making it.  The Sony/Goldwyn guys were there from the first night in Salt Lake City and really showed that they got the movie and even connected to it personally.  I’m thrilled to be working with them on getting it out into theaters.”

Producers Galt Niederhoffer and Sam Bisbee said, “We are thrilled to have found not one but two passionate partners with Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and Samuel Goldwyn Films.”

Set in the near future, Frank (Frank Langella) a retired jewel thief gets a new lease on life when he is introduced to a surprising new companion. With the help of his new friend, he attempts to woo a local librarian (Susan Sarandon) and resume his criminal escapades.  ROBOT & FRANK is directed by first time filmmaker Jake Schreier, written by Christopher Ford (TVs “Atom TV”), and produced by Galt Niederhoffer, Sam Bisbee, Jackie Kelman Bisbee and Lance Acord.  ROBOT & FRANK is Park Pictures Features’ first film.  The film was produced in association with White Hat Entertainment and Dog Run Pictures.  Park Pictures Features is represented by John Sloss and Marc Simon

SONY PICTURES WORLDWIDE ACQUISITIONS 

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation.  SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 142 countries.  Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web athttp://www.sonypictures.com.

ABOUT SAMUEL GOLDWYN FILMS

Samuel Goldwyn Films is a major, independently owned and operated motion-picture company that develops, produces and distributes innovative feature films and documentaries.  The company is dedicated to working with both world renowned and emerging writers/filmmakers and committed to filmed entertainment that offers original voices in uniquely told stories.  This is best exemplified by the Academy Award® nominated THE SQUID AND THE WHALE and SUPER SIZE ME, AMAZING GRACE and Julie Delpy’s hit comedy 2 DAYS IN PARIS. Past Goldwyn titles include PRICELESS, a romantic comedy starring Audrey Tautou, Academy Award® winner Claude Lelouch’s ROMAN DE GARE, the critically hailed ELEGY starring Academy Award® nominee Penélope Cruz, HARRY BROWN starring Michael Caine and the box office smash FIREPROOF.  MAO’S LAST DANCER, directed by Academy Award nominee Bruce Beresford was one of the top grossing independent films of 2010. In addition to THE DOUBLE HOUR, a revered thriller that was one of the top foreign language grossers of 2011, SGF released THE WHISTLEBLOWER, a powerful, ripped from the headlines thriller starring Academy Award® winner Rachel Weisz that premiered at last year’s Toronto Film Festival. Upcoming releases include THE ISLAND PRESIDENT (March 28th), winner of this year’s Audience Award at Toronto about President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, a man confronting a problem greater than any other world leader has ever faced – the literal survival of his country and everyone in it as well as DIANA VREELAND THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL, an acclaimed documentary about the late fashion icon which premiered at this year’s Venice Film Festival.

ABOUT PARK PICTURES FEATURES

Launched in July 2011, Park Pictures Features is a feature film division of Park Pictures and is devoted to the production of high quality and entertaining films.  The company is lead by Galt Niederhoffer and Sam Bisbee. Parent company Park Pictures, formed by Jackie Kelman Bisbee and Lance Acord, is one of the most prestigious commercial production houses in the business, with offices in NY, LA and London, having won numerous Clios, AICP awards, and Cannes Lions and working regularly with blue chip corporations including Nike, Target, and Coca-Cola, most notably Lance Acord directed the beloved and widely seen “The Force” Super Bowl spot for Volkswagen.