Tribeca Film Acquires North American Rights To BOOKER’S PLACE: A MISSISSIPPI STORY; 4 Films To See Video-On-Demand Release

Tribeca Film will release THE GIANT MECHANICAL MAN, DEATH OF A SUPERHERO, and SLEEPLESS NIGHT nationwide via video-on-demand during the Tribeca Film Festival, which runs April 18–29. The films are each an official selection of the Festival and feature notable actors such as Jenna Fischer, Topher Grace, Malin Akerman, Tomer Sisley, Andy Serkis and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.

Tribeca Film also announced it has acquired North American rights to BOOKER’S PLACE: A MISSISSIPPI STORY, rounding out its selection of titles to be released during the Festival. BOOKER’S PLACE is a riveting documentary offering a wholly original perspective on the Civil Rights struggle through its subject, Booker Wright. The film is directed by Raymond De Felitta and produced by eyepatch productions, the independent in-house production company of Ogilvy & Mather, New York. The deal was negotiated by Nick Savva, Director of Acquisitions for Tribeca Film, and Steven Beer of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, on behalf of filmmakers De Felitta and producing partner David Zellerford, who teamed up with co-Producer Yvette Johnson, Booker Wright’s granddaughter.

From April 17 through June 19, THE GIANT MECHANICAL MAN, DEATH OF A SUPERHERO and SLEEPLESS NIGHT will be available in more than 40 million homes via cable, telco and satellite systems. BOOKER’S PLACE will begin its VOD run on April 26. Additionally, these films will be available online via digital VOD services such as iTunes, Amazon Watch Instantly, Vudu and Samsung Media Hub, a new distribution partner of Tribeca Film. Tribeca Film will also begin to roll out these films theatrically, starting with BOOKER’S PLACE on April 25 and THE GIANT MECHANICAL MAN on April 27.

“Tribeca Film was founded as a distribution platform to help filmmakers find audiences and, equally important, audiences find films utilizing new connections and strategies,” said Geoff Gilmore. “To that end, we are pleased to support these four features. They embody the exceptional artistry and personal resonance that filmmaking at its finest can provide, and we are proud to be able to share these films with audiences across the country.”

“There is an undeniable intensity and intelligence propelling Collaborator, which is a trademark of Martin Donovan’s work,” said Geoff Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises. “The energy builds scene by scene on the strength of terrific acting by the great ensemble cast led by Martin and David Morse. We are delighted to be introducing this accomplished work to wider audiences through Tribeca Film.”

“The film is a tragi-comedy about America’s obsession with celebrity, violence and the class/cultural divide tossed into the pressure cooker of a hostage drama. David Morse and Olivia Williams embraced the humor and intensity of the piece and filled out the roles of Gus and Emma better than I could have ever dreamed,” said Donovan. “I’m thrilled to have Tribeca Film bringing Collaborator to American audiences. They’re on the cutting edge of 21st century film distribution and have both the resources and sensibility to make sure it is seen by as wide an audience as possible.”

Details on the films premiering on VOD:

BOOKER‘S PLACE: A MISSISSIPPI STORY, directed by Raymond De Felitta. (USA) – World Premiere in TFF’s Spotlight section. In 1965, filmmaker Frank De Felitta made a documentary for NBC News about the changing times in Mississippi that featured Booker Wright – an African-American waiter who worked in a “whites only” restaurant. Booker went on national television and exploded the myth of who he was and his position serving the white community. 46 years later, Frank’s son, director Raymond De Felitta (CITY ISLAND, TWO FAMILY HOUSE), documents a journey into the past and current-day Mississippi with Booker’s granddaughter, in search of who Booker Wright was, the intricacies surrounding his courageous life and untimely murder, and the role Frank De Felitta’s documentary may have played in it. BOOKER’S PLACE will begin a theatrical release on April 25 in L.A. and April 27 in New York.

DEATH OF A SUPERHERO, directed by Ian Fitzgibbon, written by Anthony McCarten. (Ireland, Germany) – U.S. premiere in TFF’s Viewpoints section. Donald is a teenager with extraordinary talents, wild daydreams, and a bright future as an artist of fantastical graphic novels. But when Donald discovers that a very real enemy is trying to kill him, an unorthodox psychologist tries to help him find the light in an otherwise dark world. Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Andy Serkis and Aisling Loftus star in this exceptionally honest drama about discovering life, love, and death. DEATH OF A SUPERHERO will have a limited theatrical release beginning May 4.

THE GIANT MECHANICAL MAN, directed and written by Lee Kirk. (USA) – World Premiere in TFF’s Spotlight section. Thirty-somethings Janice (Jenna Fischer) and Tim (Chris Messina) haven’t quite learned how to navigate adulthood. Tim is a street performer whose unique talents as a “living statue” don’t exactly pay the bills. Janice is out of work and under pressure by her sister (Malin Akerman) to date an egotistical self–help guru (Topher Grace). In this charming comedic romance, these two strangers help each other to realize that it only takes one person to make you feel important. THE GIANT MECHANICAL MAN will have a limited theatrical release starting April 27 in New York.

SLEEPLESS NIGHT (Nuit Blanche), directed by Frederic Jardin, written by Frederic Jardin and Nicolas Saada. (France, Belgium, Luxembourg) – New York Premiere in TFF’s Cinemania section. Vincent is a dedicated police officer, or so it seems. After he steals a massive bag of cocaine, his young son winds up being held for ransom by the mob boss it belongs to. When Vincent travels to the outskirts of Paris to trade the drugs for his son, he gets caught in an intense cat–and–mouse game that quickly spirals out of control. This night might not only be the longest of his life – it could be the last. SLEEPLESS NIGHT will have a limited theatrical release beginning May 11 in New York.

The Tribeca Film website, www.tribecafilm.com/tribecafilm, has an easy-to-use guide to all of its titles