Beyond Clueless team to self-distribute in UK

The filmmakers behind SXSW and Sheffield Doc Fest documentary Beyond Clueless are to self-distribute the film in the UK.

The documentary, an insight into the soul of the teen movie, as seen through the eyes of over 200 modern coming-of-age films, will hit ten screens across the UK as part of a roadshow spearheaded by director Charlie Lyne and co-producer Catherine Bray.

The screenings will include Q&As and themed frat parties and will be followed by another self-funded release on January 23 that will include live-scored screenings and teen movie double-bills.

The film will then play at Picturehouses at the end of January via the circuit’s Discover Tuesdays slot.

VOD releases are currently being negotiated by New York-based sales outfit Film Sales Company.

“Having seen what invariably happens to smaller films with scattershot release strategies, the last thing we wanted to do was have Beyond Clueless end up in a bunch of disparate sites, playing to empty rooms,” director and journalist Lyne told Screen.

“Instead, we wanted each screening of the film to have its own character, offering the audience something unique, whether that’s a Q&A, an after party or a live score from Summer Camp, who wrote the film’s soundtrack. We didn’t want to book in any shows that we ourselves wouldn’t want to attend.”

“When we made this film in Charlie’s bedroom, our plans for it were very low key”, added Bray, who also writes about film. “We were basically hoping to rent a room above a pub and show it there. So screening at dozens of festivals around the world, having it picked up by international distributors, and now releasing it theatrically across the UK, is beyond anything we ever imagined.”